Named one of the best St. Patrick’s Day Parades and Celebrations in New England by USA Today and Yankee Magazine, Newport’s first parade took place in 1956. Today, thousands of people line the streets of downtown to enjoy the two-hour parade featuring pipe and marching bands, fife and drum corps, reenactment units, and a host of local, state, and regional organizations.
When: Saturday, March 14; 11:00 AM
Where: Begins Newport City Hall, proceeds down Thames St. to Carroll Ave. the Fifth Ward
Admission: Free
Dust off your favorite cassette tapes because this year newportFILM is taking it back to the 80’s; to the days of metal bands, big hair, leg warmers, and more. Dress for a RAD night paying tribute to your favorite 80’s musician. Think spandex, neon, teased hair, acid wash, and lots of leather. Ticket prices include cocktails, light bites, photo booth, DJ, dancing and more.
When: Saturday, March 7; 7:30 - 11:00 PM
Where: Christie's Restaurant, 14 Perry Mill Wharf
Admission: $85
Newport Vineyard's Scratch Series opens the doors to their kitchens for an up-close instruction on how they run a 100% from-scratch culinary program. An intimate group of guests will join Executive Chef Andy Teixeira and his culinary team INSIDE the kitchen to learn the step-by-step process of cooking with beer! Guests will be welcomed with a glass of wine before heading into the kitchens for the demonstrations, followed by light fare made from their creations and paired with a second glass of wine.
When: Thursday, March 12; 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Where: Newport Vineyards
Admission: $42
AN IRISH DINNER AND SESSION
Enjoy an Irish-inspired menu by Blithewold’s own Chef Anna Kelly, while enjoying a traditional session (a casual gathering of musicians playing traditional Irish music) by South Coast Rovers, as a reminder of the warmth and customs of Ireland. The kettle will be on and the ale will be flowing — slainte!
When: Saturday, March 21; 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Where: Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum
Admission: $60
Gather your flock to test your knowledge of nature, pop culture, and Norman Bird Sanctuary trivia. Teams of one or more will play side games and answer light-hearted and fun common knowledge questions to win great prizes including a $100 gift certificate to the Newport Restaurant Group. Wine, beer, and bar snacks will be served.
When: Thursday, March 12; 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Where: Norman Bird Sanctuary
Admission: $30
Join the Newport Historical Society for a talk with Professor Serena Zabin, author of The Boston Massacre: A Family History. Zabin’s The Boston Massacre delivers an indelible new slant on iconic American Revolutionary history. The story of the Boston Massacre—on a late winter evening in 1770, British soldiers shot five local men to death—is familiar to generations. But from the very beginning, many accounts have obscured a fascinating truth: The Massacre arose from conflicts that were as personal as they were political.
When: Thursday, March 12; 5:30 - 6:30 PM
Where: Newport Historical Society
Admission: $5
THE EXILES IRISH FOLK BAND
In honor of St. Patrick's Day, Rhode Island-based trio, The Exiles, will perform tunes from Ireland, Scotland, Canada and original music written in those traditions.
When: Sunday, March 15; 3:00 - 4:00 PM
Where: Redwood Library & Athenæum
Admission: $20
The Island Moving Company’s Artistic Director Miki Ohlsen will curate & present the premiere of a new work by Shane Farrell along with a selection of curated pieces from IMC’s repertory by Miki Ohlsen, Danielle Genest, Tina Kay Bohnstedt, Francis Ortiz and Ted Thomas. Enjoy this beautiful performance with a celebration toast and an intermission catered by Russell Morin Catering & Events with an open bar in the salon of Newport’s most romantic mansion.
When: March 5 - 7; 7:00 PM
Where: Rosecliff
Admission: $45 - $115
NEWPORTFILM SCREENING: THE BOOKSELLERS
Antiquarian booksellers are part scholar, part detective and part businessperson, and their personalities and knowledge are as broad as the material they handle. They also play an underappreciated yet essential role in preserving history. The Booksellers takes viewers inside their small but fascinating world, populated by an assortment of obsessives, intellects, eccentrics and dreamers.
When: March 26; 6:30 - 10:00 PM
Where: Redwood Library & Athenæum
Admission: $18
The area’s largest and most elegant bridal show presented by Newport Wedding Magazine takes place at two romantic venues: Rosecliff and OceanCliff. Plan your dream wedding all in one day. Free parking and trolley transportation between venues. Meet with more than 80 top wedding professionals. Enjoy fashion shows, live entertainment, giveaways, and tasty treats by top wedding caterers.
When: Sunday, March 1; 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Where: Rosecliff + OceanCliff
Admission: $15 in advance, $20 at the door
Classic nursery rhymes recounted by Mother Goose and playfully brought to life by Island Moving Company’s professional dancers. See magical performances of Humpty Dumpty, Miss Muffet, Jack and Jill and Sing a Song of Sixpence. There will also be photo opportunities with the characters.
When: March 6 - 8; Times vary
Where: Rosecliff
Admission: Adults, $40; Children under 12, $20
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