Jack-O-Lantern SpectacularProvidence
nightly 6 to 10:30, October 1 to November 1
Over 5,000 hand carved glowing pumpkins along a trail at the zoo, and this year the theme is puns, so get ready for dad jokes carved in pumpkins.
Fall in Providence and Newport1 things
The ones people drive in from other counties for. Most of them run the whole season, so you don't have to pick a weekend yet.
The little stuff, by town0 things
The city Halloween parties and the trunk or treats and the free stuff. Cities post their 2026 dates late, so anything marked "check the date" gets fixed the second it's announced.
The cities post these in early November. Check back.
For the rest of your list
These don't need an address, tap them and they go on your list with everything else.
Christmas in Providence and Newport3 things
Most of these post their 2026 dates in the fall, so these show last year's windows. The Newport Mansions and the Polar Express both sell out, so book early.
Blackstone Valley Polar ExpressWoonsocket
late November through December · check the date
A 90 minute train ride with hot chocolate, a cookie, the story read out loud and Santa, and the conductor punches your golden ticket.
Holidays at the Newport MansionsNewport
late November through New Year's Day · check the date
The Gilded Age mansions decked out with almost 30 trees and a 15 foot poinsettia tree, and a half mile path of lights outside The Breakers.
Newport Illuminated Boat ParadeNewport
the Friday after Thanksgiving · check the date
Boats all lit up for Christmas sailing around Newport Harbor.
Town Christmas stuff
The town stuff, and I'll add the tree lightings as the cities post them in November.
Christmas in Providence
Three Nights of Lights
early December · check the date
Free light installations, tree lightings and holiday markets around the city.
Christmas in Newport
Bowen's Wharf Tree Lighting
the first Saturday in December, tree at 6 · check the date
Santa arrives and then the tree on the wharf lights up.
Christmas in North Kingstown
Wickford Village Festival of Lights
the first weekend in December · check the date
A little harbor village all lit up for its festival of lights.
Christmas in Bristol
Bristol Christmas Festival
the first weekend in December · check the date
Bristol's Christmas weekend with its Grand Illumination.
Christmas in Westerly
Westerly Light Parade
a mid December evening · check the date
A lit up parade through downtown Westerly.
For the rest of your Christmas list
This is the at-home stuff, tap them and they go on your list with the lights and the train.
put it on the wall
Turn your Christmas picks into a real bucket list
Tap the lights and the trains and the town stuff you want and pick the Christmas design you like, and I'll hold onto your picks. The Christmas lists are coming soon, and the second they're up your picks drop straight into the slots.
Good any weekend0 things
The stuff that doesn't need a date, for the Saturday when nothing's going on.
Providence and Newport fall and Christmas questions
When is the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular in 2026?
October 1 to November 1, 2026 at Roger Williams Park Zoo, nightly 6 to 10:30. Tickets are online only.
When are Holidays at the Newport Mansions?
Usually late November through New Year's Day, with timed tickets for the lights at The Breakers.
who's writing this
Hi, I'm Amy.
We roadschool six kids out of a van. I'm just a mom with a Ford Transit and a lot of opinions about corn mazes, so if something on here is wrong, or your town's party is missing, email me at hello@bellebucket.com and I'll fix it.
put it on the wall
Turn your picks into a real bucket list
Tap the ones you want and I'll drop them onto whichever fall design you pick, then you add your own stuff (birthdays, carving pumpkins, whatever your family does). It prints big, like 24x36 big, and it hangs on the wall all season.