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Discover Newport
Discover Newport is the non-profit organization dedicated to promoting of the City of Newport and its eight surrounding coastal communities. We speak in seasides and sunsets.
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There is nothing like October on The Coast. This month brings so much to do, from a festive round up of fairs and festivals (see: the Bowen's Wharf Seafood Festival, Rogue Island Comedy Festival) to a lengthy list of things you need to check off your epic autumn bucket list, like ghost tours, pick-your-own apples + pumpkins, hayrides, corn mazes and so much more.
Our picks for the month below.
The third annual Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week welcomes the world’s most exclusive auto brands and car collections back to Aquidneck Island for four days of special events, seminars, gatherings and more on September 29th - October 2nd, 2022.
Spend your days enjoying fine dining pop-ups, exhibitions of rare and exciting automobiles, seminars, and car displays along the Newport coast. Then, once the sun goes down, experience exclusive cocktail hours, dinners, our annual gala and various VIP parties hosted in the Gatsby-esque mansions that populate America’s original luxury capital.
Celebrating its 27th Anniversary, Newport Festa Italiana has grown from its original weekend slate of events to a month-long calendar of opportunities for everyone to connect to their Italian roots. Events include John Panaggio Original Ziti Night, the 7th annual meatball challenge, Italian heritage parade, and of course, the highlight of the event: Festival in the Park.
The annual Norman Bird Sanctuary's old-fashioned Harvest Fair will once again usher in Autumn October 1st - 2nd, 2022. The fair offers something for everyone, including sack races, hay rides, mud pit, tug-of-war and fair games with prizes.
Laugh your way through Columbus Day weekend at Rogue Island Comedy Festival, the area's bi-annual comedy festival featuring four days of comedy shows on Thursday, October 6th - Sunday, October 9th.
Shows will take place at three locations this season: Ragged Island Brewing Co., Jane Pickens Theater, and Diego's Barrio Cantina.
After a three year hiatus—the Broadway Street Fair is back, October 8th from 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM.
This year's event will span across Broadway from Equality Park through Farewell Street, filled with local artists, live music, food, and more.
The popular Young Family Farm Fall Fest is back and scheduled for Saturday and Sunday October 8th and 9th from 10:00am to 5:00pm.
Featuring a live band both days, food trucks with delicious food, pumpkin painting, fall flower arrangements, hayrides, face painting and—new this year—pick-your-own pumpkin's! Of course, you can pick-your-own apples and enjoy all of the fresh goodies, vegetables, and fruit that are sold at the Farm Stand.
Looking for a perfect fall day? Mark your calendars for October 8th, a day filled with Giant pumpkins, food trucks, free corn mazes, family fun and more at Frerichs Farm in Warren for their annual Southern New England Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off.
Oh, and by Giant pumpkins, we're talking B-I-G pumpkins, last year the winning pumpkin weighed in at 2201 lbs. What do you think the winning pumpkin will weigh this year?
Honoring the “Harvest of the Sea,” the Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival offers fresh, local seafood. Fish tacos, lobster rolls, stuffies, chowder, fried calamari, clams, oysters, signature cocktails and cold beer accompany continuous live music, and family fun, all beneath the Wharf’s colorful tents. As you savor some delectable dishes, relax and enjoy the beats from area musicians. Live folk, surf rock, Caribbean and blues music are just a taste of what you’ll hear.
The Newport Craft Beer and Food Truck Festival arrives at Fort Adams State Park with the area's most popular food trucks dishing out fan favorites. Trucks include Binge BBQ, A Mano Pizza + Gelato, Friskie Fries, Haven Brothers Mobile, La Costa, Mom on the Go, Moyzilla, Lobsta Love and more. Enjoy outdoor games like cornhole, giant jenga, giant checkers and more alongside craft brews from 15+ breweries.
Make your way to Bristol for the their version of Oktoberfest. The Bristol Merchant Association presents Harvest Festival & Crafts Fair, a day full of live music, great food, and all that the dozens of local artisans have to offer.
Sample great food, shop local artists, listen to local bands and enjoy a day outside at the inaugural Harvest Market Pop-up at Pardon Gray Preserve in Tiverton. Explore more than 50 vendors on the back lawn of Pardon Gray Preserve. Afterwards, enjoy guided walks through Weetamoo Woods, meet and greet with alpacas, pick your own pumpkin at the pumpkin patch and more.
Meet us at Fort Adams on Sunday, October 16th, for the 33rd annual Heart & Soul Walk, Potter League's biggest fundraiser for animals.
Enjoy a fun-filled dog walk, music, food trucks, special activities for dogs and kids, all while celebrating and raising money for our favorite friends, the animals.
When: Friday, October 21st
Where: Hawk & Handsaw Farm, 20 Moitoza Ln, Portsmouth, RI
Join NewportOut for a night of spooky surprises, halloween activities, creative costumes and so much more at Hawk & Handsaw Farm in Portsmouth.
Celebrate Halloween early with a night of thrills, scary haunts, music from DJ Zoila Rosa, lots of dancing, and bring-your-own booze. Cozy up by the bonfire and enjoy small bites provided by Hawk & Handsaw Farm, or venture into the dark woods trail if you dare—more to be revealed when you arrive.
Pro-tip: bring something that lights up—you will know why later.
Make your way to Bristol for Linden Place’s second-annual “Night at the Mansion Halloween Haunt”, returning on Thursday, October 27th for an evening of spooky fun. Enjoy ghostly candlelit tours of the storied manse and grounds, live music and dancing in the ballroom—costume's recommended, a cash bar serving fabulous adult beverages and so much more.
“Halloween isn’t just for kids anymore,” -Susan Battle, Executive Director.
Step inside Newport’s most iconic mansion for an evening of mystery and intrigue this Halloween. Celebrate Fall’s most convivial holiday at The Vanderbilt with The Cabinet of Curiosities and experience the seductive, unconventional and fabulous world of Alfred Vanderbilt. Partake in a dinner theater experience featuring captivating performances from No Ring Circus, a New York-based theatrical production company specializing in the fusion of circus sideshow, performance art and theater, accompanied by an indulgent multi-course menu and unlimited champagne.
Linger and revel in the eccentricities in our downtown mansion this Halloween with specialty cocktails, tarot and palm readings and Absinthe Fairies. Delight in The Vanderbilt’s dinner menu filled with sumptuous, Autumn-inspired dishes.
Sip, savor and toast to the season's’ crush at Newport Vineyard's fifth annual Harvest Festival. A day full of grape stomping, pie eating, and wine tasting goodness. Enjoy live music while sipping cocktails and noshing on food from the vineyard's culinary team and local vendors. Below are some of the fun activities that are being offered:
Saturday October 29, 2022
Session 1: 11:30am – 2:00pm
Session 2: 2:30pm – 5:00pm
Sunday October 30, 2022
Session 1: 11:30am – 2:00pm
Session 2: 2:30pm – 5:00pm
*Grape stomping and pie eating contestants will be selected at random the day of the event. Please be present and dressed accordingly.
Roam around the house and grounds of Rough Point Museum during this special after-hours event—Saturday, October 29th, take part in a Halloween costume contest and complete a spooky tour of Rough Point’s house and grounds!
Make your way to downtown Newport, board the NPTOut Halloween Costume Cruise and enjoy, sunset views, music, and a fun Halloween costume experience aboard the Gansett Cruise power yacht. This is a LGBTQ+ community building and visibility event; all are welcome. Limited tickets are available, RSVP and purchased tickets today.
Note: all tickets include one beer, wine, cocktail, or soft drink, with a cash bar available on board for additional beverages.
Make your way to Fort Adams State Park for this special Halloween edition of cars + coffee.
When: Through Early November
Where: Rail Explorers USA
Enjoy pedal-powered ride along the Southern Circuit featuring small campfires to spread out around with Rail Explorers. Bring your own marshmallows to enjoy while you savor twilight across the Narragansett Bay.
When: Saturdays and Sundays in October
Where: Coggeshall Farm Museum
Fall at the Farm: the most wonderful time of the year.
Celebrate the changing of the seasons at Coggeshall Farm Museum with in-house historians and animals. Play historic games, race through a hay maze, leaf peep on the new nature trail, and make classic 18th-century cornhusk dolls. Also, enjoy special in-depth timed talks, or spend your time visiting the animals and enjoying the autumn air on the salt-marsh farm. For the kids, search for clues in the a one-of-a-kind scavenger hunt; Clues & Candy, a trick-or-treat experience.
The history of the classic fall celebration and the surprising origins of the jack-o-lantern!
Which Witch? 12:00 PMWomen have been both accused of and celebrated of being witches for millennia. Learn the origins of some of the classic symbols of witchcraft and explore the history of New England witches.
Oh, My Gourd! Pumpkins and Other Fall Foods 1:00 PMCelebrate the bounty of the harvest by learning about the uses and history of all our favorite fall foods.
Potent Potions 2:00 PMMany 18th-century medicine cabinets were filled with a blend of traditional herbal remedies, superstitious potions, and newfangled scientific medicines. Join museum interpreters for a talk on all the useful and not-so-useful cures that 18th-century farmers relied on.
More Details
When: Through mid-October
Where: Newport Harbor
Admission: Prices vary
There's something intoxicating about a fall harbor cruise—when the water remains warm but the air is newly crisp. Help raise the sails on a legendary America's Cup yacht, spot seals lounging off the coast on an education vessel, or sip a mimosa on an 80-foot, turn-of-the-century-style pilot schooner.
When: September 2 - November 7, Fridays - Sundays
Where: Escobar's Highland Farm
Admission: $10 ages 12 and up, $8 children 5-11, free for children under 4 (cash only)
Get lost in the 8-acre corn maze at Escobar's Highland Farm. Not to worry, they'll rescue you if you get lost.
These fall months harvest the perfect opportunity for some of our favorite cozy-weather activities: pumpkin & apple picking, hayrides & corn mazes, and more.
When you find your hands itching for some pick-your-own experiences, here's where you can head to.
When: Late September - October
Where: Sweet Berry Farm, 915 Mitchell's Lane, Middletown
Hours: Daily, 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
When: September through mid-November
Where: 33 Colebrook Road, Little Compton
Hours: Thursday - Sunday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
When: September - early November
Where: 260 W Main Road, Little Compton
Hours: Thursday - Monday: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
When: September & October
Where: 4484 Main Road, Tiverton
Hours: Weekends: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
TRINITY CHURCH'S ANNUAL PUMPKIN PATCH
When: October 11th (tentative start date) - October 31st
Where: Queen Anne Square, Newport
Admission: Free
When: Opening: September 24th
Where: 895 Middle Road, Portsmouth RI
Hours: Saturday & Sundays 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday 2:30 PM - 5:00 PM
When: September - Early November
Where:133 Middle Road, Portsmouth
Hours: Friday - Sunday: 10:00 AM - dusk. Last entry is one hour before dusk.
When: Late August - early October
Where: Sweet Berry Farm, 915 Mitchell's Lane, Middletown
Hours: Daily, 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
When: September through mid-November
Where: 33 Colebrook Road, Little Compton
Hours: Thursday - Sunday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
When: September - early November
Where: Rocky Brook Orchard, 997 Wapping Road, Middletown
Hours: Weekends, 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
When: September - early November
Where: 260 W Main Road, Little Compton
Hours: Thursday - Monday: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
When: Thursday - Saturdays
Where: Sweet Berry Farm, Middletown, RI
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.
More Details
When: Dates vary
Where: Simmons Farm
Admission: $10 - $40
When nature calls (literally), head over to Simmons Farm in Middletown for a two-hour goat hike around the historic family-owned farm. Led by farmer Karla and her crew of adventurous, spirited goats, you'll get your own goat to walk on a leash along the designated trail. Stop along the way to feed your goat a treat and to take in stunning views of the preserved farmland, and conclude your journey with a cup of hot chocolate.
When: Weekends through October
Where: Pachet Brook Tree Farm + Escobar's Highland Farm
Head to Pachet Brook Tree Farm, a 90-acre family-run farm in Tiverton, for a 30-minute hayride through the fields and woods decorated for the season, ending at the pumpkin patch. Hayrides are also offered at Escobar's Highland Farm in Middletown.
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Discover Newport is the non-profit organization dedicated to promoting of the City of Newport and its eight surrounding coastal communities. We speak in seasides and sunsets.