What the December Holidays mean for our Main Streets

Lightings, parades, and holiday markets strengthen social connections while increased foot traffic and gift shopping boosts local businesses

By Lisa Watts

It’s no surprise that December holiday celebrations in Rhode Island typically feature lights: candles, luminaria, tree lights, wood fires. By mid-December the sun will set in the Ocean State by 4:15 p.m. and won’t rise again until a little after 7 the next morning. Facing so many hours of darkness, Rhode Islanders can celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, the winter solstice, and more with tree lightings in towns across the state; memorial luminaria in Pawtuxet Village; an outdoor light spectacle at a Newport mansion; a New Year’s Eve WaterFire basin lighting in downtown Providence; even twinkly lights covering a giant tree made from lobster traps in neighboring Stonington, Connecticut.

December holiday celebrations also shine a critically important spotlight on Rhode Island’s main street communities, says Jillian Finkle, deputy director of Grow Smart Rhode Island and director of Main Street RI. Small businesses enjoy an annual economic boost thanks to increased foot traffic and holiday gift shopping while the retail sector often creates seasonal jobs. Traditional lightings, parades, and holiday markets strengthen social bonds in our communities as main street districts transform themselves with lights and decorations into more inviting places.

Pawtuxet Village’s Christmas tree is encircled by luminaria honoring loved ones who have died, a tradition begun decades ago by Marta Martinez (at right)

People often tell Marta Martinez they know Pawtuxet Village, where she has lived for three decades, because they drive through it as a shortcut to get somewhere else. Among her many civic and professional roles, Martinez founded Friends of Pawtuxet Village in 2010 with the goal of supporting local businesses, bringing residents together, and encouraging more visitors to stop and appreciate her scenic village.  

To that end, for nearly three decades Martinez and fellow volunteers have set dozens of luminaria around the village’s Christmas tree each December, creating an impressive nighttime display of lights in a park overlooking the Pawtuxet River. In a custom drawn from Martinez’s Mexican heritage, the luminaria display the names of people who have died, each sponsored for a small fee by a loved one. Families have sponsored luminarias for the same relatives for years and return for the annual lighting “almost like a reunion,” Martinez says. An early December holiday stroll begins with a Saturday afternoon of activities including discounts and refreshments from village businesses followed by a carol sing by the park’s gazebo and lighting of the 30-foot tree and electric “candles” in the luminaria—often inspiring a few moments of meditative quiet across the gathered crowd.

Sustaining the Holiday Spirit

If Finkle has one wish on her holiday list, it’s that all of us — politicians, civic leaders, residents — would embrace our community’s main streets year round with the same energy we bring during the December holidays. The Main Street RI coordinating program that Finkle leads aims to support the revitalization, growth, and promotion of Rhode Island’s beloved village centers and downtowns. Creating thriving “third places,” social hubs within our communities where we can engage informally with our neighbors, requires intentional planning, design, leadership, and promotion.

“Every December, our politicians turn out on Small Business Saturday to talk about how important our small businesses are,” says Finkle. “We need to be talking about this all year, not just one Saturday.”

S’mores Night in Portland, ME’s Congress Square Park

Winter’s short, cold days follow the December holidays, of course. But that doesn’t mean that outdoor main street gatherings have to wait for spring. For five winters, C.J. Opperthauser, executive director of Friends of Congress Square Park in Portland, Maine, has been bringing people together, outside, each Thursday evening. The draw: the warmth and light of three fire pits along with the cozy sweetness of roasting marshmallows for s’mores. Local artists often perform and nonprofits set up information tables during the two-hour event. But the most important ingredient of s’mores nights (aside from graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate bars) is community building.

“It’s the physical act of sitting around a small fire pit, shoulder to shoulder with people you may not know, and kind of breaking bread with them,” he says. “I’ve seen so many social divides being broken that I’ve lost count.” 

Some regulars make s’more nights part of their weekly routine. Others are drawn in as they pass by the park. Surrounding businesses—a coffee shop, restaurants, galleries, music venues, and more—feel the ripple effect of having anywhere from 50 to 100 people coming downtown each week through the winter.

Keeping it Local

“Locally owned, independent businesses need our support year-round,” says Jessica David.  She cofounded, along with Josh Daly, the nonprofit Local Return with the goal of building community wealth in Rhode Island through ownership and investment, particularly in neighborhoods that have experienced historical disinvestment. 

“When we buy from locally owned, independent businesses, our money stays in the local economy longer and does more good. For every $100 you spend at a locally-owned business, an average of $68 stays local — as compared to just $43 for a big box store, and far less for a massive online corporation,” says David. “Local businesses hire our neighbors, make our neighborhoods unique and fun, pay local taxes, and give back far more than national chains.” 

This month of December, enjoy the holiday festivities knowing the impact of keeping it local. “Shopping on main street is like giving a little gift to yourself,” says Daly. “Look for your local holiday stroll events, bring a friend or two, chat while you browse the local shops for some fun and unique items, probably bump into other friends and neighbors, maybe grab a bite to eat or a drink — heck, do both! Your friends and family will appreciate all the hard work you put into being a lover of where you live!”

Lights and More: Holiday Celebrations Around the Ocean State:

Narragansett
Holiday Street Faire features an artisan barn, outdoor village with Santa and carolers, food trucks, and live music.

Newport

Sparkling Lights at The Breakers: An outdoor light spectacle on the 13-acre landscape of The Breakers, which also includes a tour of the lavishly decorated interiors, and Christmas in Newport: Events include the official Christmas tree lighting in Washington Square, a decorated tree on Bowen’s Wharf, holiday movies at the Jane Pickens Theater, and the Newport Nutcracker ballet at the Rosecliff mansion. 

Pawtuxet Village

Holiday stroll, December 6, begins at noon followed by carol singing, tree lighting, and luminaria at 5 p.m.

Providence

Holiday Tree Lighting, December 6, 4 to 7:30 p.m., Providence City Hall, 25 Dorrance Street. Parade, refreshments, and music. 

“Christmas on Benefit Street,” walking tours presented by Providence Ghost Tour, December 6 – January 3, 2026.

WaterFire Holiday Celebration: A festive celebration at Waterplace Park and the WaterFire Arts Center on New Year’s Eve.

Smithfield

Winster Solstice Celebration, Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, Sunday, December 21, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Stonington, CT

Unique lobster trap tree decorated with buoys painted by local artists.

Woonsocket

Winter Wonderland Holiday Stroll, December 6, 2 – 8 p.m. Food trucks, performances, ice carving, business scavenger hunt, and more.