FEATURED EVENTS
Each day throughout the festival brings a lengthy list of unique and engaging events for the entire family. Listed below are the featured events provided by newportwinterfestival.com. The complete list of daily events can be found here.
❄️ Denotes a kid-friendly event
POLAR PINEAPPLES
When: Friday, February 14 + Saturday, February 15; 3:00 - 11:00 PM
Where: Gurney's Newport
Admission: Cash bar; Free hot cider with bracelet
Purchase a cocktail from the ice bar at Gurney's Polar Pineapples and stay warm around one of their eleven fire pits, all while having the best views of the bay. Free hot cider with bracelet.
THE EAGLES EXPERIENCE
When: Friday, February 14; 8:30 PM
Where: Newport Marriott
Admission: $20, $15 in advance or with bracelet
With a one-to-one lineup that reflects the Eagles during their heyday in the late 70s, the members of the band are each dedicated to presenting their part as accurately as possible, and will provide you with an ultimate “Eagles Experience.”
25TH ANNUAL CHILI COOK-OFF PRESENTED BY SAM ADAMS
When: Saturday, February 15; 11:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Where: Gurney's Newport
Admission: $12, $10 with bracelet; Kids $5, $2 with bracelet; Children 4 and under free
Winter heats up as area restaurants and caterers compete to see who has the best chili in town. Bring your appetite and join in the fun as you choose your favorite chili.
Pro Tip: Take advantage of the free trolley running on Saturday February 15. It begins at 11:15 AM and runs through 3:45 PM, stopping at the Newport Gateway Center, Newport Harbor Hotel, and The Red Parrot before making its way to Gurney's for the cook-off.
❄️ MYSTERIOUS DECEPTIONS WITH ILLUSIONIST DAVID GARRITY
When: Saturday, February 15; 6:30 PM
Where: Newport Marriott
Admission: $10, $8 in advance or with bracelet
Mysterious Deceptions will be full of hilarious stunts of apparent mind-reading, an incredible illusion where a table mysteriously floats around the stage and out into the audience, "dangerous" stunts and a Houdini-style "Escape Challenge" Illusionist David Garrity uses visual magic and illusions combined with music, pantomime, situation comedy and audience participation to entertain
JIMMY BUFFET TRIBUTE BAND
When: Saturday, February 15; 8:30 PM
Where: Gurney's Newport
Admission: $17 in advance or with bracelet, $22 at the door; VIP: $50/$45 with bracelet (includes 1 drink ticket & up front seating at a table)
Newport Winter Festival presents Changes in Latitudes, the country’s premier tribute show to the Mayor of Margaritaville, Jimmy Buffett. This nationally acclaimed band travels the country with beach balls and leis flying, dancing conga lines, and “Trop Rock” fun for all. You can expect to hear classics like Margaritaville, Volcano, and of course Changes In Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes.
❄️ TOE JAM PUPPET BAND
When: Sunday, February 16, 12:00 PM
Where: Gurney's Newport
Admission: $6, $3 with bracelet
Toe Jam Puppet Band offers a special brand of hands-on children's entertainment that grown-ups can actually enjoy. The performances are very active, encouraging kids and parents to sing and dance along with the band as they entertain with a unique combination of original songs, masterful shadow puppetry, storytelling and just plain old good fun.
❄️ RAINFOREST REPTILE SHOW
When: Sunday, February 16, 2:00 PM
Where: Gurney's Newport
Admission: $6, $3 with bracelet
Kids will learn all about these fascinating animals, their natural behaviors and their habitats. Animals include alligators, snakes, turtles, and lizards.
❄️ ROBERT CLARKE JUGGLER & COMEDIAN
When: Monday, February 17, 12:00 PM
Where: Gurney's Newport
Admission: $7, $3 with bracelet
Boston magician & juggler Robert Clarke provides total variety magic shows in Boston and beyond that include magic, juggling, comedy routines and tons of audience interaction. This show is non-stop, high energy and crowd pleasing.
❄️ MAD SCIENCE SHOW
When: Monday, February 17, 2:00 PM
Where: Gurney's Newport
Admission: $7, $3 with bracelet
Children will be dazzled and "edutained" during this show designed to thrill audiences of children and adults alike with impressive science experiments. Watch things bubble, explode, shatter, and take on a life of their own. It’s not magic, it’s science.
❄️ PRINCESS PARTY
When: Tuesday, February 18; 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Where: OceanCliff
Admission: $15, $10 with bracelet
Join your favorite Frozen sisters at a location truly fit for a princess. Wear your favorite princess attire for a royal afternoon filled with stories, songs and surprises.
❄️ SAM ADAMS BEER DINNER
When: Tuesday, February 18; 6:00 PM
Where: The Mooring
Admission: $70, $65 with bracelet
Enjoy this annual event as a visiting brewmaster from Sam Adams brewery guides guests through a selection of beers paired with a distinct menu specially prepared by The Mooring chefs. Reception begins at 6:00 PM; dinner served at 6:30 PM.
❄️ TEDDY BEAR TEA
When: Wednesday, February 19; 11:00 AM
Where: Newport Harbor Hotel
Admission: $5, free with bracelet
Bring your favorite Teddy Bear and listen to the musical storyteller Christopher ‘Kavi’ Carbone share captivating stories and songs of the wonders of winter, while having tea for adults and milk and cookies for children presented by the Newport Harbor Hotel.
❄️ LIVE JAZZ FOR KIDS
When: Thursday, February 20; 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Where: Greenvale Vineyards
Admission: Free
Vocalists Tish Adams and Dick Lupino on bass and guest musician Yvonne Monnett. The artists will entertain guests with songs kids know and love in a jazz setting incorporated with old time standards. Complimentary refreshments will be served for the kids and wine tasting will be available for purchase for adults.
ANNUAL BEST HOT DRINK CONTEST
When: Thursday, February 20; 8:00 PM
Where: The Red Parrot
Admission: Free
The competitions heats up as judges determine the Best Hot Drink in Newport. Local bars and restaurants are invited to compete for the Festival Plaque. Guests 21+ will get to sample the delightful concoctions as well as enjoy drink specials. This year Crown Royal Vanilla and Red Velvet Bailey's will be the featured alcohol.
BUBBLEMANIA
When: Friday, February 21; 6:30 PM
Where: Newport Marriott
Admission: $9, $5 with bracelet
A fascinating show filled with tricky manipulations and juggling with bubbles. BubbleMania is loaded with visual comedy, quick wit, big band swing music and the untamed, often unbelievable qualities of spherical liquids. This is not a show intended to keep a 2 year old engaged; this is a bubble show to keep the 5 to 85-year-olds mesmerized. Free Parking across the street at the Visitors Center.
WINTER FESTIVAL COMEDY SHOW
When: Friday, February 21; 8:30 PM
Where: Gurney's Newport
Admission: $27 at the door, $22 in advance or with bracelet; VIP seating: $40 in advance or with bracelet, $45 at the door
Rodney Laney as seen on HBO, Comedy Central and MTV alongside Dan Crohn who has been performing stand up comedy in and around Boston for years. His jokes can be heard on XM Radio and he has been a guest on the popular podcast WTF with Marc Maron. His former day job of teaching 4th graders has provided him with an endless amount of material.
❄️ 3RD ANNUAL MAC & CHEESE SMACKDOWN
When: Saturday, February 22; 11:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Where: Newport Marriott
Admission: $18 in advance or with bracelet, $22 at the door, Children 4-9 years $10 in advance or with bracelet, $12 at the door
Area restaurants compete with their best mac & cheese. This year will have two time slots: 11:00 AM -1:00 PM or 1:30 - 3:30 PM. Note that your ticket is for one 2-hour time slot only.
COUNTRY CONCERT WITH BEN O'CONNOR
When: Saturday, February 22; 9:00 - 11:00 pm
Where: Newport Marriott
Admission: $12 in advance or with bracelet, $16 at the door; VIP: $30 in advance or with bracelet, $35 at the door
Country music artist Ben O'Connor will keep you dancing all night long to popular country hits as well as original music. Performing at the Luke Bryan / Brett Young after party in New York City, Ben has surely made a name for himself in and around the New York region. O'Connor has built a reputation in both New York City and Rhode Island, his home state.
BEACH POLO
When: Saturday, February 22 - Sunday, February 23; 1:00 PM
Where: Second Beach
Admission: Free
Winter Festival Beach Polo presented by the Newport International Polo Series. People of all ages enjoy the spectacle of horsemanship and breath-taking views of Aquidneck Island's renown Beaches when the ponies and players put on a polo match on the sand. The event is a low-impact, eco friendly exhibition that is part of the fun during Newport Winter Festival.
DAILY EVENTS
HORSEBACK RIDING BEACH TRAILS
10:00 AM, 12:00 PM + 2:00 PM. Enjoy a half-hour horseback ride along Third Beach or 2-hour horseback ride along Second Beach.
Location: Second Beach/ Third Beach
Admission: 2-hour ride: $125, $100 with bracelet; half-hour ride: $100, $80 with bracelet
HELICOPTER TOUR AND VINEYARD PACKAGE
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Helicopter and vineyard packages include a helicopter tour, wine tasting and logo wine glass from Newport Vineyards
Location: Newport Helicopter Tours + Newport Vineyards
Admission: $170 per couple. Upgrade to the Island Helicopter Tour plus the Vineyard Tour and Tasting for $240 per couple or the Lighthouse Helicopter Tour and Vineyard for $320. $10 off any tour with bracelet.
❄️ MAKE YOUR OWN SOAP
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM. Learn to create your own soap bar with a unique scent and color. Take it home to enjoy it right away.
Location: Newport Sea Foam Trading Co.
Admission: $12/ $10 with bracelet
NEWPORT VINEYARDS WINE TASTING
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Warm up with a wine tasting of Newport Vineyard's estate grown wines. Public Tours daily at 1:00 PM & 3:00 PM.
Location: Newport Vineyards
Admission: $17 wine tasting, includes souvenir logo wine glass, $2 off with bracelet
❄️ Save the Bay Seal Tours
Join Save The Bay aboard one of their education vessels for a one-hour cruise through Newport Harbor into Narragansett Bay featuring 360° views of Rhode Island State Marine mammal in their natural habitat. Catch them resting on rocks in their happy banana pose or bottling in the water. Boats are partially enclosed, but the bay can be quite chilly, so dress warmly. Daily departures from Bowen's Ferry landing on Market Square.
SCHEDULE:
- February 14: 3:00 PM
- February 15: 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM, 4:00 PM
- February 16: 3:00 PM + 4:00 PM
- February 17 - 20: 10:00 AM + 11:00 AM
- February 21 - 23: 11:00 AM + 12:00 PM
Admission: $22 adult, $17 seniors & kids 3-12, kids under 3 are free. $2 off with your bracelet.
Fire & Ice Bar
4:00 - 8:00 PM. Hotel Viking's Courtyard will feature an ice bar, fire pits & blankets. Enjoy invigorating cocktails crafted by mixologists.
Location: Hotel Viking
Admission: Cash bar
For a full listing of daily events, visit newportwinterfestival.com
