Looking to build beautiful memories here without breaking the bank?

Think: seaside strolls on Cliff Walk, sunset drives on Ocean Drive, dockside seafood festivals, annual celebrations and parades, outdoor movies, live music, and so much more. 

Free Things to Do

We serve up million-dollar views for free.

Cliff Walk

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Newport’s enchanting 3.5-mile Cliff Walk is the perfect place for your moment of peace. Panoramic ocean views, crashing waves and the perfect amount of sea breeze on one side and stunning, Gilded Age mansions on the other.

Please note due to structural damage sections of the Cliff Walk are detoured or closed. Detours will be in place between Narragansett Avenue and Webster Street for the foreseeable future. The remainder of the walk will be open for all those walkers who make use of this iconic coastal trail.

Cliff Walk

Sachuest Point

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One of five national wildlife refuges in Rhode Island, Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge is home to 242 acres that offer an important stopover and wintering area for migratory birds in Middletown. Situated on the coast overlooking the ocean, a hike at Sachuest Point is relatively flat and easy, and offers scenic views without having to climb.





Ocean Drive

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10 miles of commanding coastline meets one winding road on Newport’s iconic Ocean Drive. Start your journey just off historic Bellevue Avenue and continue along for an undeniably tranquil journey with heart-stopping views.

  Ocean Drive Drone

East Bay Bike Path

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The East Bay Bike Path weaves through coves, marshes, parks and bridges offering a scenic journey from Providence to Bristol along the shore of Narragansett Bay. 





Bowen's & Bannister's Wharves

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Bowen’s and Bannister’s wharves are where you’ll find that undeniable downtown Newport energy. Eclectic shops, dynamic galleries and some of the best restaurants in town make this area a must-stop visit while you’re here.

Bowens Wharf Seafood in the Fall

Colt State Park

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Colt State Park boasts 464 acres of lawns, stone walls, and curving drives along one of the state’s most spectacular shorelines in Bristol. 





Beavertail Lighthouse & Museum

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Beavertail State Park is home to some of the most beautiful vistas along the New England coastline along with the third oldest lighthouse in the country. Enjoy unparalleled sightseeing from your car or on foot at one of Jamestown’s most iconic spots.

Beavertail Drone at Sunset

Fort Adams State Park

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Situated at the mouth of the Newport Harbor, Fort Adams State Park offers an exceptional panoramic view of both Newport Harbor and the East Passage of Narragansett Bay.

The park offers a wide range of activities including salt water bathing, fishing, boating, soccer, rugby.





Tiverton Four Corners

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A visit to Tiverton Four Corners is like a visit to another era. This eighteenth-century New England village is home to antique shops, galleries, consignment boutiques, and some of the creamiest scoops in New England at historic Gray’s Ice Cream.

Groundswell Tiverton

Fort Wetherhill

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Fort Wetherill State Park, situated upon 100-foot-high granite cliffs across the water from Fort Adams State Park, is a former coastal defense battery and training camp. Two or four legs, the area is perfect for exploring.





Free 2026 Events

All of the fun. None of the costs.

Newport Polar Bear Plunge

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JANUARY 1

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.

MORE DETAILS

Newport St. Patrick's Day Parade

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MARCH 14

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.

MORE DETAILS

Newport Saint Patrick's Day Parade

Art Newport

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MARCH 27-29

Art Newport, a fine art show, is making its return to Newport from March 27th - 29th at the Newport Harbor Island Resort. With a special preview kick-off Fine Arts Ball on Friday, March 27th.

The show will be open to the public on Saturday, March 28, from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM and Sunday, March 29, from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. This fine art show and ball will showcase a wide range of artists, creatives, and more. 

MORE DETAILS

 

Newport Daffodil Days

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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.

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Newport Daffodil Days City of Newport Sign with Flowers and Sun

Newport Oyster & Chowder Festival

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MAY 16-17

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.

MORE DETAILS

Newport Oyster Festival

Newport Bermuda Race Start

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JUNE 19

And they are off! The 635-mile biennial Newport Bermuda Race is the oldest regularly scheduled ocean race.

Founded in 1906, celebrating 100 years and the 54th running, the Newport Bermuda Race is scheduled to depart from Newport Harbor on June 19th, 2026, destination: Bermuda. 

MORE DETAILS

Newport Bermuda Race

Newport Pride Festival

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JUNE 27

LGBTQ+ Pride is happening in Newport, RI in June 2026!

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
  1. Flag Raising Ceremony
  2. Pride Bike Parade
  3. Newport Pride Fest & Market
  4. Newport Pride Afterdark

Enjoy curated events and experiences to celebrate community, and promote love, acceptance, inclusivity, and diversity of LGBTQ+ identities.

Newport Pride Festival

newportFILM Outdoors

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DATES TBA

Experience award-winning documentaries, pre-film live music and local food vendors at some of Aquidneck Island's most beautiful outdoor spaces. Screenings begin at sunset on select Thursdays, late June - early September. 

Copy of newportFILM outdoors

Bristol Fourth of July Parade

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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.

Bristol 4th of July Parade

Bristol Porchfest

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SEPTEMBER 20

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. 

Bristol Porchfest

Broadway Street Fair

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OCTOBER 10

The Broadway Street Fair is back, October 10th, 2026 filled with local artists, live music, food, and more. 

*Date subject to change.

Broadway Street Fair

Bowen's Wharf Seafood Festival

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OCTOBER 17-18

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.

Bowens Wharf Seafood Festival

Newport Illuminated Boat Parade

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NOVEMBER 27

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.

*Dates subject to change.

Newport Illuminated Boat Parade

Christmas in Newport

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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.

Holidays on the coast

For more 2026 events in and around Newport, click here

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