Summer in Newport and live music, they go together like clam cakes and chowder.
There’s no short supply of live music on any given night in Newport. Here’s a look at all that can be enjoyed outdoors this summer for free or for a small donation.
Schedules are subject to change. This story will be updated as more schedules, and additional details are announced. Please check with event organizers/venues for the latest updates throughout the season.
NIMFEST at King Park: Sundays in July & August
2022 NIMFest celebrates its 15th season of family-friendly, free Sunday concerts from 3-6pm at King Park featuring music from local and RI musicians, presented by the City of Newport with support from the Hamilton Family Foundation. Newport NIMFest on Facebook,or Newport Rec 401-845-5800. Mark your calendars — bring lawn chairs, blanket, kids and the dog!
July 10 Future Phase, Dan Burke & The Royal Treatment
July 17 Mel and The Unruly Roots, Brian Twohey
July 24 Down City Band
July 31 Bar Fly, CC Louise & Friends
Aug 7 Eddy’s Shoe, The Mansfield Band
Aug 14 Swinglane Orchestra
Aug 21 Cee Cee and The RIders, The Digg-it Band
Aug 28 The 40, Island Rockers
Waterfront Concert at King Park
2022 Waterfront Concerts at King Park are back this summer! Kickoff concert is Friday, June 24 from 5-7pm with Virginia James. Here is the schedule:
Friday, June 24, 5-7 pm Summer Kick Off with Virginia James, original folk/pop trio
Friday, July 8, 5-7 pm Blues Masters with James Montgomery All-Star Blues Band
Friday, July 22, 5-7 pm Folk music with Irish In America, opening Bill Killian’s Voyages
Friday, Aug 5, 5-7 pm Art Pop & Jazz with Chase Ceglie, opening guitarist Julio Amaro
Friday, Aug 19, 5-7pm Blues/Soul with Shari Puorto Band with Doug Woolverton, opening blues fiddler Ilana Katz Katz
Sat, Sept. 3, 3-6pm Irish Folk Music & Ceili Dance With dance master Kevin Doyle’s Roscommon Soles, Turas, Rhode To Dublin and harpist Mary King
Dancing in the grass welcome! Free concerts presented by Friends of the Waterfront, made possible by a generous gift from the Isham Family Fund. Bring lawn chairs or blankets, great harbor views. Online check Newport Friends of the Waterfront or contact Newport Rec at 845-5800.
Family Night/Children’s Night Concert Series at Easton’s Beach
Family Night Concerts take place on Tuesdays in July & August. Children’s Nights take place on Thursdays in July & August. All shows begin at 6:00 pm. Free. More info and updates
Summer Outdoor Concert Series at Norman Bird Sanctuary
The Norman Bird Sanctuary and Newport Live (formerly known as Common Fence Music) will present a Summer Outdoor Concert Series once again this year. These outdoor performances will feature a diverse array of nationally renowned musicians: Kyshona on June 10, Mark Erelli on July 8, Lisa Morales on August 5, and The Suitcase Junket on September 16. Shows at 7 pm on each night. Tickets are $35 per person. More info and tickets at newportlive.org.
Summer Concert Series at Shops at Long Wharf
Enjoy free concerts throughout the summer from 1 pm to 5 pm down at the Shops at Long Wharf.
Music at The Fort
Music at the Fort is back! Enjoy an evening of free music at Fort Adams while watching the sunset. Food and drink vendors on site. Bring your beach chair and blanket and enjoy an evening at Fort Adams!
- Wednesday, June 15 from 6 pm to 8 pm – The Ravers
- Wednesday, July 13 from 6 pm to 8 pm – The Rhode Island Youth Stage Band
- Wednesday, August 24 from 6 pm to 8 pm – Those Guys
- Wednesday, September 7 from 6 pm to 8 pm – The Ravers
Summer Concert Series at Naval Station Newport Officers’ Club
Further proof summer has arrived at the installation… the summer concert series returns to the Naval Station Newport Officers’ Club this week! Gather with shipmates, colleagues, and members of the NAVSTA Newport community.
Newport Music Festival: July 1 – 17
Newport Music Festival will host seventeen concerts outdoors for its 53rd season, July 1 – 17. Full schedule here.
The festival will present a few family-friendly and free concerts this season;
- July 4: Triton Brass: A Salute to America at King Park
- July 5: Sarah Cahill: The Future Is Female at Newport Art Museum
Music on The Lawn at St. John’s The Evangelist
Enjoy Music On The Lawn at St. John The Evangelist every Tuesday in August. Schedule to be announced.
Live From The Loading Dock at MLK Center
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center this week announced the return of Live from the Loading Dock: A Summer Concert Series for the 2022 season.
On five Wednesday evenings beginning in May, the Center will host a variety of talented and local musicians for the concert series with the scheduled lineup* as followed:
June 15 – CHELLEY KNIGHT and the DOPE THINGS
July 13 – CLASSICAL MOVIE MUSIC
Presented by: Newport Classical
August 17 – KERA WASHINGTON and the ZILI MISIK TRIO
September 21 – ROOT CELLAR
Featuring Bob Woods, Dave Giorgi and Greg Badigian
All concerts begin at 4:30 p.m. with hamburgers and hotdogs to be provided completely free of charge. Performances will be held at the Loading Dock in front of the Center at 20 Dr. Marcus Wheatland Boulevard. Please bring your lawn chairs so you can sit back and enjoy this fun community event.
newportFILM
newportFILM will return this summer with their outdoor film screenings at various locations throughout Aquidneck Island. Most films include an opening performance by a local musician.
Middletown’s Monday Night Beach Concert Series
The Town of Middletown is again hosting free music at Second Beach, 315 Sachuest Point Road, on Mondays during the month of August from 6-9 pm. Food trucks and beach fires will be available, but alcohol and dogs are prohibited. Come get in on the fun.
Aquidneck Growers’ Markets
Shop while listening to great local music at Aquidneck Growers Markets all summer long. The Saturday Summer Market takes place at Embrace Home Loans every Saturday (may 7 – October 29) from 9 am to 12 pm, the Wednesday Summer Market takes place on Memorial Boulevard every Wednesday (May 18 – October 26) from 2 pm to 6 pm, and the Monday Summer Market takes place at Miantonomi every Monday (July 11 – August 29) from 2 pm to 6 pm.
Newport Folk Festival & Newport Jazz Festival
Not a series, but certainly not to be forgotten about, the Newport Folk Festival returns July 22 – July 24 and the Newport Jazz Festival returns July 29 – 31.
Salute to Summer Free Concert & Fireworks Show
Naval Station Newport will host their annual Salute To Summer, a free concert and fireworks show, on Saturday, August 27 at Dewey Field.
Have a concert series that you’d like to see included here? Email Ryan@whatsupnewp.com.
