There's so much to be excited about in Newport this month. From the return of Newport Burger Bender, Newport's best burger competition featuring 30+ bucket-list-worthy burgers all competing to be crowned the best, to a Girl Scout cookie + beer pairing, multiple ice bars, a chili cook-off and so much more.
Come February 14, don't miss the highly anticipated return of Newport Winter Festival with 150+ events around town like an ice bar overlooking the bay, mac + cheese smackdown, horseback riding on the beach, country concert, comedy show, beach polo and more.
Sparks start flying in the middle of the month with a lengthy list of romantic things to do for Valentine's Day including romantic retreats at some of our most enchanting hotels, cooking classes, helicopter tours and more.
Our picks for the month below.
❄ Indicates a Newport Winter Festival event.
NEWPORT BURGER BENDER
When: February 14 - 23
Where: Throughout Newport
Unfolding in tandem with Newport Winter Festival, Newport Burger Bender is a best burger competition where local restaurants toss their best burger(s) into the gauntlet in hopes of being crowned the winner. Each year, restaurants cook up their best burgers, topped them with everything from Guinness mac n' cheese and glazed brioche donuts to secret sauce, jumbo onion rings and vegan aioli - if that's your jam - and tossed them into the ring. Then, you try one, some, or all (we don't judge) and vote for your favorite.
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GIRL SCOUT COOKIE & BEER PAIRING
When: Friday, February 14 + Saturday, February 15 + Sunday, February 16
Where: Newport Craft Brewing Co.
Pair your five favorite cookies with a flight of 5 Newport Craft beers.
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NEWPORT VINEYARDS WINETERFEST SPEAKEASY SOIREE
When: Friday, February 14; 7:00 - 10:00 PM
Where: Newport Vineyards
Dance the night away with Miss Katie Kleyla and a Speakeasy Jazz Band, wine, prohibition style cocktails and handcrafted light fare. Speakeasy attire and flare encouraged. Please note this is a cocktail style event, seating will be limited with plenty of space for dancing.
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NEWPORT WINTER FESTIVAL
When: Friday, February 14 - Sunday, February 23
Where: Throughout Newport
The 32nd Annual Newport Winter Festival returns with 10 days of live music, foodie contests, kid-centric activities and more on The Classic Coast on February 15 - 24, 2019. Touted as New England's largest winter extravaganza, Newport Winter Festival offers more than 150 events. Spice things up with the renowned chili cook-off, make your own perfume, horseback ride on the beach or bundle up and head over to Polar Pineapples at Gurney's for an ice bar with a front row seat to picturesque views of Narragansett Bay in the winter.
RELATED: Guide to the 32nd Annual Newport Winter Festival
NEWPORT VINEYARDS WINETERFEST WEEKEND
When: Saturday, February 15 - Sunday, February 16; 12:00 - 5:00 PM
Where: Newport Vineyards
Two days full of grape stomping, wine tasting and beer tasting (with onsite brewery Taproot Brewing Co.) Enjoy live music while sipping at the famous Ice Wine Bar and noshing on food created by scratch from the culinary team. Feeling competitive? You could be called to compete in one of the Grape Stomp Competitions.
Grape stomping at 1:00 & 3:00 both days
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❄️POLAR PINEAPPLES ICE BAR
When: Friday, February 14 - Saturday, February 15; 3:00 - 11:00 PM
Where: Gurney's Newport Resort
Try a signature infused cocktail or specialty hot drink (alcoholic and non-alcoholic options available) while enjoying views of the bay alongside ice sculptures and an ice luge.
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SAM ADAMS BEER DINNER
When: Tuesday, February 18; 6:00 - 8:30 PM; 3:00 - 11:00 PM
Where: The Mooring
Enjoy this annual event as a visiting brewmaster from Sam Adams brewery guides guests through a selection of beers paired with a distinct menu specially prepared by chefs at The Mooring. Reception begins at 6:00 PM, dinner at 6:3 PM. Chefs will prepare a delicious four-course meal with welcome reception hors d'oeuvres paired with five Sam Adams Beers.
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❄️25TH ANNUAL CHILI COOK-OFF PRESENTED BY SAM ADAMS
When: Saturday, February 15; 11:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Where: Gurney's Newport
Winter heats up as area restaurants and caterers compete to see who has the best chili in town. Bring your appetite and join in the fun as you choose your favorite chili.
Pro Tip: Take advantage of the free trolley running on Saturday February 15. It begins at 11:15 AM and runs through 3:45 PM, stopping at the Newport Gateway Center, Newport Harbor Hotel, and The Red Parrot before making its way to Gurney's for the cook-off.
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❄️ WINTER FESTIVAL COMEDY SHOW
When: Friday, February 21; 8:30 PM
Where: Gurney's Newport
Rodney Laney as seen on HBO, Comedy Central and MTV alongside Dan Crohn who has been performing stand up comedy in and around Boston for years. His jokes can be heard on XM Radio and he has been a guest on the popular podcast WTF with Marc Maron. His former day job of teaching 4th graders has provided him with an endless amount of material.
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SCRATCH SERIES: CHOCOLATE SWEET & SAVORY
When: Thursday, February 20; 6:00 PM
Where: Newport Vineyards
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 how to marry the sweet and savory flavors of chocolate. 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.
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❄️BEACH POLO
When: Saturday, February 22 - Sunday, February 23; 1:00 PM
Where: Second Beach
Winter Festival Beach Polo presented by the Newport International Polo Series. People of all ages enjoy the spectacle of horsemanship and breath-taking views of Aquidneck Island's renown Beaches when the ponies and players put on a polo match on the sand. The event is a low-impact, eco friendly exhibition that is part of the fun during Newport Winter Festival.
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❄️ 3RD ANNUAL MAC & CHEESE SMACKDOWN
When: Saturday, February 22; 11:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Where: Newport Marriott
Area restaurants compete with their best mac & cheese. This year will have two time slots: 11:00 AM -1:00 PM or 1:30 - 3:30 PM. Note that your ticket is for one 2-hour time slot only.
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