“Not a penny to make a noise on the Island of Misfit Toys. Snowflakes come in different shapes and sizes, like misfit toys, they’re chock full of surprises!”
Motif magazine’s Santa Stroll of 2025 was a train that rolled down the streets of Providence with no track. “Don’t be frightened by all the noise, take a breath, regain your poise. on the Island of Misfit Toys. Seems like everyone wants to attain perfection. Nobody wants to be different and face rejection.” If you’re a Rudolph without a shiny nose the stroll will play reindeer games till Rudolph gets his nose to glow. Walking past a skate rink, with no one on the ice, a picture in front of the historical Graduate Hotel will suffice. “But here we put an end to crass putzing, so if you stick out like a big sore thumb, too tall, or too short, too smart, too dumb. We welcome you girls and boys to the Island of Misfit Toys.”
Motif’s Santa Stroll December 19, 2025 was an experience filled with Santa hats, goodie bags, games, crafts, toys and drinks for a one-of-a-kind holiday stroll of laughter and joy. The stroll began at Track 15, Providence’s new addition to the culinary scene, with seven locally chef-driven food concepts and one main bar. A musical trio sat in front of a large ambience of a yule log screen to perform holiday classics while you enjoyed a complimentary ticket for food and drink with the purchase of your Santa stroll ticket. Guests dressed their best in holiday spirit and had plenty of seating and a hostess, dressed with the mostess, invited the holiday joy to all the misfits that enjoy Motif! Their enthusiasm to start celebrating the season of giving brought them together outside the old Union Station on the cobblestone patio near an amazingly decorated tree. Once upon a time the station was the meeting grounds for 14 railways, but for this special night, it was the meeting place for The Providence Drum Troupe and many more than 14 Santas.
A vocalist on a megaphone, and lights on top hats glowing bright, with drums beating strong that led the stroll through the night. Caroling commenced and drums sounded, lights flashed and drinks clanked as the stroll headed towards Reiners Bar and Game room, a unique blend of old-school charm and grinch-flavored margaritas, the kind with the sparkling green candy rims!
Santa Stroll t-shirts for sale with lovely Santa helpers who filled the room with cheer, ornament decorating, and trying whimsical games for all. The Troupe gathered once again to lead the stroll through the streets, with elegant waves of glowing reindeer wings, and onward to GPub, a lively gastropub beneath concrete stairwells, decorated top to bottom with tinsel and gleam, which shared a unique offering of delicious holiday shots from Fireball and opportunities to enjoy more reindeer games with prizes. Strollers who won were offered a raffle ticket or a grab bag gift, like those Santa toys with slinky arms that you could suction onto the walls! One more party time up ahead, the door prize tickets must be used somewhere? Last stop, and then you’re on your own – Medici Lounge, with music, dancing, food, and more laughs. The cocktail tower of winter plum frost was filled and ready to pour. A chance to experience an elegant setting with curated cocktails, and the door prize selection began. Rising Tides Apothecary donated a LED Treatment & Wellness Goodie Bag, Thea Plant Co shared a Holiday plant and gift card, and Banner and Bone offered a free flash tattoo. CMS Gardens provided swag and samples, and Origin Brewing and Narragansett Brewing each supplied impressive gift baskets, all topped off with two tickets to the Deer Tick New Year’s Eve Show (which, due to band illness, has been postponed till spring).
Finally, strollers dressed as trees, reindeer, and Santas flooded the dance floor. It was a wonderful night of surprises around every corner.
Join us at Motif’s Santa Stroll in 2026 for our 5th annual stroll; stay tuned close for details, and remember to “Take a breath, regain your poise on The Island of Misfit Toys.”
Thanks to event sponsors: Track 15, GPub, Reiners, Medici, Thea Plant Co., Rising Tides Apothecary, Uptown Theater, Banner & Bone Tattoo, CMS Gardens, Solar Cannabis, Narragansett Brewery, and Origin Brewing.
And to amazing volunteers including: Allie Strickland, Stacy Rae, Olivia Lunger, Eric Barao, Kiara Nieves (and fam), Colleen and Steve Mulligan, Irene Yibirin, Lydia Therrien, Sabrina Ruiz, The PVD Drum Troupe and all the Santas who helped along the way.