Christmas, Holiday Events In North Kingstown: Tree Lightings, More

NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI — There is no shortage of things to do around North Kingstown to get the winter holiday season off to a rollicking good start.

Christmas and Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival of lights, intersect this year, with Hanukkah running Dec. 18-26. Christmas, of course, is on Dec. 25, but you don’t have to wait to start taking in all the sights and sounds of the holidays.

In North Kingstown, there are several events happening this holiday season. They include:

• Christmas at the Castle
• Wickford Festival of Lights

There's also a tree lighting in Newport. it's the 50th anniversary and will happen at 6 p.m., Saturday, at Bowen's Wharf. There's also a day full of festive activities for the whole family beforehand, beginning at 12:30 p.m.

Christmas parades — often complete with Santa Claus, festively decorated floats and marching bands — are a holiday tradition, both nationally and locally.

• See Newport Illuminated Boat Parade's Rescheduled Date

Several big parades are taking place this year, including the Mayor’s Annual Christmas Parade in Baltimore City, Maryland; the Target Holidazzle Parade in Minneapolis; and the Christmas Boat Parade in Newport Beach, California.

Holiday lighting displays are another holiday favorite. Some to catch in the Providence area are:

• Roger Williams Park Zoo Holiday Lights Spectacular
• Gillette Stadium 'Magic Of Lights'