Today’s Newport Winter Festival schedule beings ample opportunity for exploration. Meander through the newly renovated International Tennis Hall of Fame or discover the story of Colonial Newport on a walking tour through town. Later, wander through the enchanting display of lights at the illuminated garden at Ballard Park, and warm up with the highly anticipated annual hot drink contest. Enjoy!
The Island Skating Academy Skate Camp | 8:30-10 am
Newport Skating Center, 4 Commercial Wharf, Newport
Cost: Weeklong camp is $100; $85 with bracelet.
Drop-ins: $30; $25 with bracelet.
Open to all ages and levels
Make Your Own Marshmallow Snowman | 9:30am-3:30pm
Destination Chocolate, 15 Bowen’s Wharf, Newport
Create your own marshmallow snowman and satisfy your sweet tooth while expressing your imagination as you make your own marshmallow snowman. Fun for all ages.
$6; $5 with bracelet. 401.847.1223.
Christopher “Kavi” Carbone Musical Entertainment | 10am
Hotel Viking, One Bellevue Ave, Newport.
Musical Entertainment for all ages. Enjoy live music, treats and refreshments. $3; free with bracelet.
Seal Watch Cruises | 10am & 11am
Save The Bay, boat departs from The Wyndham Inn Wharf at 142 Long Wharf Dock
Join expert guides aboard one of Save the Bay’s educational vessels for a one-hour cruise and educational view of winter marine visitors and the habitat they love. Motor through historic Newport Harbor and take in 360° views of harbor seals resting on Citing Rock off of Rose Island and the Newport Bridge. Binoculars are provided and boats are partially enclosed, but the Bay can be chilly so dress warmly. Special two-hour tours include a tour of historic Rose Island Lighthouse.
All programs are weather dependent. Reservations are strongly recommended. For more information visit savebay.org, at Bowen’s Wharf Pilot House, or call Save The Bay at 401.203.SEAL. Buy tickets online or at the dock, use promo code “Winterfest2016” to receive %10 off Winter Festival Bracelet Discount! Adults: $22; $20 with bracelet, Children & Seniors: $17; $15 with bracelet; Children under 3 free.
Daily Departures: Sat. 2/13 and Sun. 2/14 special 2hr tours at 1pm & 2pm, One hour tours Mon- Fri at 10am & 11am, Sat & Sun at 11am & 12pm
Kids Activity – Make Your Own Hanging Jellyfish | 10-11am
The Wharf Pub, 37 Bowen’s Wharf, Newport
Art project – Make your own jellyfish. $5; $4 with bracelet. 401.619.2640.
Horseback Riding Beach Trail Rides | 10am, 12pm, & 2pm
Newport Equestrian Academy, 281 Third Beach Road, Middletown
15% off regular prices with bracelet. One and a half hour ride to Third Beach & two hour ride to Second Beach. Must call for reservations. 401.848.5440.
Take a Picture with Tinsel McBlizzard the Snowman | 10am-2pm
Newport Visitor Center, 23 Americas Cup Ave., Newport
Free event.
Kids Design your Own Tumbler | 10am-3pm
Tervis Tumbler, 192 Thames St., Newport
Design your own tumbler and receive 20% off that tumbler with bracelet. 401.845.5070
Newport Mansion Tours | 10am-4pm
The Breakers, The Elms, Marble House
Tour the historic summer homes of Newport’s Elite. Admission: Prices between $15- $26; $2 off with bracelet, Youth under 18 free when accompanied by an adult with bracelet. 401.847.1000.
Save The Bay Exploration Center and Aquarium | 10am-4pm
Exploration Center & Aquarium, Easton’s Beach, 175 Memorial Blvd., Newport
Save the Bay’s interactive marine science learning center houses more than 30 exhibits and hundreds of creatures that call Narragansett Bay home. This engaging aquarium includes touch tanks with a wide diversity of Bay life, plus interactive activities and crafts related to their monthly theme, “Sensational Seals of Rhode Island.” Exhibits feature Smooth Dogfish Sharks, Little Skates, Chain Catsharks and all of the tropical migrants we found this summer in the bay, just to name a few! The newest feature is the largest exhibit ever displayed in their aquarium, The Big Fish of The Bay, which shows off many of the larger fish species that call Narragansett Bay home. Admission: $8; $7 with bracelet, Seniors and Military ID $7, Save The Bay members and children under 3 are free. 401.324.6020.
Bite Me Live Bait DIY T-Shirt Artwork | 10am-5pm
Bite Me Live Bait Co., 337 Thames St., Newport
Bring your creativity and we’ll supply the t-shirts, magic markers, and paints. Sit down and create your artwork directly onto white t-shirts. Wear your masterpiece proudly. $20 per person; $16 with bracelet. 401.662.9292.
Daily Wine Tasting at Newport Vineyards | 10am-5pm
909 East Main Road, Middletown.
Wine Tastings Offered Daily
Daily tours at 1:00pm & 3:00pm
Reservations required for groups of 6 or more 401.848.5161
Museum Tours & Scavenger Hunts at the International Tennis Hall of Fame | 10am–5 pm
194 Bellevue Avenue, Newport
Interactive exhibits include a tennis trivia touch table, You Call the Match – a sportscaster recording booth, and a one-of-a-kind Roger Federer hologram. More than just a collection of memorabilia, the museum at the Hall of Fame is a collection of stories—brought to life through state-of-the-art technology and multimedia displays. Through tennis artifacts, fashion, photos, and more, the new museum showcases the inspiring stories of tennis’ greatest legends on and off the court. From the birth of tennis in 12th century Europe through the champions of today, you’ll get a unique perspective on how tennis evolved and how its personalities influenced fashion, culture, and society. Guided tours at 11 am daily. Free Museum Scavenger Hunts make it fun for the whole family to experience the museum together.
Free Admission for kids ages 16 and under, $15 for adults; $10 for adults with bracelet. Visit http://www.tennisfame.com or call 401-849-3990 for more information.
Newport Playhouse & Cabaret Restaurant | 11am
102 Connell Highway, Newport
Enjoy a buffet in the dining room then watch the main stage show “The Foursome” in the intimate theater. After the show, your dinner table awaits you for a hilariously funny cabaret. “The Foursome”- Rick, Ted, Donnie, and Cameron are home for their fifteenth college reunion. During the weekend, the men go out for a game of golf, and it is during this game that the four get caught up on each other’s lives since their college days. $49.95; $39.95 with bracelet. newportplayhouse.com 401.848.7529.
Discover Colonial Newport Walking Tour | 11am
Brick Market: Museum & Shop, 127 Thames St., Newport
Hear stories of revolution and ruin, struggles for religious liberty and remarkable entrepreneurship among Newport’s diverse people. $15 per person; $12 with Newport Winter Festival bracelet; $10 with bracelet for repeat tour guests. Weather permitting; space is limited. 401.841.8770.
Greenvale Vineyards Wine Tasting | 11am-4pm
Greenvale Vineyards, 582 Wapping R., Portsmouth
Winery Tours start at 2pm and include 7 wines and a wine glass. Enjoy samples of award winning, estate-grown wine from this 50-acre family farm now operating as a vineyard. Weather permitting. 15% discount off wine purchases with bracelet. 401.847.3777.
Make Your Own Winter Themed Soap | 11am-5pm
Newport Sea Foam Trading Co., 415 Thames St., Newport
Great for all ages. Guests create and design their own soap while learning the art of soap making. $10 per person; $8 with bracelet. 401.743.7685.
Cosmetic Cosmos Mother/Daughter Makeover | 12-5pm
Cosmetic Cosmos, 433 Thames St., #1 Lee’s Wharf Entrance, Newport
Mother/Daughter Makeovers by appointment only by expert make-up artist. Make up and skin care tailored to your unique skin type, coloring and age. Relaxed atmosphere at a new location. $50 per person; $30 per person & 15% discount on all products purchased with bracelet.
Appointments: email admin@cosmeticcosmos.com or call 401.842.0666.
Make your own Perfume | 12-5pm
Newport Aromatherapy, 109 Bellevue Ave., Newport.
Girls and boys, men and ladies event. Learn to create aromatherapy perfume blends with healer and chemist, Cynthia LaBonte. $12; $10 with bracelet. 401.846.1101.
Newport Storm Beer and Rum Tastings | 12-5pm
Newport Storm Brewery, 293 JT Connell Rd., Newport
Located in the north end of Newport, Newport Storm Brewery and Thomas Tew Rum Distillery is open daily (closed to public Tuesdays) from 12–5pm for tastings and production floor tours. In their 15 years of operation, they have made more than 40 unique beers and brought back Newport’s famous colonial rum tradition. Sample fresh beer and aged rum at Rhode Island’s Microbrewery and Distillery. Beer Tour: $9; $8 with bracelet. Rum Tour: $10; $9 with bracelet. 401.849.5232.
16th Annual “Live Jazz for Kids” at Greenvale Vineyards | 1-4pm
Greenvale Vineyards, 582 Wapping Rd., Portsmouth
Our musicians are vocalists Tish Adams and Dick Lupino on bass and guest musician Yvonne Monnett. The artists will entertain guests with songs kids know and love in a jazz setting incorporated with old time standards. Complimentary refreshments will be served for the kids and wine tasting will be available for purchase for adults. Free & open to the public. 401.847.3777.
Create your own Dog Bottle Bank | 1-4pm
Potter League For Animals, 87 Oliphant Ln. Middletown
Creating a dog bottle bank from recycled water bottles. Kids will love saving their loose change in their new homemade bank! $8 per person; $5 with bracelet.
Watch Pottery Demonstration | 1-5pm
All Fired Up Pottery, 452 Thames St., Newport
Experience the art of making pottery. Space is limited so if you can’t watch the first show come back for the next one. Shows are every 20 minutes. Free. 401.846.4042.
28th Annual Nacho Tasting | 2-4pm
Brick Alley Pub, 140 Thames St., Newport
Sample Award Winning Nachos. Free with bracelet and purchase of a beverage. One free sample per day. 401.849.6334.
Kids Tennis Clinic | 2:30-3:30pm
International Tennis Hall of Fame, 194 Bellevue Ave., Newport
Kids ages 5-10 will learn to love the game with USTA 10 & under tennis, which uses age appropriate racquets, balls, and special equipment to enhance a child’s tennis experience on court. Children ages 11-15 will be offered an introductory clinic with our talented teaching staff tailored to their skill level and experience.
$10 per child; $8 with Winter Festival bracelet
Class size is limited. Advance registration required. Call 401-849-4777 to reserve your place today! Juniors may sign-up for either Tuesday or Thursday, unless space permits for both days.
Ice Bar in the Courtyard | 4-8pm
Hotel Viking, One Bellevue Ave., Newport
Enjoy seasonal cocktails and refreshments served at our Ice Bar in the glistening Courtyard. Cash Bar. 401.848.4814
Newport’s Black Giants: Race, Sport and Community | 5:30pm
Newport Historical Society Resource Center, 82 Touro St., Newport
Sports historian Robert Cvornyek will discuss how late 19th and early 20th century black athletic clubs, fraternal and civic organizations, and local neighborhood associations sponsored semi-professional and amateur teams that regularly competed against each other and nearby white teams. He will share how minority players transformed the city’s ball fields into public spaces dedicated to the struggle for equality. $5; $4 with bracelet.
PJ & Movie Night at Steppin’ Out| 6-8pm
Steppin’ Out Dance Studio, 35 Dyer St., Portsmouth
The night will include a children’s movie, popcorn and drinks, and arts and crafts. Parents can drop off the kids or stay and join in the fun. Our large, open space has plenty of room and free wifi. $8 per child; $5 with bracelet; Adults are free. *Don’t forget your pillow and blanket and be sure to wear your PJ’s with socks and sneakers/tennis shoes.
Space is limited to 30 children, Reserve your spot by calling 401.293.5720 or emailing lisa@steppinoutdancestudio.com
11th Annual Illuminated Garden | 6-9pm
Ballard Park, Hazard Rd., Newport.
Thousands of lights displayed in the three-acre quarry meadow. Free
Brian Miller Magic | 6:30pm
Hyatt Regency, 1 Goat Island, Newport
Brian performs his unique blend of magic, puzzles and mind games mixed with a healthy dose of humor at 200+ events per year throughout New England and across the country. Brian is also a keynote speaker and youth motivational speaker. He delivered a TEDx talk that has inspired more than one million. Get ready for jaw dropping magic, and laugh-out-loud comedy. Tickets will be sold at the door $7; $3 with bracelet.
Annual Best Hot Drink Contest | 8pm
The Red Parrot Restaurant, 348 Thames St., Newport
The competitions heats up as judges determine the Best Hot Drink in Newport! Local bars and restaurants are invited to compete for the Festival Plaque. Guests will get to sample the delightful concoctions as well as enjoy drink specials. To enter, contact the Red Parrot 401.847.3140. Contestants must provide their own liquor, garnishes and glassware. Free admission.