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, live music, 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 2 - 4

Newport Jazz turns 70!

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 16 - 18
Cost:
Varies; several events free

The Japan-America Society of Rhode Island is celebrating the 41st 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 The Great Elephant Migration

Where:
Newport, RI

Is there an elephant in the room? Well, how about 100 elephants on the Cliff Walk? For real. Over 100 life-size, wooden elephant structures overlooking the Atlantic to be exact. As the very first stop on their United States tour, The Great Elephant Migration is coming to Newport.

Over 100 elephants can be viewed from Cliff Walk, at Rough Point, The Breakers, and Salve Regina University, making this already iconic experience a once in a lifetime journey that is not to be missed.

Elephants will remain on display for the public from July 4 to September 7, 2024.

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4 Safe Harbor Race Weekend

Where:
Safe Harbor locations in Newport, Portsmouth and Jamestown
When:
August 9th - 11th, 2024

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 17th from 4:30 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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5 Fools Rules Regatta

Where:
East Ferry Beach, Jamestown
When:
August 17, at 9:00 AM

Calling all creatives—for nearly half a century, the Fools Rules Regatta has stood as the crown jewel of Jamestown’s summer season, drawing adventurers, spectators, and creative minds from near and far to East Ferry Beach. This beloved island tradition is a celebration of originality

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6 Warren Folks Festival

Where:
30 Cutler Street (the lot behind the mill), Warren
When:
August 17, from 1:00 - 7:00 PM

Think: Two stages of live music, local artists and vendors, food, drinks, and so much more. 

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7 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. 

 

THEY ALL CAME OUT TO MONTREUX

When: August 1st
Where: Rosecliff Lawn, Newport
Details: Venue opens at 5:00 PM, Film starts 8:00 PM

More Information
 

MAYA AND THE WAVE

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

More Information
 

ELIZABETH TAYLOR: THE LOST TAPES

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

More Information
 

COPA 71

When: August 22nd
Where: Miantonomi Park, Newport
Details: Venue opens at 5:00 PM, Film starts 7:45 PM

More Information
 

DAUGHTERS

When: August 29th
Where: The Great Friends Meeting House, Newport
Details: Venue opens at 5:00 PM, Film starts 7:30 PM

More Information

 

 

8 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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9 Blithewold Family Clambake

Where:
Blithewold Manor, Gardens & Arboretum, Bristol
When:
August 22nd, from 5:30 – 8:00 PM
Cost:
Adult: $100, Child: $35

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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10 10-Spot Ride

Where:
Around Newport
When:
August 24, from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Cost:
$150

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


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11 Farmaesthetics Pop-Up at Sweet Berry Farm

Where:
Sweet Berry Farm, Middletown
When:
Thursday - Saturday, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

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

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Farmaesthetics at Sweet Berry Farm

 

12 2024 National Muster of Fifes & Drums

Where:
Fort Adams State Park, Newport
When:
August 10th, from 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Cost:
Free

As the nation prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our independence, a major event will be taking place here in Rhode Island - the 2024 National Fife & Drum Muster. The muster, co-hosted by the Kentish Guards and Pawtuxet Rangers, promises to be a celebration of music, history, tradition, and community.

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13 Must-Take Food Tours

These leisurely-paced food tours will take you on journey that sharpens your senses and indulges your foodie side. 

 

   

14 Restaurant Deals & Specials

Burger nights, chef specials, pop-up menu's and everything in between. 

Fermentation Class
Apr 23

Fermentation Class

Fermentation Class: Featuring five wine tastings with a special theme or from a particular region…

   

15 Summer Artisan Market

Where:
Herreshoff Marine Museum, Bristol
When:
Fridays from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (excluding August 23rd)

Dive into the summer spirit at the Herreshoff Museum Art & Artisan Market!

Situated on the beautiful Bristol waterfront, this weekly market features a handpicked selection of local craftspeople and artisans, offering one-of-a-kind treasures perfect for any occasion. 

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16 Tours to Take this August

There’s no shortage of immersive ways to experience The Coast, here are just a few happening this month.

   

17 Lobster Lunch Sail

Where:
Schooner Aurora, Newport
When:
Weekly on Wednesdays

Enjoy lunch aboard Schooner Aurora with a two-hour afternoon sail through Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay. 

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18 Yoga & Fitness Events

If you can't take a break from the gym, keep your workout up by attending a class from a yoga studio, or spend the day at a fitness center in Newport.

   

19 Bike Newport Full Moon Ride

Where:
Schooner Aurora, Newport
When:
Weekly on Wednesdays

Biking under the moonlight? Count us in. Join in on this lovely evening bike ride along a coastal route that will bring us past scenic harbor, bay, and ocean views – lit first by the setting sun, and then by the rising full moon.

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20 Squared Circle Retreats Boxing & Fitness Retreat

Where:
The Pell JdV Hotel, Middletown
When:
August 22nd - August 25th

Experience a transformative journey in Newport, Rhode Island, the ideal destination for those craving personal growth.

Through innovative retreat sessions, we integrate boxing principles to instill vital life attributes like resilience and self-confidence. Recognizing the power of boxing, we foster physical wellness and equip participants with tools to navigate today's intricate world. 

MORE DETAILS

 

21 Salute to Summer Free Concert & Fireworks Show

Where:
Dewey Field, Naval Station Newport
When:
August 24th

End summer in style, head to Dewey Field, open to the public at 4:00 PM for a night of live music, food trucks, fireworks, kid friendly activities and more! 

MORE DETAILS

Fireworks

 

22 Cars & Coffee

   

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.

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