The buzz of summer is gently fading into crisp, cozy nights and cool amber days filled with festive happenings here on The Classic Coast. Come the end of September, our coastal enclave transforms into an enchanting New England escape.
From classic fall festivals like the free Bowen's Wharf Seafood Food Festival and plenty of can't-miss harvest fairs, to pick-your-own orchards brimming with fresh, local harvest and rolling vineyards serving up locally crafted, seasonal vino, Newport and its surrounding communities are the perfect place to check off all your autumn bucket list must-do's.
Whether you prefer to toast to the season indoors, or get outside to feel that ocean breeze with a hint of Autumn on your face, we've got just the thing.
FAIRS AND FESTIVALS
From the highly anticipated Bowen's Wharf Seafood Festival (Pro tip: it's free!) to a bounty of harvest fairs and festivals, there's no shortage of chances to sip and savor your way through the season.
BOWEN'S WHARF SEAFOOD FESTIVAL
When: Saturday, October 19 - Sunday, October 20
Where: Bowen's Wharf, Newport
Admission: Free
Honoring the harvest of the sea, this Festival offers fresh local seafood, continuous live music and family fun. Cafe-style seating is set up throughout the Wharf and proceeds from festival bars benefit Oliver Hazard Perry, RI's 200-foot official sailing education vessel which will be at Bowen's Wharf Marina and available for ship visits.
NORMAN BIRD SANCTUARY HARVEST FAIR
When: Saturday, October 5 - Sunday, October 6
Where: Norman Bird Sanctuary
Admission: Adults: $6, Children: $3 (age 3-12); under 3 are free
An autumn ritual for generations of families, this beloved old-fashioned fair offers something for everyone. The “Mabel Express” Barrel Train, Monkey Bridge, mud pit, Midway games and children’s crafts tent invites kids of all ages to join in the fun. 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.
NEWPORT VINEYARD'S HARVEST FESTIVAL
When: Saturday, October 26 - Sunday, October 27
Where: Newport Vineyards
Admission: $25
Sip, savor and toast to the season's’ crush at Newport Vineyard's second annual Harvest Festival. A day full of grape stomping, pie eating, wine tasting goodness. Enjoy live music while sipping cocktails and noshing on food from the vineyard's culinary team and local vendors. Below are some of the fun activities that are being offered:
- 1:00 PM & 3:00 PM: Grape Stomping
- 2:00 PM: Pie Eating Contest
*Grape stomping and pie eating contestants will be selected at random the day of the event. Please be present and dressed accordingly.
GREENVALE VINEYARDS HARVEST FESTIVAL
When: November 9; 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Where: Greenvale Vineyards
Harvest Festival is held to celebrate the completion of the annual grape harvest. Admission is $5 per person. In addition, guests are welcome to tastings at $15, buy wine by the glass $10 or simply enjoy the day's activities including face painting and tractor rides.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
When: Through October
Where: Newport Harbor
Admission: Prices vary
Autumn breeze gets kicked up a notch on these harbor cruises through the bay. Help raise the sails on a legendary America's Cup yacht, climb aboard an authentic lobster boat, spot seals lounging off the coast on an education vessel, sip a mimosa on an 80-foot, turn-of-the-century-style pilot schooner.
When: Through Sunday, November 3
Where: Escobar's Highland Farm
Admission: $8 ages 12 and up, $6 children 5-11, free for children under 4
Get lost in the 8-acre corn maze at Escobar's Highland Farm. Not to worry, they'll rescue you if you get lost.
When: October 13, 7:30 AM
Where: Begins at Easton Beach Rotunda
Enjoy 13.1 or 26.2 miles of scenic, oceanfront splendor at the Newport Marathon and Half Marathon. Long stretches of gorgeous views, challenging hills, and Newport's unique beauty make this a bucket-list experience for any runner.
When: Nightly through October, 8:00 PM
Where: Tour departs from Mainsail Restaurant at Newport Marriott
Admission: $17 adults, $16 seniors, $10 children
Take a lantern-led evening stroll down historic Newport's shadowy lanes and discover the ghosts, ghouls and legends of our haunted city by the sea.
When: Through October
Where: Rail Explorers USA
Climb aboard pedal-powered rail bikes that travel along abandoned railroad tracks alongside the bay when you join Rail Explorers on a fall ride. Savor hot cider and s'mores every Friday through October during Friday Fireside tours.
When: October 20, 7:00 AM
Where: Jamestown, Rhode Island
Entry Cost: $50 through September 30, $55 October 1-17
Once a year, pedestrians and runners are allowed to cross the Pell Bridge on foot during the Citizens Bank Pell Bridge Run. This year's race will take place on Sunday, October 20, 2019. Open to both runners and walkers, the run is a four-mile excursion from Jamestown to Newport produced by the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority.
CLASSIC AUTUMN-IN-NEW-ENGLAND EXPERIENCES
PUMPKIN PARTIES
THE PERFECT PUMPKIN PARTY
When: October 26, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Where: Audubon Environmental Education Center
Admission: Free with center admission: Adults $6; Children (4-12) $4; Children 3 and under free
Search for hidden pumpkins throughout the wildlife refuge, try your hand at pumpkin games, then collect stickers for your own “patch.” Visit the photo booth for a fall family picture and purchase a pumpkin to decorate.
PUMPKIN PALOOZA
Frerichs Farm & Greenhouses is hosting Pumpkin Palooza every weekend through October 27 filled with family fun. Play in the hay, take a magic pumpkin coach ride, make your own scarecrow, paint a pumpkin and more.
When: Saturday and Sunday through October 27, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Where: Frerichs Farm & Greenhouses
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND GIANT PUMPKIN WEIGH-OFF
Frerichs Farm has been known for its giant pumpkins. In fact, Ron Wallace from Greene, Rhode Island not only won the day in 2015 with his 2,230 lb. pumpkin, but he set a national record and had the second largest pumpkin in the world. Head to the farm for farm activities, live music and food trucks throughout the day and pumpkin weighing at 12:00 PM.
When: Saturday, October 12, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Where: Frerichs Farm & Greenhouses
Admission: Free, $5 parking fee
TRINITY CHURCH'S ANNUAL PUMPKIN PATCH
Opening Date: October 18
Where: Queen Anne Square
Admission: Free
Trinity Church's Annual Pumpkin Patch offers a wide selection of pumpkins, mums, decorative cabbages, gourds and more. Once you've picked all your favorites, enjoy home-made goods, freshly popped popcorn and cider. Enjoy hot lunch, live music and vendors on the weekends.
ESCOBAR'S HIGHLAND FARM PUMPKIN FESTIVAL
When: Saturday, September 28, 12:00 - 4:00 PM
Where: Escobar's Highland Farm
Admission: Free
Enjoy pumpkin games, crafts, face painting and scarecrow making. Environmental artist Michael Higgins will be carving pumpkins with his chainsaw from 1:00 - 4:00 alongside Mooseman's kettle corn from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM.
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