Live outdoor music and summer go hand-in-hand, especially on The Classic Coast where waterfront parks and historic venues set the stage for open-air performances. As live events started their great comeback last year, many of the area's most popular outdoor concert series return this season. The 2022 lineup is vast and includes family-friendly concerts and children's nights with an array of genres like jazz, folk, blues, house music and more. 

Read on for a list of summer concerts throughout the area. 

COVID-19 NOTE:

When you're ready, we can't wait to welcome you back to The Classic Coast. Rest assured, the safety and well-being of both visitors and locals remains our top priority.  All we ask when you land on these shores is that you play your part in keeping everyone safe. Please be kind and adhere to local guidelines. 

1 Nimfest

Where:
King Park, Newport
When:
Every Sunday from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Cost:
Free and open to the public

NIMFest at King Park, takes place in the park gazebo on Wellington Avenue overlooking Newport Harbor. Pack a lawn chair and a blanket for high-energy live music performances every Sunday from 3:00 - 6:00 PM through August 29.

Presented by the City of Newport, all concerts are free of charge. Leashed pets welcome.

 

THE SCHEDULE:
  • July 10: Future Phase, Dan Burke & The Royal Treatment
  • July 17: Mel & The Unruly Roots, Brian Twohey
  • July 24: Down City Band
  • July 31: Bar Fly, CC Louise & Friends
  • August 7: Eddy's Shoe, Mansfield Band
  • August 14: Swinglane Orchestra
  • August 21: Cee Cee & The Riders, The Digg-It Band
  • August 28: The 40, Islander Rockers

 

NIMFest Outdoor Concert at Kings Park

 
More Details

 

2 Easton's Beach Family Night

Where:
Easton's Beach
When:
Every Tuesday at 6:00 PM
Cost:
Free and open to the public

Live music comes with oceanfront views at Easton's Beach Family Night Concert Series every Tuesday starting July 5th through August 9th. All shows begin at 6:00 PM, Parking is free after 4:00 PM on show nights!

 

THE SCHEDULE:
  • July 5: The Rockin' Soul Horns
  • July 12: Country Wild Band
  • July 19: The Greg Sherrod Band
  • July 26: Bar Fly
  • August 2: Avenue A—sponsored by Newport Hospital
  • August 9: Down City Band—sponsored in memory of Ralph Gizzi

 

More Details

 

3 Easton's Beach Children's Night

Where:
Easton's Beach
When:
Every Thursday at 6:00 PM
Cost:
Free and open to the public

Interactive live bands, magicians and story tellers complete your child's experience at Easton's Beach Children's Night Series every Thursday in July. Festivities begin at 6:00 PM, parking is free after 4:00 PM on show nights!

 

THE SCHEDULE:
  • July 7: Johnny the K
  • July 14: Big Joe the Storyteller
  • July 21: T-Bone
  • July 28: Toe Jam Puppet Band
 
MORE DETAILS

 

4 Waterfront Concert Series

Where:
King Park, Newport
When:
See schedule below
Cost:
Free and open to the public

The Waterfront Concert Series returns to King Park this year for live performances under the gazebo. Pack a blanket or a picnic chair to enjoy a variety of genres including blues, folk, Irish folk and more. Presented by Friends of the Waterfront with a gift from the Isham Family Fund, concerts take place on Fridays from 5:00 - 7:00 PM, with the last concert of the series on Saturday, September 3rd from 3:00 - 6:00 PM.

Leashed pets welcome.

 

THE SCHEDULE:
  • June 24: Summer Kick Off with Virginia James, original folk/pop trio
  • July 8: James Montgomery + All Star Blues Band—Blues Masters
  • July 22: Folk music with Irish In America, opening Bill Killian’s Voyages
  • August 5: Art Pop & Jazz with Chase Ceglie, opening guitarist Julio Amaro
  • August 19: Blues/Soul with Shari Puorto Band with Doug Woolverton, opening blues fiddler Ilana Katz Katz
  • September 3:Irish Folk Music & Ceili Dance, with dance master Kevin Doyle’s Roscommon Soles, Turas, Rhode To Dublin and harpist Mary King

 

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5 Sundays at East Ferry Memorial Square

Where:
East Ferry Memorial Square, Jamestown
When:
Sunday from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Cost:
Free and open to the public

Make your way to East Ferry Memorial Square in Jamestown for free evening music overlooking Narragansett Bay. Concerts are held on Sundays from 6:30 - 8:00 PM from July 10th through August 21st, and 6:00 - 7:30 PM on August 28th. 

 

THE SCHEDULE
  • July 10: Steamy Windows—Funky dance band
  • July 17: 19th Nervous Breakdown—Rolling Stone's cover band
  • July 24: Howlin Rhodes—Local R&B /Country
  • July 31: Nickle Jukebox
  • August 7: CC and the Riders—Soul /R&B
  • August 14: Greg Abate—Jazz
  • August 21: The Greg Sherrod Band
  • August 28: Jamestown Community Band, starting at 6:00 PM

 

More Details

 

6 Norman Bird Sanctuary Summer Outdoor Concert Series

Where:
Norman Bird Sanctuary
When:
See schedule below
Cost:
$35 - $40

The Summer Outdoor Concert Series unites two Aquidneck Island nonprofit organizations for a diverse lineup of outdoor performances at the Norman Bird Sanctuary. Celebrating Newport Live's (formerly known as Common Fence Music) commitment to preserving folk music traditions, these concerts provide an opportunity to enjoy time outside in nature while listening to live music

 

THE SCHEDULE
  • June 10: Kyshona
  • July 8: Mark Erelli
  • August 5: Lisa Morales
  • September 16: The Suitcsase Junket

 

More Details

 

7 Shops at Long Wharf Free Summer Concert Series

Where:
Shops at Long Wharf Mall
When:
See schedule below
Cost:
Free

Shops at Long Wharf Free Summer Concert Series are back! Please join us again this season for a summer of free concerts in Downtown Newport.

 

THE SCHEDULE
  • May 28: Half Step Down
  • June 4: In Tandem
  • June 11: Black Lights
  • June 18: John and Joanne
  • June 25: Stu Krous
  • July 2: Y not 3
  • July 3: Lana Katz Katz
  • July 9: The Blenders
  • July 16: Cee Cee and the Riders
  • July 22: Half Step Down
  • July 30: Amy Kucharik and Friends
  • August 6: Y not 3
  • August 13: In Tandem
  • August 20: John and Joanne
  • August 27: Lana Katz Katz
  • September 3: Half Step Down
  • September 10: The Blenders
  • September 17: Black Lights
  • September 24: Lana Katz Katz
  • October 1: Stu Krous
  • October 8: Cee Cee and the Riders

 

More Details

 

8 Bristol Fourth Concert Series

Where:
Independence Park, Bristol
When:
See schedule below

Bristol Fourth of July Concert Series in Independence Park, Bristol from June 19 - July 2, 2022

 
THE SCHEDULE
  • Sunday, June 19, 2022
    • 6:30pm - TRINITY
    • 7:45pm - ANDRE ARSENAULT & FRIENDS
  • Monday, June 20, 2022
    • 7:00pm - RI ARMY NATIONAL GUARD 88TH ARMY BAND
  • Tuesday, June 21, 2022
    •  6:30pm - JON TYLER
    • 7:45pm - PAUL PETIT & DOUBLE SHOT
  • Wednesday, June 22, 2022
    • 6:30pm - VIRGINIA JAMES
    • 7:45pm - CRUSHED VELVET
  • Thursday, June 23, 2022
    • 6:30pm - RUSTY
    • 7:45pm - CATNIP JUNKIES
  • Friday, June 24, 2022
    • 6:30pm - JESSE LIAM
    • 7:45pm - 7 DAY WEEKEND
  • Saturday, June 25, 2022
    • 6:30pm - TURAS
    • 7:45pm - LUIS NEVES SHOW
  • Sunday, June 26, 2022
    • 7:00pm - CHANGES IN LATITUDES
  • Monday, June 27, 2022
    • 6:30pm - PATTERSON SMITH TRIO
    • 7:45pm - MERCHANTS OF COOL
  • Tuesday, June 28, 2022
    • 6:30pm - OCEAN STATE RAMBLERS
    • 7:45pm - BULLETPROOF
  • Wednesday, June 29, 2022
    • 7:00pm - WORLD PREMIER BAND
  • Thursday, June 30, 2022
    • 7:00pm - STEVE SMITH AND THE NAKEDS
  • Friday, July 1, 2022
    • 6:30pm - REDHANDED BAND
    • 7:45pm - BACK IN THE DAY BAND
  • Saturday, July 2, 2022
    • 6:30pm - BAR FLY
    • 7:45pm - DMB PROJECT

 

More Details

 

9 Blithewold Mansion's Music at Sunset

Where:
Blithewold Mansion
When:
Every Wednesday from July through September. Parking and check-in opens at 5:00 PM.
Cost:
4 Passenger car: Member $45, Non-Member $60 | 2 Passenger car: Member $25, Non-Member $30

Each summer in Bristol, the award-winning gardens and grounds at Blithewold Mansion serve as the stage for the Music at Sunset Concert Series where local artists gather each Wednesday for a variety of musical performances. 

Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic and chairs/blankets to set up among Blithewold's 33 acres of gardens and grounds overlooking Narragansett Bay. 

 

JULY: 6:00 - 8:00 PM

 

AUGUST: 6:00 - 8:00 PM

SEPTEMBER: 6:00 - 8:00 PM

 

More Details

Blithewold Music at Sunset Concert Series

 

10 Warren Summer Concerts

Where:
BURR’S HILL PARK BAND SHELL
When:
Every Sunday from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Cost:
Free and open to the public

Enjoy a night of entertainment at Warren’s iconic Band Shell. Pack a blanket and chairs and settle in on the lawn at Burr's Hill Park for live performances from some of the area’s most talented artists and bands. Concerts are Sundays through September 4 at 5:00 PM.

Presented by the Warren Parks and Recreation Department. Leashed dogs welcome.

 

THE SCHEDULE:
  • July 10: Merchants of Cool—Foreigner Tribute
  • July 17: Wicked Acoustic—Acoustic Rock
  • July 24: Crushed Velvet—70's Rock Tribute
  • July 31: Back in the Day—80's Rock Tribute
  • August 7: Jesse Liam—Pop
  • August 14: Atwater-Donnelly Trip—American Folk
  • August 21: G-Squared—Patry Duo
  • August 28: The Patterson: Smith Trio—Folk, jazz, blues
  • September 4: Neil & The Vipers

 

More Details

 

11 Jazz Series at Herreshoff Marine Museum

Where:
Herreshoff Marine Museum Waterfront
When:
Weekly on Wednesdays from July 13 to August 31, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Cost:
Members: $20, Non Members: $30, Full Series Pass: $125 (Members Only)

Head to the Waterfront, under the Herreshoff Marine Museum Tent, for their Summer Sunset Jazz Series. Bring a lawn chair (some will be provided on site), your own drinks, and enjoy a night of Jazz in Bristol. Food Trucks will be on site during most concerts. 

THE SCHEDULE:

 

 

More Details

 

12 Music at the Fort

Where:
Fort Adams State Park
When:
SEE SCHEDULE BELOW
Cost:
Free and open to the public

Head to Fort Adams, because Music at the Fort is Back! Enjoy an evening of free music at Fort Adams while watching the sunset. Food and drink vendors on site. Bring your beach chair and blanket and come enjoy an evening at Fort Adams!

 
THE SCHEDULE:
  • June 15: The Ravers
  • July 12: Rhode Island Youth Stage Band
  • August 24: Those Guys
  • September 7: The Ravers

 

More Details

 

13 Middletown's Monday Night Beach Concert Series

Where:
Fort Adams State Park
When:
SEE SCHEDULE BELOW
Cost:
Free and open to the public

The Town of Middletown is hosting a free music at Second Beach, Mondays during the month of August from 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM. Food trucks and beach fires will be available, but alcohol and dogs are prohibited. 

 
THE SCHEDULE:
  • August 1: Travis Colby
  • August 8: Jesse Liam Band
  • August 15: Moment's Notice
  • August 22: Roger Ceresi & The All Starz
  • August 29: The Ravers

 

More Details

 

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