NEWPORT POLAR BEAR PLUNGE

JANUARY 1

Celebrating the 20th Anniversary!

Every New Years Day at precisely 12:00 PM, participants run into the winter waters at Easton's Beach, some dressed in costumes, some as part of teams and some in their bathing suits pulled from their stock of summer threads. The efforts are partly for fun, believe it or not, and partly for a good cause. The plunge raises money each year for the Make a Wish Foundation, comprised of tens of thousands of volunteers, donors and supporters who work to grant the wish of every child diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition.

 

NEWPORT BURGER BENDER

FEBRUARY 16-25

Unfolding in tandem with the Newport Winter Festival, Newport Burger Bender is a "best burger" contest throughout Newport and Bristol counties. Participating restaurants toss their buns into the ring with the hopes of being crowned the best burger. Try one. Try some. Try them all. Then vote for your favorite.

 

NEWPORT WINTER FESTIVAL

FEBRUARY 16-25

Touted as New England's largest winter extravaganza, the Newport Winter Festival features 10 days of non stop music, food and fun. Featuring more than 150 events, the festival offers a unique winter experience combining food, festivities, music, and fun for all ages. Highlighted events include the Chili Cook-Off, Polar Pineapples, Beach Polo, Princess Party and exciting, fun concerts by the Jimmy Buffet tribute band, The Eagles Experience and more.

 

NEWPORT ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE

MARCH 16

The Annual Newport Saint Patrick's Day Parade will be held, rain, snow, or shine beginning promptly at 11:00 AM from Newport City Hall and proceeding to Carroll Avenue at Saint Augustin’s Church in the heart of the Fifth Ward. The parade includes Pipe Bands, Marching Bands, Fife & Drum Corps, Clown Units, reenactment units, and a host of local, state, and regional organizations including police and fire units, social/fraternal organizations, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Schools, and non-profits.

 

NEWPORT DAFFODIL DAYS

APRIL 1-30

Enjoy festive, family-friendly events amid one million daffodils throughout the city, Newport Daffodil Days celebrates the arrival on spring. From a Daffy Doggies Parade and painting among the daffodils to private garden tours to festive parties, revel in one of the most vibrant times on The Classic Coast.

 

DAFFODIL DAYS AT BLITHEWOLD

APRIL 13 - 21

Each April, tens of thousands of daffodils trumpet the arrival of Spring at Blithewold Mansion in Bristol. The well-known daffodil display blankets the 33-acre seaside estate with more than fifty thousand daffodils. Meander the blossom-filled mansion grounds for an enchanting experience.

 

NEWPORT OYSTER FESTIVAL

MAY 18 - 19

The Newport Oyster Festival connects Rhode Island growers with the oyster-loving public, as well as the chefs and restaurants that serve them. Sponsors, growers, non-profits and exhibitors are on-site during the Festival to educate and provide opportunities to enjoy the bounty of aquaculture in Rhode Island.

 

ROGUE ISLAND COMEDY FESTIVAL

MAY 24 - 27

The area's bi-annual comedy festival features five days of comedy shows at multiple locations throughout the area. Created and produced by native Rhode Islanders Doug Key and Katie Latimer, the Rogue Island Comedy Festival is Rhode Island’s only stand-up comedy festival.

 

NEWPORT INTERNATIONAL POLO SERIES

JUNE 1 - SEPTEMBER 28

Newport International Polo series offers action-packed matches every Saturday through September. Watch as all-star lineups of international competitors take the field. Experience a tailgate party for the optimal experience, or plant your seat in the lawn and relax. Just don’t forget to help stomp the divots.

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NEWPORT FLOWER SHOW

JUNE 21-23

Newport Flower Show offers a variety of special events, expert guest speakers, beautiful floral designs, impressive horticulture exhibits and more. Meander stunning garden displays alongside unique shopping opportunities and opulent floral designs throughout the grounds of Marble House. 

 

NEWPORT PRIDE

JUNE 21 - 23

LGBTQ+ Pride is happening in Newport, RI in June 2024! Enjoy a weekend of creating events and experiences to celebrate community, and promote love, acceptance, inclusivity, and diversity of LGBTQ+ identities. Think: flag raising ceremonies, a market & festival with unique vendors and live music, a pride bike ride, and so much more.

 

US SENIOR OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

JUNE 27 - 30

The 44th U.S. Senior Open, conducted by the United States Golf Association, will be held June 27-30, 2024, here in Newport, at the Newport Country Club, and will feature a field of 156 of the world’s best professional and amateur senior golfers (over the age of 50). 

 

BRISTOL FOURTH OF JULY PARADE

JULY 4

The oldest Fourth of July parade celebration in America will step-off at the corner of Chestnut Street and Hope Street at 10:30 AM.

 

NEWPORT CLASSICAL MUSIC FESTIVAL

JULY 4 - 21

Enjoy more than sixty classical concerts featuring unique chamber music, American debuts, world-class artist and special events held in some of the area's most stunning, storied venues. 

 

HALL OF FAME OPEN

JULY 14 - 21

Game, set, match! Hot off Wimbledon, the top ATP World Tour pros make their way to Newport to compete in the Hall of Fame. Contested on the historic grass tennis courts of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, which have hosted all the legends of the sport since 1880, the tournament is the only event played on grass courts outside of Europe, and it offers the only opportunity to see professional men's tennis in the Northeast prior to the US Open.

 

CRAFT BREW RACES NEWPORT

JULY 20

Run, walk, or be the DD—with more than 40 local craft breweries, featuring Rhode Island's best, join in this July for this fun 5K inside historic Fort Adams. Plus enjoy a sampling from food vendors, live music, and more. 

 

NEWPORT FOLK FESTIVAL

JULY 26 - 28

If you've got a thing for history-altering performances and a pantheon of artists whose scope of musical talents range from folk and blues to indie folk, country and bluegrass, then you probably want to make your way down to Newport Folk Festival. Since its inception in 1959, the Folk Fest has brought together artists and fans for some of the most accomplished live performances in music history, from Bob Gibson in '59 to Dylan in '63.

 

NEWPORT JAZZ FESTIVAL

AUGUST 2 - 4

Newport Jazz turns 70!

Newport Jazz Festival began back in 1954 as the first outdoor music festival of its kind completely and utterly devoted to Jazz. That year brought big names in the genre like the famed Billy Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald. Ever since, the festival has produced some of the most influential performances in jazz history, from Miles Davis's 1955 solo on "'Round Midnight" and the Duke Ellington Orchestra's lengthy 1956 performance of "Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue."

 

NEWPORT INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW

SEPTEMBER 12 - 15

One of the largest in-water boat shows in the country and the premier show in New England, the Newport International Boat Show encompasses hundreds of exhibitors from around the world with new powerboats and sailboats ranging from 15 to 90 feet, plus accessories, equipment, electronics, gear and services for boaters. Meander an expansive collection of boats and accessories alongside a wealth of events

 

BRISTOL PORCHFEST

SEPTEMBER 15

Picture this: 20 bands, 10 porches, and 3 hours of live music stretching across historic High Street in Bristol, Rhode Island. From Jazz and Swing to modern bluegrass and folk, there is something for everyone at Porchfest. 

 

NEWPORT MANSIONS WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL

SEPTEMBER 20 - 22

The Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival returns to the spectacular Newport Mansions with special events, celebrity appearances, and wine and food from around the world.

 

AUDRAIN'S NEWPORT CONCOURS & MOTOR WEEK

OCTOBER 3 - 7

Newport’s extensive automotive history dates back as early as the Gilded Age. The first American car race, the Vanderbilt Cup, took place in this historic area. Given it’s rich motoring history, Newport is the premiere destination for a Concours & Motor Week. Beautiful, historic mansions and the seemingly endless Atlantic Ocean provide the most elegant of backdrops. Audrain’s Newport Concours & Motor Week will be a celebration of the automobile, uniting enthusiasts from around the world.

 

NORMAN BIRD SANCTUARY HARVEST FAIR

OCTOBER 5 - 6

An autumn ritual for generations of families, this beloved old-fashioned fair offers something for everyone featuring children’s crafts and games. Talented crafters and artisans sell their beautifully created items, enticing fair-goers to get a jump on holiday shopping. Local food and beer vendors offer an array of appetizing selections, while an impressive line-up of musicians round out the festive atmosphere. 

 

ROGUE ISLAND COMEDY FESTIVAL

OCTOBER 10 - 13

The area's bi-annual comedy festival features five days of comedy shows at multiple locations throughout the area. Created and produced by native Rhode Islanders Doug Key and Katie Latimer, the Rogue Island Comedy Festival is Rhode Island’s only stand-up comedy festival.

 

BOWEN'S WHARF SEAFOOD FESTIVAL

OCTOBER 19 - 20

Named one of the 10 Fabulous Fall Festivals on the Coast by Coastal Living Magazine, savor your way into autumn with an array of fresh, local seafood including fish tacos, lobster rolls, stuffies, chowder, fried calamari, oysters, clams signature cocktails and cold local beer.

 

PELL BRIDGE RUN

OCTOBER 20

Sponsored by Citizens Bank and hosted by the Rhode Island Bridge and Turnpike Authority, this unique 4 mile walk/run event takes participants across the iconic Pell Bridge. Starting in Jamestown and finishing in downtown Newport, this point-to-point event is open to runners and walkers of all ages and speeds! All of the proceeds of this event are donated to local charities.

 

NEWPORT RESTAURANT WEEK

NOVEMBER 1 - 10

Bring your appetite for the return of Newport Restaurant Week as area restaurants offer an assortment of crave-worthy discounts and deals for you to choose from. 

 

HOLIDAYS AT THE NEWPORT MANSIONS

NOVEMBER 23 - JANUARY 1

The decadence of Newport's Gilded Age mansions meets the sparkle and magic of Christmas during the return of holidays at the Newport Mansion. Wander three mansions, the The Breakers, The Elms and Marble House, dripping in 25 enchanting Christmas trees, a floor-to-ceiling poinsettia tree, hundreds of fresh flowers, evergreens and elaborate ornaments. 

 

CHRISTMAS AT BLITHEWOLD MANSION

NOVEMBER 27 - JANUARY 1

Each year, this historic estate transforms into a sparkling display of Christmas magic to celebrate the season. Volunteer decorators contrive a new theme each year that explores the interests of the Van Winkle family, the previous mansion owners, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Wander the elaborately decorated rooms and enjoy a glimpse into the family's Christmas and New Years traditions.

 

NEWPORT ILLUMINATED BOAT PARADE

NOVEMBER 29

Bundle up and head to the harbor for the Illuminated Boat Parade as boats deck the hulls and festive music heralds the arrival of the holiday season. Watch the parade of lights are boats compete for best decorated.

 

CHRISTMAS IN NEWPORT

December 1 - 31

Each year since 1971, December 1 has marked the kick off of Christmas in Newport, a month-long celebration complete with festive events and happenings to honor the season and give back to charities throughout the community. Experience events for nearly each day throughout December as part of the celebration.