NWBRV’s Millrace Kitchen staff and members are looking forward to the newly branded Woonsocket Winter Wonderland Holiday Stroll on Saturday, December 6 – a festive, citywide celebration that transforms downtown into a hub of holiday magic. Running from 2:00-8:00pm, the stroll invites families, friends and neighbors to shop local, enjoy live entertainment, and explore activities stretching from Market Square to River Island Art Park and along North Main Street.
Organized by The Downtown Woonsocket Collaborative, The City of Woonsocket and the Holiday Stroll Committee, the annual stroll is always held the first Saturday in December. Visitors can expect choirs, dancers, children’s activities, vendors, and a cheerful mix of indoor and outdoor attractions that encourage shoppers to buy local and shop small–and NWBRV’s very own Millrace Kitchen and Event Space promises to be a cozy spot of delight for anyone looking for a sweet place to duck into!
“Millrace, being a central location, will be acting as a warming area with public restrooms and a Holiday Vendor Market!” Millrace Event Space Manager Payton Morse shared. “Indoors we will have ten vendors selling handmade items for your holiday shopping needs!”
Showcasing jewelry, desserts, ornaments, clothing, ceramics, and everything in between, Millrace is also looking forward to shining our spotlight on one of our Millrace Kitchen members, All Things Tropical, who will be selling their delicious Puerto Rican desserts! Puerto Rican sweets like Quesitos, Pastelillos de Guayaba, Tres Leches cake, Flan and Piña Colada are fan favorites at this woman-owned and founded Puerto Rican bakery, where handcrafted desserts and custom cakes bring flavor and culture to every bite.
Our mission is to redefine the bakery experience in Woonsocket by bringing traditional Puerto Rican sweets and desserts to the city while fostering a welcoming environment! All Things Tropical fills the emotional gap of being away by bringing the warmth, flavor and essence of the island into everyday life.”
Joely Ilarraza, All Things Tropical
Millrace will have two additional vendors outdoors, Riverzedge Arts and Cat’s Creations, along with an array of standing heaters for the community to gather around. In addition to All Things Tropical, indoor vendors include Opulent Squid, who will be showcasing their upcycled posh and peculiar jewelry and Lina Bear Cookies & Chocolates among others!
In addition to the talented artisans that Millrace has to offer, shoppers and strollers can find lively seasonal entertainment throughout the day and evening on both the Market Square and River Island Art Park stages–and you know how much we love our new River Island stage! With the stroll spanning from Market to Monument Square and up to North Main Street, there will be no lack of holiday spirit sprinkled throughout Woonsocket. Various musical acts include an assortment of choirs, singers and dancers. As you make your way though the city, families will also have the option to participate in an interactive scavenger hunt, tree ornament contest, view a fire performer and vote in the best dressed window contest!
Each year, the Winter Wonderland Holiday Stroll brings out the very best of Woonsocket, but this year’s unified celebration promises to be our most magical yet. Bringing the park and stroll activities together allows us to shine an even brighter light on our downtown, our local businesses, and the spirit of community that makes this city so special.”
Woonsocket Mayor, Christopher Beauchamp
Concerned about transportation? Horse and buggy rides will be available this year along the bike path on Truman Drive, as well as a free trolley bus with multiple pick up and drop off spots downtown! Scavenger hunt locations include the Museum of Work & Culture, Woonsocket Historical Society, Beacon Charter High School for the Arts, Millrace Event Space, Timeless Antiques, Harvest Community Church, Blackstone Valley Prevention Coalition, NY Lunch, Massis Staffing, All Choices Int Market, Roadrunners Pitt Stop, Rob Roy Academy, American Contracting, Ciro’s Tavern, Lops Brewing, Clean Cuttz, Ye Olde English, The Iron Abbey, Amazing Deals, Ocean Café, and the Museum of Broadcast Technology.
After enjoying all the holiday spirit Main Street has to offer, we encourage you to continue on to River Island Art Park, for additional holiday cheer! From 3:00-8:00 pm, this festive corner of Woonsocket will feature pony rides, a petting zoo, a 5:00 pm tree lighting ceremony, food trucks, live wood and ice carvings, music, K9 demonstrations, photo prop areas, a fire pit, and last but most definitely not least–a fire truck visit from the big guy himself, Santa Claus! Santa will be available from 4-7:30pm–perfect timing to get those holiday wishes in to cap off this busy Woonsocket Saturday!
Additional special activities this year also include Showcase Pro Wrestling demonstrations from 3:00-5:00pm at 126 Main Street, a holiday open house and Lego workshop from 10:00am-4:00pm at the Museum of Work & Culture, pictures with Santa, a hot chocolate bar and card making at Beacon Charter School, and refreshments and treats at Harvest Community Church and Timeless Antiques.
We are ready to kick off the holiday season with downtown Woonsocket’s biggest event! We hope you all come down to enjoy the holiday season here in downtown Woonsocket.”
Garrett Mancieri, 2025 Event Chair
NeighborWork’s Millrace building at 40 South Main Street, Woonsocket, provides a state of the art incubator kitchen and flexible event spaces for functions large and small. Our Millrace Main Event Space can hold up to 125 people, offering seating for up to 99. We’re proud to offer a flexible a-la-cart method of renting, which ensures that renters will only pay for what they need as opposed to everything that is available. Our Café space downstairs has space for 40 people–ideal for smaller events. For more information on holding your next event at Millrace, visit www.millracekitchen.org and complete an inquiry form. Inquires will be responded to within 72 hours.
Our kitchen incubator is available for rent to individuals interested in expanding their established businesses. The space is complete with state-of-the-art equipment and a supportive team to assist with business planning and food education. Signing up to be a Millrace kitchen member offers the access to equipment and support services to help advance your food business. To become a kitchen member or book you next event, visit us at www.millracekitchen.org.
