About the Committee Founded in 1987, the Committee is a nonprofit organization that hosts family-oriented holiday activities for the young and young-at-heart. In addition to the Festival s signature Grand Illumination, the committee sponsors a children s story time, breakfast with Santa Claus, and a tour for seniors of istol s holiday decorations. It also annually presents the Spirit of Christmas Award. Visit: www.christmasistolri.com. BRISTOL About the istol Merchants Association The istol Merchants Association is an association of istol merchants and organizations that enhance the business environment for the profitability of its members through mutual cooperation by common marketing advocacy, event hosting and sharing of best business practices. CELEBRATES THE CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2018
Friday, November 16 Saturday, November 17 istol Merchants Holiday Preview Downtown istol s Night to Shine! 5 9 pm. Shop, dine and stroll to see what treats local businesses have to offer this holiday season. Merchants have special surprises these nights and this stroll kicks off the 10th Annual istol Merchants Association Snowflake Raffle with double tickets for every $25 purchase at participating merchants. Info: Email harborbathandbody@cox.net. Saturday, November 24 Shop Small / Shop Local Small Business Saturday 10 am 6 pm. Show your favorite istol small businesses how much you appreciate them. Look for balloons at participating businesses where there will be special deals for those shopping small. Shop local and show your support for your local businesses that always support your community, your schools and your town! Saturday, December 1 Grand Illumination 4:45 6 pm. Burnside Building, 400 Hope Street. Signature event of the Christmas season. Festivities kick off with area student and artist performances. Just before 6 pm, the man in red arrives from the North Pole to flip the switch that lights the town Christmas tree and giant snowflake hanging over Hope Street. Free. Info: www.christmasbristolri.com. Saturday, December 1 Reading of The Night Before Christmas Nat Sq u atrito P hotogr 6 pm. St. Michael s Church, 399 Hope Street. Step out of the cold after enjoying the Grand Illumination for the annual reading of The Night Before Christmas. Free. Info: www.christmasbristolri.com.
Saturday, December 22 gr o Photo uatrit Nat Sq 10th Annual istol Snowflake Raffle Sunday, December 2 Annual Pancake eakfast with Santa Claus 8 am 12 noon. Mt. Hope High School, 199 Chestnut Street. Santa Claus joins families for a yummy pancake breakfast. Face painting, balloon twisting, Christmas crafts, raffles and magic show, along with free keepsake photos with Santa. Tickets at door: $5; free for children 5 and under. Info: www.christmasbristolri.com. Saturday, December 8 4-6 pm. Lower State Street. Shop local at participating merchants between November 16 and December 21. Earn as many tickets as possible for a chance at one of several cash prizes. Look for the big snowflake at participating businesses (see list on istol Merchants Association Facebook page). Festivities begin at 4 pm with live music and Extensions School of Dance performance. Join Jack Frost and Santa Claus at 5 pm for ticket drawing. Your ticket must be present to win. Free. Info: Email harborbathandbody@cox.net. Christmas Story Time 1 3 pm. Rogers Free Library, 525 Hope Street. This year members of the istol Fire Department and its Ladies Auxiliary read from Christmas classics and classics to be. Join other families for holiday cheer, and thank our brave firefighters and their loved ones for all they do to keep our town safe. Free. Info: www.christmasbristolri.com.
Thursday Sunday, November 15 18 Twelve Angry Jurors Thursday Sunday, 7 pm. Sunday, 2 pm. Mt. Hope High School Performing Arts Center, 199 Chestnut Street. The holiday season kicks off when the Mt. Hope Masqueraders present a courtroom drama about the deliberations of a homicide trial jury. Tickets: $10; $5 for seniors, students and children. Info: virginia.boyle@bwrsd.org. Friday, November 16 Friendsgiving at Mount Hope Farm 6 pm. The Barn at Mount Hope Farm, 250 Metacom Avenue. Kick off the holiday season at the Farm s annual Friendsgiving. The Barn is festively decorated and delicious cuisine and beverages are offered. Tickets: $85. Info: www.mounthopefarm.org or 401-254-1745. Saturday, November 17 Harvest Moon Fair 10 am 3 pm. First Congregational Church, 300 High Street. Pictures with Santa add to this traditional church fair that also features Ten Thousand Villages Fair Trade booth, bake sale, lobster rolls, a silent auction and live music. Info: www.fccbristol.org or 401-253-7288. Sunday, November 18 Winter Marketplace 1 2:30 pm and 2:30 4 pm. Blithewold Mansion, 101 Ferry Street. The Shop at Blithewold and local traders, purveyors of fine goods, artisans and artists, and food companies sell their wares in the Visitors Center. Tickets: Free for members, $7 nonmembers, $3 nonmember children. Advance registration for selected time required. Info and registration: www.blithewold.org. Friday, November 23 Sparkle! An Outdoor Family Event 5 pm, 6 pm and 7 pm (see website). Blithewold Mansion, 101 Ferry Street. Holiday fun for the entire family in Blithewold s illuminated gardens and greenhouse. Enjoy singing with carolers and hot cocoa and s mores around a bonfire in Blithewold s Enclosed Garden. (Also held December 14 and 21.) Includes admission to mansion. Tickets: Preregistration required; see website for details and ticket pricing. Info: www.blithewold.org. Ongoing: Tuesdays Fridays November 23 December 28 Afternoon Tea in the Blithewold Dining Room 1 pm and 3 pm. Blithewold Mansion, 101 Ferry Street. Enjoy the history of the Blithewold dining room with friends while delighting in tea and treats. Tickets include admission to mansion and grounds. Tickets: Preregistration required; $24 members, $32 nonmembers. Info: www.blithewold.org. Saturday, November 24 Christmas Community Aid Drive Kick Off 5 7 pm. Jacky s Galaxie Restaurant, 383 Metacom Avenue. The Ladies Auxiliary of the istol Fire Department collects new unwrapped toys, gently used and new winter apparel, nonperishable food, gift cards and monetary donations for less fortunate community residents. Christmas carols, face painting, balloon artist, arts/crafts and pastry buffet, plus a visit from Santa Claus. Tickets: Free with gift or donation. Info or free pick up of donations: 401-580-2386.
Friday, November 30 Wood Street Christmas Tree Lighting 6 pm. istol Industrial Park Entrance, 500 Wood Street. Join Mosaico Community Development Corporation, the istol Industrial Park and Santa Claus for the annual lighting of the neighborhood s holiday tree. Cookies and cider served. Free. Info: 401-253-2135. Ongoing: November 30 December 16 It s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play istol Theatre Company, 235 High Street. This 1940s-style radio play includes live sound effects and commercial jingles. A presentation of the istol Theatre Company and JMG Theatre. Evening (7:30 pm) and matinee (2 pm) performances. Info on specific dates/times: www.bristoltheatrecompany.org. Saturday, December 1 Photos with Santa and Annual Tree Sale 9 am 5 pm. Audubon Society of Rhode Island, 1401 Hope Street. The Audubon Society, in partnership with East Bay Newspapers, offers pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus which later appear in our local newspaper. Also kids crafts, bake sale and freshly cut Christmas trees from a local farm. Free. Donations to food bank appreciated. Info: www.asri.org or www.eastbayri.com. Sunday, December 2 Holiday Zumbathon Charity Event 1 2:30 pm (registration 12:30 pm). Quinta-Gamelin Community Center, 101 Asylum Road. The Parks and Recreation Department holds a special Zumbathon event to benefit the RI Community Food Bank. Free. Monetary and/or food donations accepted. Info: 401-253-1611. Sunday, December 2 The Many Moods of Christmas 3 pm. St. Mary s Church, 330 Wood Street. Classical and contemporary Christmas music with chorus and orchestra, presented by istol County Interfaith Choir. Tickets: $20 from chorus members, at Paper Packaging & Panache (418 Hope Street), John Hale Library, Warren, or www.brownpapertickets.com. Info: 401-253-8106. Tuesday, December 4 Senior Bus Tour 6 pm. istol Senior Center, 1020 Hope Street. The istol Christmas Festival Committee s annual opportunity for seniors to take a bus tour to see light displays all over town, followed by a Christmas Party at istol Senior Center with refreshments, entertainment and a visit from Santa Claus. Tickets: Free; registration required by visiting Senior Center. Info: www.bristolsrctr.org or www.christmasbristolri.com. Tuesday, December 4 A Christmas Carol 7:30 pm. Trinity Rep Theater, 201 Washington Street, Providence. The Mt. Hope High School Vocal Ensemble performs as part of the Trinity Rep s production of A Christmas Carol. Tickets: see Trinity Rep website. Info: www.trinityrep.com/mthope or 401-351-4242. Thursday, December 6 Senior Citizen s Christmas Party 5 pm. Mt. Hope High School, 199 Chestnut Street. Sponsored by the istol Department of Parks and Recreation, Mt. Hope High School and Benjamin Church Senior Center. Enjoy a delicious chicken dinner and dessert. The high school Jazz Band, Choir and Vocal Ensemble entertain. Tickets: $1; attendees must be istol resident senior citizens. Tickets at Parks and Recreation Department, Senior Center (401-253-8458) and Franklin Court (401-254-1010, ext. 1107). Info: 401-253-1611.
Friday, December 7 ing Back the Magic: A Musical 7 pm. Kickemuit Middle School Performing Arts Center, 525 Child Street, Warren. A Neverland Children s Theatre presentation with local children in a musical where, after a tragedy, buddies band together to restore holiday magic through faith, trust and pixie dust. Tickets: $20 reserved seats; $10 general adult admission; $5 general child admission. Info: www.neverlandchildrenstheatre.com or 401-965-5379. Friday, December 7 Michael DiMucci Christmas Concert 7:30 pm. Linden Place Mansion, 500 Hope Street. Fireside concert in the carriage house style ballroom with a mix of classical numbers, Christmas standards, and audience sing-a-long. Tickets: $20 for nonmembers, $15 for Linden Place members, $10 for Colt Circle members. Reservations required. Info: www.lindenplace.org or 401-253-0390. Saturday, December 8 Christmas in New York City 6 am midnight. Annual NYC bus trip for holiday shopping and sightseeing, with dinner at Sol Mar Restaurant, Newark, NJ. Sponsored by Avila s Services. Bus leaves from istol. Tickets: $95. Info: 401-996-2020. Saturday, December 8 ing Back the Magic: A Musical 1 pm. Kickemuit Middle School Performing Arts Center, 525 Child Street, Warren. See Friday, December 7 for details. Sunday, December 9 Michael DiMucci Christmas Concert 2 pm. Linden Place Mansion, 500 Hope Street. See Friday, December 7 for details. Sunday, December 9 Alternative Christmas Giving Project 11 am 1 pm. First Congregational Church, 300 High Street. Help identify partners in ministry who serve community needs that the church is unable to do by itself. An opportunity to give gifts/donations in honor or memory of a loved one that have meaning beyond Christmas Day. Open to both church members and the community at large. Free. Info: 401-253-7288. Saturday, December 14 Annual Cookie Walk Fundraiser 10 am 12 noon. First Congregational Church, 300 High Street. Choose from a wide assortment of homemade cookies ($8 per pound) to use as gifts or part of your Christmas celebration. Holiday decorated cookie tins also available. Info: 401-253-7288. Ongoing through December 12 Holiday Toy Drive Gil s Appliances, 397 Metacom Avenue. New, unwrapped toys may be dropped off during normal business hours in support of RI s Child & Family s Adopt-A-Family Program. Info: gilsappliances.com/flyers or email info@gilsappliances.com. Friday, December 14 Robbie O Connell Celtic Concert 7:30 pm. Linden Place Mansion, 500 Hope Street. Rose Clancy on fiddle and Robbie O Connell on guitar and vocals celebrate the season in the Celtic tradition. This fireside performance ranges from little-known Kilmore carols of Wexford to the Irish-American vaudeville stage, plus pieces from both Christian and Pagan winter solstice traditions. Tickets: $20 for nonmembers, $15 for Linden Place members. Info: www.lindenplace.org or 401-253-0390.
Friday, December 14 Sparkle! An Outdoor Family Event 5 pm, 6 pm and 7 pm (see website). Blithewold Mansion, 101 Ferry Street. See Friday, November 23 for details. Saturday, December 15 Children s Christmas Party 9:30 11:30 am. Quinta-Gamelin Community Center, 101 Asylum Road. Open to children in Kindergarten through Grade 5 and their families. Event includes gifts, crafts, music, refreshments and a visit from Santa. Tickets: Free; children encouraged to donate a food item for the East Bay Food Pantry. Info: 401-253-1611. Deck the Door Contest istol residents and businesses can win bragging rights for the most festively decorated doorway in one of four themes: Traditional/Victorian, North Pole Fun, Seaside Christmas or Classic Christmas Movies. Entries due December 13. Judging December 15. Winners announced December 22 at the 10th Annual istol Snowflake Raffle. To enter, complete the form at www.christmasbristolri.com/decorate. Saturday, December 15 Holiday Family Day 1 4 pm. Linden Place Mansion, 500 Hope Street, and istol Art Museum, 10 Wardwell Street. Performance in the Linden Place Ballroom by the Holiday Handbell Ringers of Providence s Wheeler School, a live Santa Sketch in the Art Museum s galleries, photo op with Santa in the mansion plus other holiday festivities. Tickets: Free with donation to Toys for Tots. Info: www.lindenplace.org or 401-253-0390. Saturday, December 15 10th Annual Sweet Spirit of Christmas 4 7 pm. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church Parish Center, 131 State Street. Get in the holiday spirit with complimentary refreshments, including homemade Christmas cookies and candies. Quarts of homemade pasta sauce for sale. Plus, raffle baskets and poinsettias that make wonderful Christmas gifts. Christmas raffle with prizes of $1,000, $100 and $50. Tickets: Free admission. Info: 401-253-9499. Sunday, December 16 10th Annual Sweet Spirit of Christmas 8 am 12 noon. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church Parish Center, 131 State Street. See Saturday, December 15 for details. Tuesday, December 18 Annual High School Holiday Concert 7 pm. Mt. Hope High School, 199 Chestnut Street. Annual Holiday Concert by the High School Performing Arts Department featuring the Mt. Hope Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Vocal Ensemble, Chorus and Guitar Ensemble. Tickets: $5; free for seniors, students and children. Info: virginia.boyle@bwrsd.org. Wednesday, December 19 Annual Middle School Band Concert 7 pm. Kickemuit Middle School Performing Arts Center, 525 Child Street, Warren. Join the 7th and 8th grade Middle School Band as it presents its annual Holiday Concert. Tickets: Free; donations to support the school s music program accepted. Info: melissa.labonte@bwrsd.org.
Thursday, December 20 Annual Middle School Chorus Concert 7 pm. Kickemuit Middle School Performing Arts Center, 525 Child Street, Warren. Join the 6th, 7th and 8th grade Middle School Chorus as it presents its annual Holiday Concert. Tickets: Free; donations to support the school s music program accepted. Info: andre.arsenault@bwrsd.org. Friday, December 21 Sparkle! An Outdoor Family Event 5 pm, 6 pm and 7 pm (see website). Blithewold Mansion, 101 Ferry Street. See Friday, November 23 for details. Saturday, December 22 The Nutcracker at Providence Performing Arts Center 1 pm bus departure; 2 pm show. Buses leave from the Quinta-Gamelin Community Center. Join Clara and her Nutcracker Prince on a magical journey as the Festival Ballet Providence shares the magic and splendor of the holiday season. Tickets: $35 includes bus; purchase at the Community Center. Info: 401-253-1611. Monday, December 24 Santa Visits Christmas Eve Services 4 pm and 7 pm. St. Mary s Church, 330 Wood Street. Santa Claus attends the two Christmas Eve Masses to talk about the true meaning of Christmas with picture taking after each Mass. Info: www.stmarybristolri.org or 401-253-3300. Thursday, December 27 Cooking for the Birds 11 am. Audubon Society of Rhode Island, 1401 Hope Street. Young birding enthusiasts, ages 6 and over, become bird chefs and create unique and tasty dishes for feathered friends in their backyards. Free with admission. Info: www.asri.org. Thursday, December 27 Saturday, December 29 December School Vacation Week at Audubon 10 am 2:30 pm. Audubon Society of Rhode Island, 1401 Hope Street. Winter fun for all ages. Special programs and activities daily including nature craft (10 am 2 pm), nature story time (10:30 am and 2:30 pm) and an animal interview (1:30 pm). Free with admission; registration not required. Info: www.asri.org. Friday, December 28 Owl Pellet Dissection 11 am. Audubon Society of Rhode Island, 1401 Hope Street. Learn how owls hunt. Use simple and safe tools to take apart an owl pellet. Identify the bones inside and discover what your owl ate. For ages 6 and over. Free with admission. Info: www.asri.org. Friday, December 28 Windharp Concert 7:30 pm. Linden Place Mansion, 500 Hope Street. Begin New Year s weekend with a musical performance by RI s folk group, Windharp. Seasonal music carols, sacred songs and joyful wassail tunes from the itish Isles and Celtic lands. Tickets: $20 for nonmembers, $15 for Linden Place members, free for Colt Circle members. Info: www.lindenplace.org or 401-253-0390. Saturday, December 29 Icy Investigation 11 am. Audubon Society of Rhode Island, 1401 Hope Street. Discover the science behind ice! Kids ages 6 and over investigate what makes ice melt, why it floats, and more. Free with admission. Info: www.asri.org.