The Christmas season at the Newport Mansions begins on Saturday, November 19, 2016.
The glitter of gold and the sparkle of silver will dazzle you as you tour three magnificent mansions decked out in Yuletide finery. Music, tours, and spectacular decorations highlight the celebration of Christmas at the Newport Mansions.
The Breakers, The Elms and Marble House–three National Historic Landmarks and icons of the Gilded Age in America–are filled with thousands of poinsettias, fresh flowers, evergreens and wreaths. A total of 28 decorated Christmas trees reflecting individual room decor anchor many of the magnificent spaces. Dining tables set with period silver and china complete the elegant setting. And windows of each mansion are lit with individual white candles, in keeping with the colonial tradition.
Additional Highlights:
The Breakers Great Hall will feature the iconic 15 foot tall poinsettia tree. Model trains, recalling the Vanderbilt family’s New York Central Railroad, will be on display in the second floor loggia, traveling around three decorated trees. Railroad and Vanderbilt memorabilia from the Preservation Society’s collections will also be on display.
At The Elms, the ballroom will be transformed into a Gilded Age streetscape, complete with sleighs, a topiary horse, trees and mannequins dressed in period costumes.
For the second year, Marble House will host a mantelpiece decorating competition among regional garden clubs.
We invite you to make holiday memories with your family by visiting The Breakers, The Elms and Marble House during the holiday season.
All three houses will be decorated and open daily for tours from Saturday, November 19, 2016 through Monday, January 2, 2017. The Breakers and The Elms open daily at 9 a.m., Marble House opens at 10 a.m. The last tour admission at all three houses is at 4 p.m., and the houses & grounds close at 5 p.m.
Rosecliff will also be open for tours, including the exhibition Splendor at Sea: The Golden Age of Steam Yachting in America, from December 4 through January 2, 2017.
Please note, on Christmas Eve, December 24, the last tour admission at all houses will be at 3 p.m. Houses are closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
A Winter Passport ticket providing daytime admission to all houses open from November 19 to March 17, 2017 is $29.49 for adults, $9 for children 6-17. Children under 6 are admitted free. All other Newport Mansions daytime tour tickets remain valid through the Christmas season as well.
Santa Sundays
Santa Claus himself will visit each of the three houses on successive Sunday afternoons in December to listen to your children’s wish lists! Bring the kids and your camera for a great photo op!
Santa’s visit is from 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. on each day. Included in tour admission.
December 4 – The Breakers
December 11 – Marble House
December 18 – The Elms
Holiday Evenings at the Newport Mansions
Don’t miss Holiday Evenings at the Newport Mansions for an extra special and unique experience. Enjoy live holiday music and light refreshments as you stroll through softly lit rooms, taking in the ambience of a Gilded Age holiday.
Holiday Evenings at The Breakers
Saturdays, November 26, December 3 & December 10, 2016
Fridays, December 23 & December 30, 2016
6 p.m. – 8 pm.
Holiday Evening Duet: The Elms & Marble House
Saturday, December 17, 2016
6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Entertainment Schedule:
Pianist John Black will perform at each of the Holiday Evenings, along with:
November 26: New England Brass Band and harpist Arilyn Mitchell
December 3: Newport Navy Choristers
December 10: Vocal Revolution barbershop-style chorus
December 17 at The Elms: Natick Suzuki Collaborative young violinists and The New England Tenors
December 17 at Marble House: Greenwood Community Choir and Edge Trio jazz ensemble
December 23: New Providence Big Band featuring Miss Katie Kleyla
December 30: TBA and harpist Arilyn Mitchell
Schedule is subject to change
Holiday Evening admission:
Members: $30 in advance, $35 day of event
Non-members: $35 in advance, $45 day of event
Children 6-17: $10 in advance, $15 day of event
Children under 6 are admitted free
Holiday Dinner Dance
Saturday, December 17, 2016
The Breakers
Ring in the season at our holiday dinner dance in the Great Hall of The Breakers. The evening includes a cocktail hour on the loggia, a three-course seated dinner in the Great Hall, and dancing in the Music Room. Black tie, valet parking.Reservations required. THIS EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT.
Newport Nutcracker at Rosecliff
November 25-27 and November 29 – December 2, 2016
Be a part of the classic holiday tale as you follow Island Moving Co.’s dazzling performers through the spectacular setting of Newport’s most romantic mansion.
“The secret of “A Newport Nutcracker at Rosecliff” is in its sense of scale, proportion, musicality and good stage manners. As you follow the action from room to room here, you’re so close to the performers that you’re involved in a new way.”
– Alastair Macaulay, chief New York Times Dance critic
For more information & tickets: www.islandmovingco.org
