News for the Traveler (1)

Christmas in Newport is well-known to New Englanders and visitors to this chariming seaport. The city's tenth annual celebration will include bazaars, choral programs, tree trimming parties, bell ringers, candlelight house tours, and a holly ball.

Chateau-sur-mer, one of the Newport mansions, and a fine example of lavish Victorian architecture, will be decorated for the holiday season with fresh-cut greens and poinsettias. In the ballroom a 16-foot evergreen tree will be traditionally adorned with candles, candy, Crhistmas cards, and ribbons and bows. Beneath the tree, Victorian toys will be displayed. Arrangements of greens will decorate the mantels, with laurel roping and ribbons winding up the stairways. Eggnog and Christmas cookies will be served in the marble hall on December 14 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., but the house will be open daily from December 13 to 21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In the ballroom of the elms, another mansion, a ceiling-high tree decorated with satin balls, garlands, and lights all of gold will be on display. The ballroom at Marble House will feature a tree with red satin balls and gold garlands and lights. On the lawn of the latter mansion, a 25-foot evergreen will be it by hundreds of white lights. To receive the 1980 Christmas in Newport calendar and more information on the Newport mansions, write the Preservation Society of Newport County, 118 Mill Street, Newport, Rhode Island 02840.