Newport Polo at Second Beach. Photo by Rod Harris, 2020.

Newport Winter Festival and Newport Burger Bender continue this week and weekend, making it a very busy weekend in and around Newport. Here’s our look at all that’s happening, new, and to do out there, enjoy!

Discover Newport

Thursday, February 23

Things To Do

Entertainment

City & Government

Savor the Flavor: Newport Burger Bender Contest returns for its sixth year from Feb. 17 – 26

Dozens of restaurants across Newport and Bristol counties will offer almost 60 specialty burgers during the Sixth Annual Newport Burger Bender Contest that begins Friday.

The Newport Burger Bender Contest is back and better than ever! Over 60 specialty burgers will be offered this year by dozens of restaurants across Newport and Bristol counties. Now in its sixth year, the competition has drawn in chefs from all over the area, including Newport, Portsmouth, Bristol, Warren, Middletown, and Tiverton. The contest…

Newport Winter Festival returns for its 35th year with an Eagles Tribute, Chili Cook-Off, Beach Polo, and more

The festival schedule, which includes more than 150 events, features a live concert by the Eagles tribute band “The Eagles Experience”, a chili cook-off, and a magic and illusion show by Illusionist David Garrity.

The 35th Annual Newport Winter Festival is set to take place from February 17th to 26th, 2023, and organizers are excited to welcome visitors to the city for a wide range of fun and entertaining events. The festival schedule, which includes more than 150 events, features a live concert by the Eagles tribute band “The…

Bit Players

Friday, February 24

Things To Do

Newport Winter Festival

Entertainment

City & Government

  • No local meetings are scheduled.
  • See the agendas and a full list of public meetings across Rhode Island here.

‘Six Picks’ Events: What’s Up in RI this weekend (Feb. 24-26)

Black and White Ball, Fire at the Fort, Beach Polo and more

Lots going on around the region this weekend .. let’s get right to it! Friday: One of the highlights of the Newport Winter Festival is the Fire at the Fort, a family-friendly, Cajun-themed indoor-outdoor event at Fort Adams with live music this year from Keith Munslow & The Ubiquitones. S’mores and more will be provided…

‘Six Picks’ Music: The best in local music this weekend (Feb. 24-26)

John Lodge, Sunny War, Alexus Lee and more

The local music scene is hopping this weekend with great live music around Rhode Island. With an emphasis on the roots, we invite you to check out a few top picks below. Friday: Local arts organization Newport Live presents singer-songwriter Teddy Thompson at the La Farge Arts Center at the Newport Congregational Church. Thompson’s work…

Ticket Giveaway: We interview Teddy Thompson, playing Newport Live show Friday, Feb. 24

Singer-songwriter performing at La Farge Arts Center

Singer-songwriter Teddy Thompson is coming to Newport’s La Farge Arts Center (at the Newport Congregational Church) on Friday, February 24. Thanks to sponsor Newport Live, we’ve got a pair of tickets to the concert to give away. To enter, just e-mail Ken Abrams at mrabrams11@gmail.com by Wednesday, February 22 at 5PM with “Thompson Tickets” in…

Newport Police Chief Gary Silva will retire on Feb. 24

The City is expected to announce a process to select a new Chief next week.

After 40 years of service to the community, including the last 12 years as Newport’s top cop, Police Chief Gary T. Silva is set to retire on Feb. 24th, according to a press release from the City of Newport. Silva was first sworn in as a Police Officer in June of 1983, rising through the…

Winter Festival Polo canceled on Feb. 25 & Feb. 26

The eco-friendly Beach Polo exhibition is a low-impact event played on the sandy playing area of the beach. Teams from Newport and out-of-state will compete on thoroughbred polo horses conditioned for sandy footing.

Newport Polo is partnering with the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center for the return of Beach Polo this Newport Winter Festival. This annual polo exhibition will take place at Sachuest Beach (2nd Beach) and is expected to draw over 1,000 spectators. The event was originally scheduled for February 25th and 26th, weather permitting.…

Aquidneck Growers Market

Saturday, February 25

Things To Do

 Entertainment

  • Bar & Board: Mel at 8:30 pm
  • Blue Anchor Grill: Two Across from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm
  • Buskers: Brian Twohey at 9 pm
  • Clarke Cooke House: Live music at 10 pm
  • Johnny’s at Wyndham: Live music from 6 pm to 9 pm
  • JPT Film & Event Center: Turn Every Page: The Adventures of Robert Caro and Robert Gottlieb at 1:30 pm, Jules Verne’s Mysterious Island at 4 pm, Carole King: Home Again-Live in Central Park at 7 pm
  • La Forge: Dave Manuel at 6 pm
  • Narragansett Cafe: Steve Smith & The Nakeds from 8 pm to 11:30 pm
  • Newport Blues Cafe: Zeneth at 9 pm
  • O’Brien’s Pub: CGray the DJ at 10 pm
  • One Pelham East: Timmy Smith from 4 pm to 7:30 pm, Christian Porter & Nyke Van Wyk from 8 pm to 11:30 pm
  • Pour Judgement: We Own Land Lucky #13 Anniversary Show with Bob Kendall’s Nerve Pill!! at 9 pm
  • Speakeasy: Live music at 10 pm
  • The Pub at Two Mile corner: John Erikson at 8:30 pm
  • The Firehouse Theatre:  Live improv comedy with The Bit Players at 7 pm & 9 pm
  • The Reef: Collin and Sarah Van Pelt from 7 pm to 10 pm
  • Top of Pelham: Dueling Pianos featuring Daniel Boucher and Dave Laros from 8 pm to 10 pm
  • Vieste Simply Italian: Dave Alves at 7 pm
  • Wyndham Newport Hotel: Tribute to Tom Petty at 8:30 pm

 City & Government

  • No local meetings are scheduled.
  • See the full list of public meetings in Rhode Island here.

Chart-topping blues/rock band GA-20 to play The Met Saturday Feb. 25

Band’s latest album “Crackdown” reached top of Blues album charts last Fall

Ready for some high-energy rock and blues? Then don’t miss GA-20, the Providence/Boston-based trio playing this weekend at The Met in Pawtucket. We interviewed co-founder Matt Stubbs last summer and since then, the band’s popularity has continued to explode. They’ve graced the cover of two national magazines, Vintage Guitar and Guitar Player, while getting frequent…

Sunday, February 26

 Things To Do

 Entertainment

 City & Government

Experience The Blues: James Cotton documentary, live performance by James Montgomery Blues Band coming to the Casino Theater

Presented for Black History Month by the RI Slave History Medallions, an award-winning documentary film, “Bonnie Blue: James Cotton’s Life in the Blues” will be screened Sunday, February 26 at 7pm, with a live performance by the James Montgomery Blues Band, at the Casino Theater

On Sunday, February 26th, the Casino Theater in Newport will host a screening of the award-winning documentary film “Bonnie Blue: James Cotton’s Life in the Blues,” as part of Black History Month celebrations. Directed by Bestor Cram, the film examines the life and legacy of James Cotton, a legendary harmonica player and singer who overcame…

Event Calendar