Every year August rounds the corner faster than we're prepared for. With the final days of summer upon us, we're jam-packing our schedules with all our summer bucket list items, including but not limited to sunset sails, rooftop bars, outdoor patios, lobster rolls, movies under the stars, beach days, seaside concerts and so much more. 

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Soak up what is left of summer with our top picks for the month below.

1 Newport Jazz Festival

Where:
Fort Adams State Park
When:
August 4 - 6

The festival features three full days of jazz on four unique stages on the grounds at Fort Adams State Park situated at the mouth of Newport Harbor with panoramic views of the Newport Bridge and the East Passage. The festival features multiple stages of world class musicians, food, and crafts and a number of exhibits.

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Newport Jazz Festival

2 Black Ships Festival

Where:
Newport & Bristol, RI
When:
August 11 - 13
Cost:
Varies; several events free

The Japan-America Society of Rhode Island is celebrating the 40th Black Ships Festival, a weekend of arts, culture, and fun in honor of the friendship and cultural ties between Japan and the United States.

This year's festival will feature a variety of free, family-friendly cultural events, including taiko drumming, martial arts, and other traditional Japanese arts. 

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Japanese Drummers at Festival

 

3 NewportFILM Outdoors

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 Thursdays. 

 

IMMEDIATE FAMILY​

When: August 3rd
Where: Chateau-sur-Mer, Newport
Details: Venue opens at 5:00 PM, Film starts 8:15 PM

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COWBOY POETS

When: August 10th
Where: Newport International Polo Grounds, Portsmouth
Details: Venue opens at 5:00 PM, Film starts 8:10 PM

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WATER BROTHER: THE SID ABBRUZZI STORY

When: August 17th
Where: Fort Adams, Newport
Details: Venue opens at 5:00 PM, Film starts 8:00 PM

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INVISIBLE BEAUTY

When: August 24th
Where: The Elms, Newport
Details: Venue opens at 5:00 PM, Film starts 7:45 PM

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GOING VARSITY IN MARIACHI

When: August 31st
Where: Miantanomi Park, Newport
Details: Venue opens at 5:00 PM, Film starts 7:45 PM

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4 Al Fresco Bar & Wine Garden at The Chanler

Where :
The Chanler at Cliff Walk

Discover the Al Fresco Bar at The Chanler and embrace this summer's trendiest destination for outdoor drinks and a full menu. Or opt for the Ca' del Bosco Wine Garden, perfect for an afternoon spent curled up on an Adirondack chair, taking in the view, and sipping the decadent selection of wine.  


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5 Safe Harbor Race Weekend

Where:
Safe Harbor locations in Newport, Portsmouth and Jamestown
When:
August 11th - 13th, 2023

Embark on Safe Harbor’s 3rd annual Safe Harbor Race Weekend amidst the bustling cobblestone streets and seaside charm of downtown Newport.

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Also at Safe Harbor:

Food Truck Sunsets at Safe Harbor New England Boatworks
 

WHEN: August 19th from 4:00 to 8:30 PM
WHERE: Safe Harbor New England Boatworks
ADMISSION: Tickets are NOT required for this event and admission is free.

Enjoy the food trucks, live music and beer and wine, just pay for what you eat and drink. Over a dozen food trucks, live music with local beer and wine, from Trinity Brewhouse. Eat from your favorite local food truck or try something new...or maybe even eat at multiple trucks.

The trucks accept cash, credit, or debit. See which food trucks are participating at the upcoming events here.

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6 Ocean State Beer Fest

Where:
Unity Park, Pivotal Brewing Co, Bristol
When:
August 27th, 2:00 to 5:30 PM
Cost:
$65 (includes a souvenir tasting glass and all beer samples)

After a two year hiatus, the Ocean State Beer Festival will return on August 21st, at Ragged Island Brewing Company! This year’s theme is “Farm to Keg.”

The Ocean State Beer Festival is a fundraiser for the Rhode Island Brewers Guild & features only Rhode Island breweries. It is the only beer event focused exclusively on Rhode Island breweries. Each participating brewer has been asked to create a special beer with locally grown ingredients just for the event!

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7 Farmaesthetics Pop-Up at Sweet Berry Farm

Where:
Sweet Berry Farm, Middletown
When:
Thursday - Saturday, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

The natural and sustainable beauty brand, Farmaesthetics, will be hosting a pop-up shop at Sweet Berry Farm through the fall. Shop and swoon over the assortment of sustainable products and accessories, open weekly on Thursday - Saturdays through October. 

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Farmaesthetics at Sweet Berry Farm

 

8 Beach Bash

Where:
830 Third Beach Road, Middletown
When:
August 24th, 5:00 to 7:00 PM
Cost:
$30 Non-Member | $25 Member | $15 Child 12 and under

Dance with your toes in the sand to live music by Dave Alves while you enjoy roasting s'mores by the fireside, snacking on Ben & Jerry's ice cream, and sipping on soft drinks. Feel free to bring a picnic or order food at Peabody's Beach Club Snack Shack.

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9 Clean Ocean Access Paddle Event

Where:
Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard, Newport
When:
August 19th, 6:00 to 6:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Cost:
$50

In celebration of the ongoing work to protect and preserve shoreline access, the 6th Annual Clean Ocean Access Paddle Event will take place on August 19th at the Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard!

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10 Umbrella Sky Newport @ Brick Market

Where:
Brick Market Place, Newport

Prepare to be dazzled by an extraordinary outdoor art installation coming to Brick Market in Newport. Umbrella Sky Newport, produced by ArtScape, will unveil its captivating display of over 500 colorful umbrellas magically suspended in the sky. This breathtaking installation promises to create a magical haven for the community and visitors alike, casting sun-kissed shadows through a canopy of floating umbrellas onto the pathway of the tree lined street flanked by eclectic shops.

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11 Cutie Curls Princess Pop-Ups

Princess Ariel Party at Cutie Curls

When: August 5th, 1:30 - 2:30 PM
Where: Cutie Curls Boutique

Come join Princess Ariel and make an under-the-sea craft, do a scavenger hunt, color, and decorate your own cupcake.

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Tangled Party at Cutie Curls

When: August 19th, 1:30 - 2:30 PM
Where: Cutie Curls Boutique

Come join Rapunzel and make a craft, do a scavenger hunt, color and decorate a cupcake.

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12 Events at Newport Vineyard

TANK PATIO COOKOUT WEEKEND

When: Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays
Where: Newport Vineyards

Every weekend is treated like a holiday here with cookouts on our Tank Patio Friday – Sunday all summer long! Enjoy your grill favorites all made from-scratch by our culinary team, plus our famous rosé popsicles, sangria slushes, wines, and Taproot beers.

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Wednesday Flight Night

When: Recurring weekly on Wednesdays
Where: Newport Vineyards

Head to Newport Vineyards for $15 wine or beer flights, after 3:00 PM, plus a rotating board of complementing house made pairings, created by Executive Chef Andy!

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TAPROOT TACO THURSDAYS

When: Recurring weekly on Thursday
Where: Newport Vineyards

Taco Thursdays are here! Head to Newport Vineyards every Thursday for creative rotating street taco creations. Sold as 1 for $6 each, order as many as you can eat! 

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13 Arboretum Tours

 

14 Hotel Viking Pop-ups

Hill Market After Dark

WHEN: Thursday - Sundays, 5:00 - 10:00 PM
WHERE: Hotel Viking, Newport

Head to the Hotel Viking lobby café for Hill Market After Dark – with delectable desserts like parfait cups (s’mores, lemon meringue, or strawberry shortcake – pick your flavor), plus Nitro Espresso Martinis and other after dinner drinks.

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Ketel One Botanicals on One Bellevue Patio

WHEN: Saturday & Sundays, 12:00 - 3:00 PM
WHERE: Hotel Viking, Newport

Enjoy a selection of vodka distilled with real botanicals and infused with natural fruit essences at the One Bellevue Patio all summer long. 

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Hotel Viking Front Entrance In Newport, RI

 

15 Events at Norman Bird Sanctuary

Coastal Conversations: The Commercial Fisheries Research

WHEN: August 3rd, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM
WHERE: Norman Bird Sanctuary, Middletown

Immerse yourself in the beauty of Third Beach as we stroll along the sandy shore and watch the sunset over the horizon. Explore the stunning open-air Coastal Education Center and marine lab as you soak up the coastal breeze.

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Nature Inspired Summer Stitching

WHEN: August 5th, from 9:00 to 10:15 AM
WHERE: Norman Bird Sanctuary, Middletown

Taught by one of our talented Welcome Center Ambassadors, this program offers instruction about the necessary tools to create your own art as well as several basic stitches commonly used in embroidery. 

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Mushroom Hunting Lecture

WHEN: August 10th, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM
WHERE: Norman Bird Sanctuary, Middletown

Using an incredible slideshow featuring local photography, Ryan Bouchard and Emily Schmidt will explain the basics of wild mushroom science and safety, and the local in-season species that are considered "safe for beginners" to cook with.

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Mushroom Hunting Guided Walk

WHEN: August 12th, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM
WHERE: Norman Bird Sanctuary, Middletown

Learn how knowing the ecology of wild mushrooms can help you find them.

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16 Coastal Queen Cruises

 

17 Fishes at the Fort

Where:
Fort Adams State Park
When:
August 18th, from 4:00 – 8:00 PM
Cost:
$250 per person

Indulge in an unforgettable evening of coastal delights at our extraordinary seafood fundraiser!


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18 Blithewold Family Clambake

Where:
Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum, Bristol
When:
August 24th, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Cost:
Adult: $85, Child: $30

The Great Lawn has been the scene of family clambakes for more than a century! Step back in time, play lawn games, and stroll the Gardens and Grounds. Feast on a traditional Rhode Island clambake while you relax and enjoy the sunset as Blithewold guests have for generations.


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19 10-Spot Ride

Where:
Around Newport
When:
August 26th, from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Cost:
$140

Ride to 10 beautiful private “Spots” around lovely Newport for live music & local food.


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20 Cars & Coffee

Cars & Coffee at Longplex Family & Sports Center

WHEN: August 6th, from  8:00 to 10:00 AM
WHERE: Longplex Family & Sports Center, Tiverton

Join Audrain Auto Museum for a morning of cars and coffee at Longplex Family & Sports Center in Tiverton.

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Cars & Coffee at Newport Polo

WHEN: August 13th, from  8:00 to 10:00 AM
WHERE: Newport Polo, Portsmouth

Join Audrain Auto Museum for a morning of cars and coffee at Newport Polo in Portsmouth.

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Cars & Coffee at Fort Adams

WHEN: August 20th, from  8:00 to 10:00 AM
WHERE: Fort Adams, Newport

Join Audrain Auto Museum for a morning of cars and coffee at Fort Adams in Newport.

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Cars & Coffee at The Elms

WHEN: August 20th, from  8:00 to 10:00 AM
WHERE: The Elms, Newport

Join Audrain Auto Museum for a morning of cars and coffee at The Elms in Newport.

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21 Endless Summer at Mount Hope Farm

Where:
Around Newport
When:
August 26th, from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Cost:
$140

Don’t let the summer end without enjoying a fun afternoon at Mount Hope Farm. Participate in historical games and competitions, sack races, tug of war, corn hole, and Coggeshall’s old favorites.

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farmers markets

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live music

Dylan doesn’t go electric every day (Newport ‘65 Folk Festival) but chances are somebody is plugging in or stepping up to the mic on any given day here on The Classic Coast. Find all live performances happening throughout the month below.

Shops at Long Wharf Free Summer Concert Series Sep 30

Shops at Long Wharf Free Summer Concert Series

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 27: In Tandem June 3: Llana Katz Katz June 10: Half Step Down June 17: John and Joanne June 24: Y not 3 July 1: Stu Krous…

NEE JAM Oct 02

NEE JAM

Get ready to groove with the NEE JAM (North End Entertainment Jam) at the Firehouse Theater every 1st and 3rd Monday from 7-10 pm. This free event welcomes all music enthusiasts to come and join the jamming sessions. Bring your own drinks and food to enjoy while you listen to the…

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