The Preservation Society of Newport County — aka “Newport Mansions” — has announced six weeks of holiday programming and events including “A Musical Retelling of ‘A Christmas Carol,’” performed by Skylark and narrated by Christine Baranski, a Holiday Dinner Dance and the return of the beloved annual “Sparkling Lights” — all at The Breakers.
An Emmy-and Tony Award-winning actress, Baranski is one of the current stars of Julian Fellowes’ “The Gilded Age” on HBO. She will join Skylark, one of the world’s leading vocal ensembles led by Grammy-nominated Artistic Director Matthew Guard, for “A Musical Retelling of ‘A Christmas Carol,’” this exclusive one-night-only musical retelling of the Charles Dickens classic, “A Christmas Carol,” on Thursday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m.
Now in its seventh season, “Sparkling Lights at The Breakers” (Nov. 21–Dec. 27, 4–8 p.m.), brings the magic of the holidays to this landmark Gilded Age mansion. Stroll along a half-mile-long path glittering with hundreds of thousands of holiday lights while music fills the winter air. See illuminated displays and sparkling surprises along the way. Tour the opulent interior of The Breakers decorated in holiday splendor. Enjoy holiday treats and adult beverages for purchase at the back terrace and The Breakers Welcome Center. A special Member Night will be held December 13 during which members and their guests will enjoy special offerings including giveaways and family activities.
Celebrate the magic of the holiday season with an unforgettable black-tie evening: Holiday Dinner Dance at The Breakers (Dec. 19). The festivities begin with cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres surrounded by elegant holiday décor, setting the stage for a spectacular evening. Guests will enjoy dinner served in the Great Hall or the State Dining Room, followed by an evening of dancing in the stunning Music Room. Join us for an elegant celebration filled with festive cheer, fine dining, and dancing in one of Newport’s most iconic settings. Tickets will be available October 7 for Preservation Society members, and October 13 for the general public.
Additionally, spectacular holiday decorations will be on view at The Breakers, Marble House, and Chateau-sur-Mer, Nov. 21—Jan. 3, including nearly 30 exquisitely decorated Christmas trees, and a 15-foot-tall poinsettia tree in the Great Hall of The Breakers.
Plus:
Holiday Wreath-Making Workshop
December 5 | 10am-12pm
The Breakers GreenhouseLed by Jeff Curtis, Director of Gardens & Landscapes, The Preservation Society’s Holiday Wreath-Making Workshop offers instructions on how to create one-of-a-kind holiday wreaths using locally sourced materials. Participants will be provided with wreath-making materials.
Behind the Scenes: Holiday Decorations
December 10 at The Breakers | 10-11am
December 17 at Marble House | 10-11amLearn how the magic of holiday decorating comes together at Newport’s iconic mansions. These tours of The Breakers and Marble House interior holiday decorations will be hosted by Jim Donahue, The Preservation Society of Newport County’s Curator of Historic Landscapes and the creative genius behind our holiday glamour. Donahue will discuss how the decorations are created and installed and share tips and tricks to use at home.
The Preservation Society of Newport County is Rhode Island’s largest cultural organization, protecting, preserving and presenting the best of Newport County’s architectural heritage. As a nonprofit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the Preservation Society’s 11 historic properties – seven of them National Historic Landmarks – span more than 250 years of American architectural and social development from the Colonial era to the Gilded Age.
Through its historic properties, educational programs and related activities, the Preservation Society engages the public in the story of America’s vibrant cultural heritage. Today, these “Newport Mansions” are an integral part of the living fabric of the city in which they stand.
— from a Newport Mansions press release
More: NewportMansions.org