‘Tis the season to make gingerbread houses, eat Christmas cookie dough, go ice skating and other fun holiday stuff. Make this season one of reflection and rejoicing as you celebrate festive happenings in Westerly the last month in this year and cheers to 2020!

Pass through the Seven Layers of the Candy Cane Forest with Family Fun

  • Santa has checked his Christmas list and for those children on the nice side of the North Pole Santa steers his reindeer towards the Ocean House this year and checks into the Ocean House and Weekapaug Inn for the popular Sunday Brunch tradition. Families have the opportunity to meet with the white-bearded wonder each Sunday during the month of December. Other weekends available for photo ops and a meet and greet as well.
  • The Washington Trust Community Skating Center offers up fun ice activities for the whole family at the ice rink. Besides the public ice skating that takes place just about every day of the week try Broomball, Sledge Hockey, or Curling, all very cool and a great way to enjoy the crisp winter air this holiday season.
  • Get Lit! Westerly Light Parade takes place on December 15 at 6 p.m. Be a part of Westerly’s 350th Year Celebration as more than 40 floats featuring thousands of LED lights are on display during this special lighted parade. Chevy Chase (National Lampoons Christmas Vacation) would be proud! Come enjoy dinner from a variety of local food trucks as you experience this memorable event that will end the 350th year-long celebration. “We are excited to present this closing ceremony and hope that the public enjoys the spectacle,” says Lisa Konicki, President of Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce.

On the Big White Screen

  • The United Theatre elevates Will Ferrell in his Christmas tights to the big screen in their third annual interactive holiday screening of ELF on December 14th from 6:30-8:30 pm. The evening sets the stage with an indoor snowball fight, and free cocoa and treats from some of the four main food groups for an ELF (candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup).
  • Also each week during the month of December The Westerly Library features a holiday-themed matinee in the library auditorium.

Under the Mistletoe…Adult Fun

  • The Westerly Land Trust partners with Tapped Apple Winery for Wines and Wreaths on December 11 from 5-7:30 pm. Sip wine, snack on apps, and share in wreath making as you craft your own wreath using locally sourced greenery. Space is limited/email Meg Lee at [email protected]
  • Show off that ugly sweater this year and head down to Tapped Apple Winery for the First Bite of the Year New Years Eve Party on December 28th. The night kicks off at 8 pm and Tapped Apple Winery will be decorated with a 70’s theme, disco ball drop at midnight with a toast of sparkling hard cider. Sarah Thompson will be performing with her band the Dream Catchers.  There is no cost for this evening.  There will be appetizers served and wine and cider for purchase.
  • The Knickerbocker Music Center features Roger Ceresi’s All Starz: New Year’s Eve. A rhythm and blues horn band that plays tributes to some of the greatest music legends from the 50s to the 70s. Show kicks off at 8 p.m.

Yankee Swap Gifts (you won’t want to swap)

  • The Artist Cooperative Gallery of Westerly features a Northern Lights Illumination Holiday Show for the month of December. Give the gift of art this year and support local artists as you peruse and shop for wearable treasures, handcrafted jewelry, matted and framed prints, pottery, books, and other unique finds.

Sweet Treats

  • Who doesn’t love a good gingerbread house!? For some, the holidays equal festive fun in the kitchen baking up batches of cookies and spreading confectionary love. Come out to the Gingerbread House (December 13) and the Cookie and Cupcake Decorating Workshops (December 18) offered at the Ocean House. Children and adults are welcome to enjoy the fun together as the pastry team and chef show you how to impress not only friends and family with delicious treats but Santa as well.