For the past six years, Donna Mandart has brought the spirit of Christmas to life in Newport with her breathtaking Christmas Village displays. What started as a small holiday tradition has become a cherished annual event, spreading joy to residents and visitors alike.
Donna, who moved to Newport from Long Island, New York, six years ago, has been creating intricate Christmas villages for over 35 years. Her collection has grown to nearly 200 pieces, ranging from charming houses to festive figurines, each arranged with incredible attention to detail.
This year, Donna’s Christmas Village can be found at two locations:
- The larger display is at the North Country Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center, open Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. through January.
- A smaller version graces Main Street, displayed in a storefront window next to Green Mountain Cafe.
“It’s truly a labor of love,” Donna says. “I love that it brings joy, happiness, and special memories to everyone who sees it.”
Setting up the village is no small task—it takes Donna over 20 hours to arrange the tables, position the figurines, light up the houses, and sprinkle the perfect layer of snow. Each year, she redesigns the layout, creating whimsical themes like ice-fishing scenes, bustling town squares, and quaint train stations.
Donna’s connection to her display runs deep. Decades ago, her husband gifted her a single Christmas village piece shortly after their wedding, sparking a lifelong tradition. While space constraints in her Newport home led her to set up at the Welcome Center, the move has only expanded her audience and brought even more joy to the community.
Moments like the one she recalls from last year make it all worthwhile:
“An older man and his wife came to see the village. She had Alzheimer’s, and she thought she recognized the scenes. It brought her so much joy. That’s why I do this.”
Visitors are encouraged to stop by and experience the magic of Donna’s Christmas Village. Whether you’re reminiscing about Christmases past or creating new holiday memories, her display is a heartfelt reminder of the joy and warmth this season brings.