Discover the best, biggest and most popular events happening in and around Newport, Rhode Island this July!
For a full listing of events, visit our Events Calendar
Newport Independence Day Festivities – July 4
Enjoy a wide variety of events throughout Newport from 9 am to 1:30 pm including a reading of the Declaration of Independence, a bike parade and 21 Gun Cannon Salute.
- 9:00 am: Ceremony by the DAR/SR at the grave of William Ellery, RI signer of the Declaration of Independence, at the Common Burying Ground, Farewell St. Musket salute by the Newport Artillery Company.
- 10:00 am: Old Colony House open for tours, Washington Square.
- 10:00 am: Newport Community Band at Washington Square. Patriotic tunes, Jazz and Show tunes.
- 11:00 am: Reading of the Declaration of Independence from the steps of the Old Colony House as was done in 1776.
- 11:30 am: Newport Artillery Company 21-gun salute to the nation using original cannons cast by Paul Revere.
Note – Newport’s Annual Fireworks Display will take place on July 2nd.
Newport Music Festival – July 4 – 28
Newport Music Festival continues the tradition of presenting unique chamber music programs, American debuts, world-class artists and gala special events in the Gilded Age summer cottages and throughout Newport, County. In 2019, you have the chance to enjoy more than forty concerts.
More info: www.newportmusic.org
Newport Regatta – July 6 & 7
The 2019 Newport Regatta will mark the 35th running of Sail Newport’s signature annual event.
Sail Newport has a long history of hosting this East Coast keynote event for one-design classes where they live by our motto: “More Racing, Less Waiting, Cold Beer”
Invited Classes for the 2019 Newport Regatta: 12 Metre, Melges IC 37, J/109 (Atlantic Coast Championship), J/70 (New England Championship), C&C 30, J/24, Shields (New England Championship), S-Class, 2.4mR, 505, Etchells, F18, WASZP, UFO, Moth, VX One, Laser, Force 5, Ensign, Thistle and RS Aero.
More info at http://www.sailnewport.org/regattas/newportRegatta/2017newportregatta
12 Metre World Championship – July 8 – 13
The International 12 Metre Class’ 2019 World Championship will be held in Newport from July 8- 13, hosted by the Ida Lewis Yacht Club and the 12 Metre Yacht Club. It will be the largest-ever gathering of 12 Metre yachts in the United States featuring more than two-dozen boats from seven countries.
International teams comprised of elite sailors including America’s Cup veterans and Olympic medalists will represent Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Norway and the United States. The 2019 12 Metre World Championship fleet will span the years 1928 -1987, include seven America’s Cup defenders and challengers, and be sailed on Rhode Island Sound, the site of nine America’s Cup competitions from 1958-1983.
More info at 12mrworlds.com.
Newport Shimoda Sister City Celebration – July 11 – 14
The 2019 Newport-Shimoda Sister City Celebration will take place from Thursday, July 11th to Sunday, July 14th with events and ceremonies designed for visitors of all ages. Participants can expect to find a myriad of opportunities to be immersed in cultural and historical activities that bring the Japanese and American lifestyles and history to life.
More info available at NewportShimodaSisterCity.org.
Newport Kite Festival – July 13 & 14
The spray of colors across the sky along Ocean Drive in July at the annual kite festival is a sight to behold. The air is filled with the sounds of snapping nylon and kite strings as the kites whip their tails in the sky and the ocean breeze washes your face. There is nothing more or less to this jubilee other than the pure joy of flying a kite. Admission is free.
More info: www.newportkitefestival.com
2019 Dell Technologies Hall of Fame Open – July 14-21
Contested on the historic grass tennis courts of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, the tournament is the only event played on grass courts outside of Europe, and it offers the only opportunity to see professional men’s tennis in the Northeast prior to the US Open.
More info at http://www.halloffameopen.com/.
The Newport Dance Festival – July 14 – 21
Island Moving Company, Newport’s Contemporary Ballet will present its tenth annual summer dance festival July 14-21, 2019 on an outdoor stage on the gorgeous seaside lawn of St. Michael’s Country Day School in Newport, RI.
The Newport Dance Festival (formerly known as Great Friends Dance Festival) will feature a unique lineup of dances each evening drawing on the talent, artistry, and individual styles of the festival’s five visiting dance companies, accompanied by Newport’s own Island Moving Company (IMC).
More info at islandmovingco.org.
175th Anniversary Regatta – July 15 – 20
To celebrate the 175th anniversary of its founding in 1844, the New York Yacht Club will host a week-long regatta at Harbour Court, July 15 to 20, 2019.
Participation will be limited to members of the New York Yacht Club and the four invited yacht clubs (Royal Thames Yacht Club, Royal Yacht Squadron, St. Francis Yacht Club and Yacht Club Costa Smeralda) and the U.S. service academies entering yachts with an LOA of 30 feet or greater (IRC/ORC or equivalent as well as classics). Racing will take place on Narragansett Bay and Rhode Island Sound.
More Info at https://nyyc.org/175th-anniversary-regatta.
Annual Craft Brew Races Newport – July 20
A fun walk/run 5k at historic Fort Adams followed by a craft beer festival with more than 30 local craft breweries.
More info at http://craftbrewraces.com/.
Live Local Music & Arts Festival – July 20
The Live Local Music Festival is a celebration of the art and culture that defines Newport and Rhode Island as a whole. Live Local gives others from across the world a first hand view of what it means to be a Newport local through art, music, food, history and more importantly, the people that make Newport such a beautiful, unique, and innovative place.
Live Local will be held at the field outside of the Great Friends Meeting House off of Broadway. The entrance will be at the corner of Marlborough Street and Dr. Marcus Wheatland Blvd.
Doors open at 11:00am with music ending around 9:00pm
For more information, tickets and for the full art, food and music lineup, visit www.livelocalnpt.com
60th Annual Newport Folk Festival – July 26– 28
The Newport Folk Festival, founded by George Wein in 1959, takes place on the grounds at Fort Adams State Park and features three stages of music, food, crafts and a number of displays.
More info at http://www.newportfolk.org/.
Jaws Summer Party – July 23 & 24
Join What’s Up Newp at the Jane Pickens Theater & Event Center for our 4th Annual Jaws Summer Party! Jaws Summer Party is now a 2-day Celebration with two nights of Jaws screenings and activities that include live music from The Teledynes and The Z Boys, Narragansett Beer, Clean Ocean Access, Save The Bay, and more.
More info available at Jaws returning to the big screen at Jane Pickens Theater twice this July
The Newport Show – July 26 – 28
Celebrating 13 years, The Newport Show is New England’s premier fine art & antiques event. The Show, which runs July 27 – 28, 2019 & opens with a Gala Preview Party on Friday July 26, 2019, features more than 40 of the country’s top dealers in one scenic location offering a diverse selection of modern & contemporary art, home furnishings & even fashionable attire. It’s a must-see event for collectors & enthusiasts.
More info at http://www.thenewportshow.com/
Save The Bay Swim – July 27
Swim, kayak or volunteer for Save The Bay’s largest annual fundraiser as 500 swimmers and nearly 200 kayakers trek 1.7 nautical miles across the Bay to raise money and awareness in an effort to protect and restore the Narragansett Bay and its watershed. Be a part of something big. Find yourself at the Swim this July.
More info at http://savebay.org/swim
Newport Bridgefest – July 29 – August 1
The Newport BridgeFest is a local, live music and music education festival that “bridges” the gap between the prestigious Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals for a continuous 10 days of music in our community.
More info at http://www.newportbridgefest.com/.
Other Ongoing Series
Jump To: 12 free weekly outdoor music/movie series’ to enjoy this summer
Newport International Polo Series
Witness the excitement of one of the fastest ball sports in the world, played at thoroughbred racing speed when Team USA/Newport takes on challengers from around the world and major U.S. Cities in the Newport International Polo Series.
- Saturday, July 6th at 5 pm – USA vs Ireland
- Saturday, July 13th at 5 pm – Newport vs Pittsburgh
- Saturday, July 20th at 5 pm – USA vs Italy
- Saturday, July 27th at 5 pm – Newport vs Palm Beach
For more information, schedule and tickets, private party options, polo lessons and more, visit www.nptpolo.com.
NIMFest at King Park
Enjoy live music and the harbor breeze at King Park on Sunday afternoons all summer. Fun for families with lawn seating, playground, food truck, BBQ and bathroom facilities. Free parking on Wellington Ave. No rain dates. Call Parks & Rec 401-845-5800 or or check NIMFest Newport at Facebook. Made possible by a gift from the Hamilton Family Fund.
- Sunday, July 7 – NIMFest summer kickoff concert with Larry Brown. Swinglane Orchestra. 3-6pm
- Sunday, July 14 – NIMFest concert with Down City Band, soul/dance, music and horn section, 3-6pm
- Sunday, July 21 – NIMFest concert with Eddy’s Shoe and Jabbawaukee, popular jam bands. 3-6pm
- Sunday, July 28 – NIMFest concert with October Road: a tribute to James Taylor. 3-6pm
Waterfront Concerts at King Park
Waterfront Concerts at King Park is presented free by Friends of the Waterfront and City of Newport, lawn seating, weather dependent. For info, Waterfront Concerts at King Park on Facebook, #newportfow or Newport Rec Dept., 845-5800.
- Friday, July 19, 5:30-7 pm – Blues Friday Concert with Newport’s legendary James Montgomery Blues Band.
- Monday, July 29, 5:00-6:30 pm – Bridgefest Folk Concert with David Furlong & the Honk, folk/roots.
- Wednesday, July 31, 5:00-6:30 pm – Bridgefest R&B Concert with The 40, originals, eclectic.
newportFILM Outdoor Series
On (most) Thursday’s throughout July, watch al fresco documentary films in some of Newport’s most stunning locations. Films roll at sunset.
- Wednesday, July 3 – Woodstock at O’Hare Lawn at Salve Regina University
- Thursday, July 11 – Sea of Shadows at St. George’s School Lawn
- Thursday, July 18 – Mike Wallace Is Here at The Elms
- Thursday, July 25 – Echo In The Canyon at St. Michael’s Country Day School Lawn
More info: www.newportfilm.com
Cars & Coffee – July 6, 13, 27
Join the Audrain Automobile Museum, Preservation Society of Newport County, Fort Adams State Park, and Salve Regina University, for Cars & Coffee this coming season!
- July 6 at Salve Regina University
- July 13 at The Elms
- July 27 at Salve Regina University
More info at https://audrainautomuseum.org/events/ .