Ocean House unveils a packed 2026 holiday calendar in Watch Hill

Ocean House in Watch Hill, R.I., is lining up Thanksgiving dining, Santa events, workshops and two London-inspired New Year’s Eve parties across November and December 2026. The resort is leaning on family programming and high-end dining to turn the holiday season into a destination experience.

Why it matters: - Ocean House is using the holiday season to drive demand for dining, events and overnight stays at its Watch Hill resort. - The calendar mixes family-friendly programming, culinary classes and upscale New Year’s Eve celebrations. - The lineup gives guests multiple entry points to visit, from public tree lighting festivities to ticketed dinners and workshops.

What happened: - Ocean House announced its 2026 holiday season programming in Watch Hill, R.I. - The schedule runs from early November through New Year’s Eve. - The resort is offering Thanksgiving dining, Christmas events, hands-on workshops and two separate New Year’s Eve parties. - Ocean House describes itself as a Forbes 15-Star, Five-Star Hotel, Five-Star Spa and Five-Star Restaurant, and a Relais and Châteaux property.

The details: - The Thanksgiving season starts Nov. 6, 13, 20 and 27 with “In the Kitchen: Thanksgiving Tips and Techniques,” a hands-on culinary class at 3:30 p.m. in the Center for Wine and Culinary Arts. - The class covers gravy, mashed potatoes and side dishes, with guidance for both first-time hosts and experienced cooks. - On Nov. 14, Ocean House will host a Children’s Ballet Clinic with Ballet RI at 1 p.m. in the Seaside Ballroom. - Two ballerinas will give a dance demonstration, teach ballet basics and end the afternoon with a reading of The Nutcracker. - Families will have access to a hot chocolate bar and cookies, while adults will sip sparkling wine. - Each child will take home a ballerina cookie. - Tickets for the ballet clinic are $75 per child, and accompanying adults are complimentary. - On Nov. 26, Ocean House will host a Thanksgiving Buffet in the Seaside Ballroom with seatings from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. - The buffet includes maple-brined turkey, honey-glazed ham, a raw bar, seasonal sides and holiday desserts. - Live music will accompany the Thanksgiving meal. - On Nov. 27, the holiday weekend continues with an Ice Cream Social featuring penguins from Mystic Aquarium. - December programming includes From Vine to Wine: Holiday Wines, Ornament, Holiday Wreath and Gingerbread House Workshops, plus Cookie & Cupcake Decorating with Mrs. Claus. - Ocean House’s Christmas Tree Lighting begins at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28. - Santa will arrive by firetruck for the outdoor event, which includes fireworks, complimentary hot chocolate and Christmas cookies. - The tree lighting is open to the public and does not require a reservation. - Hotel interior access during the event is reserved for overnight guests. - Guests can bring an unwrapped, boxed toy for donation. - Christmas Dinner with Santa starts at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 28 in the Ballroom and Drawing Room. - The buffet lets guests dine with Santa, and adults get a limited open bar with select wines and spirits. - Brunch with Santa is scheduled for Nov. 29 and Dec. 6, 13 and 20 in the Seaside Ballroom and Drawing Room. - Reservations for Brunch with Santa begin at 10 a.m. - The brunch runs from 10:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. and includes gourmet food stations, bottomless mimosas and soft drinks. - Ocean House’s Vodka & Latke class takes place Dec. 6 at 3 p.m. in the Center for Wine & Culinary Arts. - The class includes cocktails, canapés and three versions of latkes topped with caviar, smoked salmon and tartare, each paired with a vodka-based beverage. - On Dec. 10 at 6 p.m., Ocean House will host a Gingerbread House Competition Among Local High Schools in the Seaside Ballroom. - Students from Chariho, Lincoln, Exeter-East Greenwich and Westerly high schools will display their gingerbread houses. - Winners will be announced during a reception with passed hors d’oeuvres, house beer and wine, and hot cocoa. - The gingerbread event is complimentary, and guests are asked to RSVP. - Ocean House’s Christmas Soirée is set for Dec. 12 at 6 p.m. in the Seaside Ballroom. - The event includes a strolling reception, chef-curated food stations, passed hors d’oeuvres, an open bar, live music and dancing. - The resort is positioning the soirée for colleagues, clients, friends, groups and individual guests. - The Truffle Tree Workshop is scheduled for Dec. 17 at 3 p.m. in the Drawing Room. - Guests will make a chocolate truffle centerpiece with the pastry chef and take home an Ocean House apron and chef hat. - The workshop includes a glass of sparkling wine. - Ocean House’s New Year’s Eve class, “In the Kitchen: New Year’s Eve Small Bites,” is scheduled for Dec. 4, 11 and 18 at 3:30 p.m. in the Center for Wine and Culinary Arts. - The class focuses on elegant hors d’oeuvres and flavor pairing for small-plate entertaining. - The Big Ben Black Tie Bash begins at 8 p.m. Dec. 31 and is limited to guests 21 and older. - The London-inspired party includes reserved Bistro seating, live entertainment, open bars and food stations with Beef Wellington, Maine lobster, black truffle risotto and caviar. - The evening also includes access to ballroom festivities later in the night, with a DJ, additional food and an open bar. - The London Calling New Year’s Eve Ball begins at 9 p.m. Dec. 31 in the Seaside Ballroom. - The ball features a roaming reception, food stations, open bars, live entertainment and a DJ playing British rock favorites. - The theme includes Union Jack accents, red telephone booths and an Abbey Road-inspired photo setting. - Guests who dress for the theme can compete for costume prizes. - Event details, availability and reservations are available at Ocean House events, and accommodation reservations and property details are available at Ocean House.

Between the lines: - Ocean House is bundling holiday programming into a full-season destination strategy rather than promoting a single marquee event. - The mix of public events, ticketed experiences and luxury dining suggests the resort is aiming to attract local visitors, in-house guests and holiday groups at the same time. - The two New Year’s Eve parties split the audience by style and format, with one centered on black-tie dining and another built around a themed dance event.

What’s next: - Guests can begin booking and RSVPing for events as dates approach. - Ocean House will move from Thanksgiving programming into Christmas events at the end of November, then into New Year’s Eve celebrations in late December. - The resort is directing guests to its website and social channels for updates and reservations.