May might just be one of our favorite months.

Outdoor patios reopen for the season, sailboats return to the water and we find ourselves reunited with the ocean breeze. Not to mention, May packs a punch with the return of some highly anticipated annual events.

From the Newport Oyster & Chowder Festival that brings two days of fresh local seafood and live music to the waterfront, to the semi-annual Rogue Island Comedy Festival. May on The Coast we are ready.

Our top picks for the month below.

May Hotel Deals

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Gilded Age Experience

May 10, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026

Inspired by the HBO series, our Gilded Age Package will have you feeling like a member of Mrs… Read More

Ride, Stay & Play

Mar 06, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026

Ride, Stay & Play Cadillac, the Official Sponsor of The Chanler at the Cliff Walk Experience… Read More

Stay More, Save More - 15% off 3 Nights or More

Mar 06, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026

The Stay More Save More package includes: 15% off our Best Available Rate when you book any 3-night… Read More

The Aurelia Experience

May 10, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026

Nestled within the historic Agassiz Mansion at Castle Hill Inn, Aurelia represents the pinnacle of… Read More

Stay More and Save - 15% discount

Jan 01, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026

A Unique & Memorable Experience Our Favorite Ways to Stay Perfectly placed in the heart of… Read More

Stay More, Save More - 20% Off Min 5-Night

Mar 06, 2026 - Dec 29, 2026

The Stay More Save More package includes: 20% off our Best Available Rate with a minimum 5-night… Read More

Very Important Pups at Newport Harbor Island Resort

Feb 01, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026

Your furry friends deserve a paw-some getaway, too! We understand that pets are family, and we want… Read More

Events

May on The Coast is a daydream. Our top picks for the month below.

1 Veteran Car Tour

Where:: Newport-Bristol-Newport
When:: May 3rd & 4th
Cost:: Free to watch the tour!

Welcome to the fourth annual Newport-Bristol-Newport Veteran Car Tour that will once again be gracing the roads of Newport and Bristol, RI.

The Audrain Veteran Weekend is truly a celebration of the early days of motoring, with many brass-era car collectors from New England and across the United States taking part. For 2025, the annual event has has expanded to two full days of Veteran motoring!

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2 Quahog Week

Where:: Participating Restaurants
When:: Sunday, May 11 - Saturday, May 17

Quahog Week, returning Sunday, May 11 - Saturday, May 17 for its 9th year, celebrates local restaurants, markets, fishermen, and food-based businesses committed to growing the smallest state's local food economy, while shining a light on the quahog and its many uniquely RI preparations.

Special Events & Offerings

Embrace Rhode Island's favorite local clam with these tasty events & offerings during Quahog Week.

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Newport Chowder Co Stuffie

3 Spring Tea in the Dining Room

Where:: Blithewold Manor, Gardens & Arboretum
When:: May 1st & 2nd from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Cost:: $40 Members | $55 Non-Members

We invite you for Tea in Blithewold’s Dining Room, a place where fine meals have always been served to cherished guests. Gather with friends and exchange stories while delighting in a cup of tea, freshly baked scones with sweet cream, and a 3-tiered tray filled with sweet and savory treats. Simply luxurious! Come in, sit down, relax, and enjoy the moment. The price for Tea includes admission to the Mansion and Grounds, so be sure to leave time for strolling!

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Apr 12-May 11

Blithewold: Daffodil Days

Save the Date! April 12 - May 11, 2026 Each April, Blithewold opens its gates to welcome visitors…

Where:: Newport Vineyards
When:: May 3rd from 12:00 to 5:30 PM
Cost:: $35 General Admission

Enjoy tastings from the Newport Vineyards wine & beer bars, live music, delicious bites from the talented chefs on property, grape stomping, pie eating contests, and more!

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Grape Stomping Newport Vineyards

ALSO AT NEWPORT VINEYARDS

From weekly specials, taproot beer nights, live music and seasonal festivals, there is always something fun happening at Newport Vineyards.

5 Bristol Vintage Fair

Where:: Mount Hope Farm
When:: May 3rd & 4th from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

The Bristol Vintage Market, a curated market of vintage finds, handmade goods, and local artisans, is back at Mount Hope Farm in Bristol.

Shoppers will be able to peruse booths with styles including farmhouse, coastal, mid-century modern, European, traditional, and more. Customers can purchase unique pieces as well as gain inspiration for their own space all in the pastoral and historical setting of Mount Hope Farm.

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6 Kentucky Derby Party at The Vanderbilt

Where:: The Vanderbilt, Auberge Resorts Collection
When:: May 3rd from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Cost:: $95 per person

Head to The Vanderbilt for their second annual Kentucky Derby party to celebrate this Southern tradition. Bright and colorful dress, jewelry and accessories encouraged, with a hat contest for the best headpiece

FAST FACTS

Saturday, May 3, 2025 from 5:00 - 8:00 PM, Race begins at 6:45 PM
Tickets include access to party, stationed food, live music and entertainment, cash bar available
Live bluegrass band, corn hole and lawn games, Kentucky Derby lottery with a grand prize, live streaming of the broadcast

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7 Newport Oyster & Chowder Festival

Where:: Bowen's Wharf
When:: Saturday, May 17 - Sunday, May 18 from 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Cost:: Free

You don't have to travel far to find a cup of life-altering clam chowder when you're in Newport. It's kind of a big deal here. In fact, it's right up there with fresh-from-the-ocean oysters and heaping lobster rolls.

This year, Bowen's Wharf Company celebrates these Ocean State offerings with the 2025 Newport Oyster & Chowder Festival, set to return May 17 - 18 with fresh oysters and chowder from local growers and vendors.

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8 Coastal Queen Cruises

Want to earn your sea legs? Summer isn’t the only time to get out on the water. Find the May specialty cruises from Coastal Queen Cruises below.

Special Event Cruises:

May 3rd: Music Bingo Cruise
May 11th: Mother’s Day Mimosa Cruises with Live Music from Newport

MORE DETAILS

9 Green Animals Topiary Garden Opens

Where:: Green Animals Topiary Garden
When:: May 10th

After a winter hiatus enter inside the seven-acre Portsmouth estate to explore the oldest and most northern topiary garden in the United States, Green Animals Topiary Garden.

Home to more than 80 topiary animals, geometric shapes, designs, and other figures, and teeming with colorful flowers from May through October, experience an incredible collection of seasonal blooms that all ages will enjoy.

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Green Animals Topiary Garden

Also at Green Animals:

GIRL SCOUT BADGE DAY AT GREEN ANIMALS

Where:: Green Animals Topiary Garden
When:: May 17th from 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Cost:: $5 per scout. Each scout must be accompanied by an adult. Adults admitted for free.

Take this wonderful opportunity to spend some time outdoors with fellow Girl Scouts while working toward your badge completion.

Daisies will build their own mobile and identify different shapes and patterns throughout Green Animals to earn components of the Shapes in Nature Badge.
Brownies will create leaf rubbing and participate in a nature detective walk to earn components of the Outdoor Art Creator Badge.
Juniors will work toward their Gardener Badge at our Dream Garden station, where they will learn about garden design and how to choose garden plants.
Cadets will explore the garden and earn components for their Tree Badge by sketching a variety of trees at Green Animals and completing their own Tree Legend.

Presented in partnership with the Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England.

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10 Workshops & Classes

Try something new at these winter workshops from cocktail shaking to pasta making.

Apr 01

Surf Club Pizza Making Class

Surf Club

Pizza Classes Are Back!!! Led by Chef Brian, these fun and interactive classes will take place on the first Wednesday of each month. Important: All tickets must be purchased online on OpenTable Experiences - and in advance. No walk-ins allowed. For questions about public or…

Mar 18

Weekly Fermentation Class

Forty 1° North
Recurring weekly on Wednesday

Fermentation Class at Forty 1° North Wednesdays | 6:30 PM (Reservations Required) Featuring five wine tastings with a special theme or from a particular region accompanied by five small food pairings, Fermentation Class is held at the Oval Bar every Wednesday at 6:30…

Mar 19

Pasta Making Workshop

Mozz Newport

Pasta Making Workshop at Mozz Newport Select Thursdays: March 19, April 9 & 16, May 14 & 21 Time: 6:00 to 8:00 PM How can you have pasta without cheese? Or is it cheese without pasta? (Unless it’s not seafood pasta, of course… ) Learn to make your own pasta by hand in…

11 Mother's Day Events

Cheers to the woman who does it all. On Mother's Day (and every other day, for that matter) she deserves the best.

Find our roundup of brunches and things to do in and around Newport for Mother's Day, here.

May 10

Mother's Day at The Chanler

Celebrate Mother's Day with a four-course prix fixe menu crafted to honor the extraordinary women in…

Where:: Newport & Portsmouth
When:: Thursday, May 22 - Monday, May 25
Cost:: Varies

Laugh your way through the long weekend at Rogue Island Comedy Festival, the area's bi-annual comedy festival featuring four days of comedy shows on Thursday, May 22 - Monday, May 25. Shows will take place at various locations this season: Stoneacre Garden, Ragged Island Brewing Co., Jane Pickens Theater, Wayfinder Newport, and Top of Pelham

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13 Sheep & Wool Festival

Where:: Coggeshall Farm, Bristol
When:: May 17 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Cost:: $12 for Adults, $5 for Youth 4 - 17

The Sheep & Wool Festival returns to Coggeshall Farm Museum on May 17th from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM!

Learn about and see demonstrations of sheep shearing, wool processing, dyeing, weaving, and spinning. Shop with vendors and artisans from RI and New England. Visit with the farm’s sheep and see visiting animals that provide us with the fiber for our craft.

Pre-registration is highly recommended and tickets may sell out. Rain or Shine!

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14 Lectures & Tours

Hear from local experts and learn something unexpected at these lectures and talks this May.

May 09

Island Cemetery and Belmont Chapel Guided Tours

Island Cemetery Newport May 09, 2026 - Nov 21, 2026

Highlights of Island Cemetery Tour Island Cemetery is the final resting place of hundreds of notable… Read More

15 Boots on the Ground for Heroes Memorial

Where:: Fort Adams State Park
When:: May 23rd - May 26th, 2025

The Boots on the Ground for Heroes Memorial will be displayed at Fort Adams in Newport over Memorial Day Weekend May 23rd – 26th, 2025.

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16 Farmer's Markets

All you have to do is take your pick.

17 Food Tours

NEWPORT FOODIE STROLL

Where:: Downtown Newport, Tour starts at the Wave Statue
When:: Recurring weekly on Wednesdays*, Fridays and Saturdays, 11:30 AM and 12:00 PM
Cost:: $95

Newport Foodies Stroll is a 2.5-3 hours walking tour where you'll taste a range of high-quality, modern American cuisine with a twist of fusion along Lower Thames Street. Learn a little history while indulging in big flavor from five popular eateries.

Distance: 1.75 miles
Tour Duration: 2.5 - 3 Hours
When: April 30 - October 18, rain or shine
Schedule: Wednesdays*, Fridays and Saturdays, 11:30 AM and 12:00 PM
Departs: From the wave statue at the intersection of America's Cup Avenue and Memorial Boulevard
Tickets: $95 Adults, must be purchased in advance

Note: A winter foodie stroll, a smaller three-course meal experience, is offered select dates in December, February through early April too! Dates subject to change.

Newport Foodies Stroll

NEWPORT NEIGHBORHOOD FOOD TOUR

Where:: Downtown Newport, Meet at Northwest corner at the intersection of Marlborough & Dr. Marcus Wheatland Blvd.
When:: Thursday - Sunday, 12:00 PM, rain or shine
Cost:: $78 no alcohol, $95 with alcohol

Rhode Island Red Food Tours provides a unique opportunity to sample food from at least six Newport restaurants in just one afternoon.

With Rhode Island Red Food Tours, you'll gain new insight into the historical, architectural and cultural aspects of the city and learn the stories behind creatively inspired cuisine. Experience tastings from at a Mexican restaurant in a former home built in 1714, a curated brasserie, a James Beard-nominated noodle bar and more on this 3-3.5 hour tour.

Distance: 1.3 miles
Tour Duration: 3 - 3.5 Hours
When: April - November, rain or shine
Schedule: Thursday - Sunday, 12:00 PM
Departs: The Northwest corner at the intersection of Marlborough & Dr. Marcus Wheatland Blvd.
Tickets: $78 no alcohol, $95 with alcohol

*Vegetarian options and dietary restrictions considered

18 Live Music & & Nightime Fun

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.