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Updated in November 2025 to reflect the latest winter activity information.

Author Leah Ward '23 worked as a student assistant at �ʼһ���, contributing to �ʼһ��� News. She graduated in 2023 with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies: Visual Media.

As the weather gets cooler and the days get shorter, we can’t deny that winter is coming, as Eddard Stark would say. The good news is that winter in Providence is much more enjoyable than winter in “Game of Thrones.”

Providence is actually a great place to experience winter because there are tons of fun and festive activities to take part in the city and around the area. The city also looks beautiful after snowfall in the winter. Providence has a combination of different activities, some of which will have you enjoying the outdoors (bundled up of course) and some of which will keep you feeling warm and cozy as the temperature drops. 

I know winter can come with some mixed emotions because, the short days and cold weather can take a toll on your mental health and enjoyment of the season. But winter can be a fun season if you allow it to be. One thing that can help winter be more enjoyable is having things to look forward to during the cold season. Luckily, I’m going to be giving you some ideas for activities you can take part in this winter in and around Providence so you will have things to do. 

Skating, Sledding and Skiing 

Believe it or not, Providence is an excellent place for cold-weather activities like ice skating. Every winter, the  offers ice-skating to the public. The City Center is about a 5-minute walk from our Downcity Campus so, many of our students love to walk over and skate with friends. This is a great activity for all ages and a good way to get out of the house this winter. The city center also offers rides which are always an excellent choice and incredibly fun. It’s a winter twist to the classic activity, just like regular bumper cars but you are driving on the ice rink.  

As you probably know, once it’s winter in New England then snow will surely follow. This winter, whether you are visiting Providence or a local, I encourage you to try to enjoy the snow. There are other activities other than shoveling! One way to enjoy it after a fresh snowfall is to go sledding. There are many great parks around Rhode Island that are perfect for your sledding adventures. Good parks for sledding in around the area are , , there’s also a nice hill for sledding at the Moses Brown school.

Skiing is another great activity for the winter and there are a couple of ski resorts that are not too far from Providence that you can visit. Some places where you can ski, snowboard, or go tubing nearby are  and . If you're looking for more places to ski and are willing to drive to New Hampshire or Maine, some resorts that are definitely worth visiting are , , and . 

Winter Magic

Now if you really want to have a fun time this winter, fasten your seatbelt and get ready for a fun filled ride through the North Pole via the . Get your tickets stamped and have some delectable hot chocolate to keep you warm on this magical adventure. 

Live Shows and Sporting Events 

Live theater is always a great spectacle, and if you combine that with the holiday season and winter classics you can get something truly amazing. This year you can watch a live showing of the right here in Providence. My family and I actually go to see the Christmas Carol every year, and it's a fun experience being able to watch the classic story on a live stage. It encourages excitement for the upcoming holiday season as well. You can see the Christmas Carol live at the  up until the new year. The Trinity Rep is also right by �ʼһ���’s Downcity Campus so you can easily walk their as well.  

If you are into sports, there are tons of athletics events happening right here in Providence. You can catch an AHL  game at the Amica Mutual Pavillion, or you can also stop by a  �ʼһ��� game while you're here.  has Men's and Women's Ice Hockey and Basketball as our big winter sports, so try to attend a game and support our Wildcats. 

Winter Markets 

My last recommendation is that you should visit one of the winter markets here in Providence. offers a winter market in an indoor facility right here in Providence every Saturday from November through April. Just because the season has changed doesn’t mean we still can’t go out and support our local farmers by purchasing fresh produce. Providence is a city known for its food and that’s partly because of the �ʼһ��� Alum around the area. Shopping at the farmers market you may run into some current students or alum taking part in the event as well.  

Just steps from �ʼһ���'s campus, you can also enjoy the . This four-day event includes rotating vendors, food and beverages, pop-ups at local shops, live entertainment, workshops and a heated lodge to warm up in.

I hope hearing about these activities inspires you to go out and enjoy this winter with the people closest to you. Winter in Providence can be a great time and this season should be enjoyed. So, go out and explore this winter and make sure to take in the beauty and magic that it has to offer.  

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