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Christmas with kids in Warwick
In Warwick, Rhode Island, Santa has been known to arrive on a fire department ladder truck, and a parade through historic Apponaug Village helps kick off the season. The city's holiday traditions are still fairly new.
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Strolling Rolling Apponaug Winter Festival
When: Sat, Dec 5, 9 am to 3 pm
Where: Warwick Public Library, Apponaug Branch, Warwick
Cost: Free
The story of Christmas in Warwick
How Warwick celebrates
Warwick's season centers on two traditions. The City of Warwick Christmas Tree Lighting, hosted by the mayor and the Parks and Recreation Department, is held in early December (at Thayer Arena on Sandy Lane in 2024), with carolers, skating performances, hot chocolate and Santa. The newer Strolling Rolling Apponaug Winter Festival began in December 2023 in the historic village. Organized by the Warwick Tourism Department with a state grant of just under $86,000, Mayor Frank Picozzi hoped it would become an annual tradition, with a parade ending at City Hall.
Christmas last year in Warwick
The 2025 Warwick Christmas Tree Lighting took place on Thursday, December 4, from 5:45 to 7:45 p.m. Girl Scout carolers sang, dancers from two local studios performed, and the Warwick Figure Skaters Synchronized team gave a skating demo. Children could enjoy activities, costumed characters, donuts, hot cocoa and two food trucks, and ice skating was free with a donation of an unexpired nonperishable item. Skate rentals were available next door at Sandy Lane Sports. The Apponaug Winter Festival had already returned for a second year in December 2024, with Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving on a Warwick Fire Department ladder truck.
Fun facts about Christmas in Warwick
The first Apponaug winter festival parade borrowed from Gaspee Days traditions, with the Pawtuxet Rangers, Kentish Guards, mounted Providence Police and Shriners, and organizers nicknamed the day "Cannons and carols." Free horse and carriage rides left from City Hall, and a snow machine blew foam bubbles near the building. A shuttle ran from Toll Gate High School because parking in the village was tight. The festival has also featured touch a truck displays, balloon art and a scavenger hunt.
Trains and Christmas near Warwick
Little train fans near Warwick can start at the Rhode Island Railroad Museum, in the historic 1875 Kingston Station in West Kingston, where Northeast Corridor trains roll past. The Newport and Narragansett Bay Railroad runs vintage cars along the bay from Portsmouth, mostly May to November. Farther north, Woonsocket's ornate 1882 brick depot, built by the Providence and Worcester Railroad, is the departure point for holiday trains at Christmas, according to our museum page.
- Rhode Island Railroad Museum: A small museum inside the historic 1875 Kingston Station, right beside busy Northeast Corridor tracks.
- Newport & Narragansett Bay Railroad: Vintage-car excursions along Narragansett Bay, running roughly May to November.
- Woonsocket Train Depot: An ornate 1882 depot where holiday trains depart at Christmas.
Traditions today
- City of Warwick Christmas Tree Lighting: A December evening at Thayer Arena with carolers, dancers, hot cocoa and Santa, and ice skating that is free with a food donation.
- Strolling Rolling Apponaug Winter Festival: A free day in historic Apponaug Village with a morning parade ending at City Hall, a Santa Station and horse and carriage rides.
- Santa and Mrs. Claus at City Hall: The Santa Station at City Hall welcomes families after the parade, and in 2024 Santa arrived by fire department ladder truck.
- Conimicut Village Christmas: A village evening with Santa and Mrs. Claus, food, music and activities in the center of Conimicut Village.
- Elementary school choirs: School choirs sing in City Hall's Council Chambers during the Apponaug Winter Festival.
- Skating and hot cocoa: Skating at Thayer Arena goes with the tree lighting, plus donuts and hot cocoa for the crowd.
A fact for kids
In Warwick, Santa and Mrs. Claus have arrived at the Christmas festival on a real fire department ladder truck.
Questions about Christmas in Warwick
When is the Warwick Christmas tree lighting?
The City of Warwick Christmas Tree Lighting is held in early December. In 2025 it was Thursday, December 4, from 5:45 to 7:45 p.m. In 2024 it was at Thayer Arena, 975 Sandy Lane. Check our Warwick Christmas events guide on this page for this year's date and place.
Who hosts the Warwick tree lighting?
In 2025 the tree lighting was hosted by Mayor Picozzi and the Warwick Parks and Recreation Department. The evening included Girl Scout carolers, dance performances by two local studios, a skating demo by the Warwick Figure Skaters Synchronized team, children's activities, donuts, hot cocoa and food trucks.
Is ice skating free at the Warwick tree lighting?
In 2025, ice skating was free with a donation of an unexpired nonperishable item, and skate rentals were available for a fee next door at Sandy Lane Sports. In 2024 indoor skating cost $5, or was free with a canned or nonperishable food donation. Bring socks and mittens for little skaters.
What is the Apponaug Winter Festival?
It is a free holiday festival in historic Apponaug Village, run by the Warwick Tourism Department. The first was in December 2023, and the second was December 7, 2024, with a parade at 10 a.m. ending at City Hall. It also had a Santa Station, school choirs and horse and carriage rides.
When did the Apponaug Winter Festival start?
The first Apponaug winter festival was held on Saturday, December 9, 2023, after a year of planning by the Warwick Tourism Department. Mayor Frank Picozzi hoped it would become an annual tradition, and the 2024 festival was billed as the second annual, so it is still a young Warwick tradition.
What was in the first Apponaug parade?
The first parade started around 10 a.m. and drew on Gaspee Days traditions, with the Pawtuxet Rangers, Kentish Guards, mounted Providence Police and Shriners. Carolers performed in the parade and throughout the village afterward. Organizers called the day "Cannons and carols," a name children may find funny.
Who paid for the Apponaug Winter Festival?
The first festival was funded by a state grant of just under $86,000 from the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, as reported by local news. Organizers used it to run a free day with food trucks, horse and carriage rides, touch a truck displays, balloon art and a scavenger hunt.
How did Santa arrive in Warwick in 2024?
In 2024, Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived at the Apponaug Winter Festival on a Warwick Fire Department ladder truck. It is a fun detail for kids who love fire engines. Families can then visit the Santa Station at City Hall after the parade, so plan a little time for both.
Are there horse and carriage rides in Warwick at Christmas?
Yes, the Apponaug Winter Festival has featured free horse and carriage rides, which left from City Hall at the first festival in 2023. The 2024 festival also listed carriage rides. Check our Warwick Christmas events guide on this page for this season's schedule, since offerings can change.
What is Conimicut Village Christmas?
It is a village evening in the center of Conimicut Village, held 5 to 8 p.m. in December 2024, with Santa and Mrs. Claus, food, music and activities. It is a neighborhood celebration, and our Warwick Christmas events guide on this page has the latest details.
What are Gaspee Days and why are they in a Christmas parade?
The first Apponaug winter festival parade drew on Gaspee Days traditions, with groups such as the Pawtuxet Rangers and the Kentish Guards. The festival's nickname, "Cannons and carols," was a playful mix of history and holiday music, which is an easy way to show kids that old traditions can join new ones.
Where is Apponaug Village?
Apponaug is a historic village in Warwick, and the festival parade ends at City Hall. During the winter festival, Post Road was closed from about 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in 2023, and a shuttle ran from Toll Gate High School because parking was tight. Plan your trip with our Warwick Christmas events guide on this page.
What is Clouds Hill in Warwick?
Clouds Hill is a museum in Warwick. At the first Apponaug winter festival, Clouds Hill Museum shared holiday arrangements and brochures with visitors. The sources we found say little more about it, so check with the museum directly if you would like to know about visiting or holiday programs.
How do I explain Christmas tree lighting to a young child?
Say that the whole town gathers in the dark to count down together, and then the tree lights up. In Warwick, kids can also skate, meet costumed characters and sip hot cocoa. Letting your child help with the countdown, or holding the donated food item, makes the event feel important.
What do Warwick kids do at the Santa Station?
At the Apponaug Winter Festival, the Santa Station at City Hall welcomes families after the parade for visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Lines can get long at popular activities, so go early with a warm hat and a favorite toy for waiting.
Do Warwick elementary schools take part in Christmas events?
Yes. At the 2024 Apponaug Winter Festival, elementary school choirs performed at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall. At the first festival, a Scott School bell choir performed. Kids find it exciting to see classmates on stage.
Is there a Rhode Island train museum near Warwick?
Yes, the Rhode Island Railroad Museum is at the historic 1875 Kingston Station in West Kingston, on the busy Northeast Corridor. Our museum page says hours are not posted online, so confirm before you go. Pair it with a look at trains passing through.
Can kids ride a vintage train in Rhode Island?
Yes, the Newport and Narragansett Bay Railroad runs vintage-car excursions along Narragansett Bay from Portsmouth toward Newport. Rides are seasonal, roughly May to November, and schedules are posted on Facebook, so check before you go. It is best for warm weather, not winter.
What is the Woonsocket Train Depot?
It is an ornate 1882 brick depot on Depot Square in Woonsocket, built by the Providence and Worcester Railroad. Today it holds state offices, so most visitors see the outside and the Hachiko statue. According to our museum page, holiday trains depart here at Christmas.
What is the oldest Christmas tradition in Warwick?
The sources we found do not name a single oldest Warwick Christmas tradition. The best documented ones are the City of Warwick Christmas Tree Lighting and the Apponaug Winter Festival, which began in December 2023. Conimicut Village Christmas also celebrates the season each December.
Sources
- Tree lighting, winter festival, shopping: Warwick's got the holiday spirit, Visit Warwick RI
- Warwick Christmas Tree Lighting 2025, The Warwick Post
- What's Open Christmas 2025?, The Warwick Post
- Epic Apponaug Winter Festival boasts fun, food, parade, The Warwick Post
- Hundreds stroll first ever Rolling Apponaug festival, Warwick Beacon
- Apponaug Winter Festival bundles warmth and fun, The Warwick Post
- Warwick weekend events: winter fest, magic, markets, The Warwick Post
- Rhode Island Railroad Museum, Rally Takes the Train
- Newport & Narragansett Bay Railroad, Rally Takes the Train
- Woonsocket Train Depot, Rally Takes the Train