Whether you’re looking to shop local (The Captain’s Table, Green Ink, YES! Gallery, Serendipity, Teddy Bearskins, Wickford Gourmet Factory Outlet, Wickford Collection, and more), surround yourself with some old time-y Christmas magic (they boast one of the most extensive arrays of 18th century houses in the entire northeast, most of which are still used as residences to this very day in fact), take some festive photos to show off on social (WHO isn’t doing that these days?!?), or a mix of all three, historic Wickford Village it is. All day, every day, as the kids are fond of saying…

Especially this week since they are hosting their 35th annual Festival Of Lights, which has become synonymous with all kinds of yuletide excitement and merriment. This year with the pandemic and all, however, it’s going to be a little different. They are not having any large scale happenings that draw crowds (Santa’s arrival by boat, for ex.) but you can still mask up and take a little jaunt around the town. Take time to take in and admire all the Christmassy decor and magic that the Wick specializes in every single December. (There’s also a contest amongst the local shops to see which ones have the best xmas window displays, with winners being announced on Friday, Dec. 4th.)

And why not:

• Grab a hot drink, a snack or a to-go meal from one of the many eateries around town.

• Bop into one or all of your go-to shops on Brown and Main Streets because as the meme says, buy local or bye local, right?

• Charge up the smart phone and snap a bazillion photos to share on Facebook or Insta because you won’t find a collection of houses and businesses with more of a commitment to bringing the holiday cheer this time of year.

Yes, definitely take time to wander Brown and Main because pretty much everyone (residential and commercial) makes a tree-mendous effort to decorate. Enjoy the vintage, old school aesthetic on display on doors, front stoops, fences, windows, etc. (They do get extra bonus points for creativity.) It’s really somerthing to see that will make you feel a little happier and (dare I say) more optimistic.