The 30th Annual Newport Winter Festival returns with 10 days of live music, foodie contests, kid-centric activities and much more throughout Newport County from February 16 - 25, 2018. Touted as New England's largest winter extravaganza, Newport Winter Festival offers more than 150 events. Spice things up with the renowned chili cook-off, make your own perfume, horseback ride on the beach or bundle up and head over to Pineapples for an ice bar with a front row seat to picturesque views of Narragansett Bay in the winter.
Everything you need for the ultimate winter experience below.
STAY AND SAVE
Staying overnight? Take advantage of exceptional deals with these unique packages to enhance your festival visit.
PRICING
Pricing varies for each event ranging from free to up to $40. This year's bracelets can be purchased for $10 and provide free admission and significant discounts to all official festival events. Bracelets provide more than $500 in savings, retail discounts and restaurant specials to more than 50 local businesses.
Bracelets can be purchased online or at:
- Bailey T's 12 Long Wharf Mall, Newport
- Bowen's Wharf Welcome Center 13 Bowen's Wharf, Newport
- Clements Market East Main Road, Portsmouth
- The Cookie Jar 29 Bowen's Wharf, Newport
- Hampton Inn & Suites 317 West Main Road, Middletown
- Homewood Suites 348 West Main Road, Middletown
- Hotel Viking One Bellevue Avenue, Newport
- Gurney's Resort Goat Island, Newport
- Residence Inn by Marriott 325 West Main Road, Middletown
- Newport Harbor Hotel 49 America's Cup Avenue, Newport
- Newport Visitor Center 23 America's Cup Avenue, Newport
- Shaw's Supermarket East Main Road, Middletown
- Walgreens East Main Road, Middletown
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 16 - Saturday, February 17; 3:00 - 9:00 PM
Where: Gurney's Newport Resort
Admission: Cash bar; Free hot chocolate at Five33 Lounge with bracelet
Details: Pineapples outdoor bar at Gurney's will be transformed again this year for the 4th annual Polar Pineapples! Try a signature infused cocktail or specialty hot drink (alcoholic and non-alcoholic options available) while enjoying views of the bay. This year we will have a variety of ice sculptures and an ice luge.
23RD ANNUAL CHILI COOK-OFF
When: Saturday, February 17; 11:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Where: Gurney's Newport Resort
Admission:
Details: Winter heats up as area restaurants and caterers compete to see who has the best chili in town! Bring your appetite, sharpen your taste buds, and join in the fun as you choose your favorite chili! Enjoy Sam Adams specials.
BEACH POLO
When: Saturday, February 17 - Sunday, February 18; 2:00 PM
Where: Easton's Beach
Admission: Free
Details: Enjoy the spectacle of horsemanship and breathtaking views of Newport’s renowned beaches while ponies and players partake in a polo match on the sand.
JIMMY BUFFET TRIBUTE BAND
When: Saturday, February 17; 8:30 PM
Where: Gurney's Newport Resort
Admission: $17, in advance with bracelet, $22 at the door; VIP: $50/$45 with bracelet (includes 1 drink ticket & up front seating)
Details: 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.
❄️TEDDY BEAR TEA
When: Tuesday, February 20; 11:00 AM
Where: Newport Harbor Hotel
Admission: $4, free with bracelet
Details: 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.
SAM ADAMS BEER DINNER
When: Tuesday, February 20; 6:00 PM
Where: The Mooring
Admission: $60 per person, $55 with bracelet
Details: 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.
❄️PRINCESS PARTY
When: Wednesday, February 21; 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Where: OceanCliff
Admission: $12, $7 with bracelet
Details: Join Moana and Ariel for the Winter Festival Princess Party at location truly royal for a princess! Enjoy treats fit for a princess. Wear your favorite princess attire for a royal afternoon filled with stories, songs and surprises. Co Sponsored by OceanCliff/ Newport Experience
❄️LIVE JAZZ FOR KIDS
When: Thursday, February 22; 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Where: Greenvale Vineyards
Admission: Free
Details: The artists Tish Adams and Dick Lupino 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.
❄️13th ANNUAL ILLUMINATED GARDEN
When: Thursday, February 22; 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Where: Ballard Park
Admission: Free
Details: Thousands of lights displayed in the three-acre quarry meadow.
WINTER FESTIVAL COMEDY SHOW
When: Friday, February 23; 8:30 PM
Where: Gurney's Newport Resort
Admission: $28, $22 with bracelet; VIP seating: $55, $50 with bracelet (includes 1 drink ticket and preferred seating)
Details: Featuring Steve Sweeny and Marion Grodin presented by the Newport Comedy Series & Newport Winter Festival.
BUBBLEMANIA
When: Friday, February 23; 6:30 PM
Where: Newport Marriott
Admission: $8, $4 with bracelet
Details: 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.
INAUGURAL MAC & CHEESE SMACK DOWN
When: Saturday, February 24; 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Where: Gurney's Newport Resort
Admission: $12, $9 with bracelet; Children 4-10, $8, $5 with bracelet
Details: Area restaurants compete with their best mac & cheese. Sample all and vote for your favorite
COMPETITIONS
Tropical Drink Contest
Sunday, February 19. 9:00 PM. Gas Lamp Grille. Compete for the best tropical drink or enjoy free samplings of each drink.
Mac & Cheese Smack Down
Saturday, February 24. 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM. Gurney's Newport. Area restaurants compete with their best mac & cheese
Best Hot Drink Contest
Thursday, February 22. 8:00 PM. The Red Parrot. Local bars and restaurants are invited to compete for the Festival Plaque. Guests will get to sample the delightful concoctions as well as enjoy drink specials.
DAILY EVENTS
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Tour the historic summer homes of Newport's elite.
Admission: Prices range between $15- $26, $3 off with bracelet; kids under 17 free when accompanied by an adult with bracelet.
9:30 AM & 1:30 PM. Children Must be accompanied by and adult.
Admission: Free. Advanced reservations required. all 401-847-1851, or register online: newportmansions.org/learn
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM. Kids design your own tumbler. Receive 20 percent off with bracelet.
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. The interactive marine science learning center houses more than 30 exhibits and hundreds of creatures that call Narragansett Bay home. Explore a variety of Bay life in three touch tanks, plus hands-on science experiments, activities and crafts. See Smooth Dogfish Sharks, Little Skates in all stages of their life cycle, chain cat sharks, crabs, urchins, sea stars, several turtle species, sea robins, flounder, tropical migrants and so much more.
Admission: $8/$7 with bracelet, seniors and Military ID $7, Save The Bay members and children under 3 are free.
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Helicopter and vineyard packages include a helicopter tour, tasting and logo wine glass.
Admission: $165 per couple. Upgrade to the Island Helicopter Tour plus the Vineyard Tour and Tasting for $235 per couple or the Lighthouse Helicopter Tour and Vineyard for $315. $10 off any tour with bracelet.
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Winery Tours start at 2:00 PM and include seven wines and a wine glass. Enjoy samples of award winning, estate-grown wine from this 50-acre family farm now operating as a vineyard. Weather permitting. 15% discount off wine purchases with bracelet.
(Exceptions: Sunday, February 18 and Wednesday, February 21). 12:00 - 4:00 PM. Learn to create aromatherapy perfume blends with healer and chemist, Cynthia LaBonte.
Admission: $25/ $18 with bracelet.
11:00 AM - 4:30 PM Decorate your own snowman cookie and eat it too.
Admission: $8/$6 with bracelet.
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Create and design your own soap with unique scent and color.
Admission: $11/$9 with bracelet.
Join Save The Bay aboard one of their education vessels for a 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.
One Hour Seal watch cruises:
- February 16 - 18: 12:00 PM & 1:00 PM
- February 19 - 20: 1:00 PM & 2:00 PM
- February 21 - 22: 1:30 PM & 2:30 PM
- February 23: 2:30 PM & 3:30 PM
Admission: $22 adult, $17 seniors & kids 3-12, kids under 3 are free. 10% off with your bracelet both online and at the dock.
Two-hour Seal Watch and Rose Island Lighthouse Tour:
- February 24: 1:00 PM & 2:00 PM
- February 25: 10:00 AM & 11:00 AM
Admission: $42 adult, $32 seniors & kids 3-12, kids under 3 are free. 10% off with your bracelet both online and at the dock.
4:00 - 8:00 PM. Hotel Viking's Courtyard will feature an ice bar, fire pits & blankets. Enjoy invigorating cocktails crafted by mixologists.
Admission: Cash bar
MORE KID-FRIENDLY EVENTS
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