Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport County, Rhode Island, this week/weekend, Monday, February 17 through Wednesday, February 26, 2025.
Check back often as we update this story throughout the week as more things pop up!
Are you organizing an event? Submit events to our community calendar.
Monday, February 17
Newport Burger Bender is back and bigger than ever
This year marks the most participating restaurants, at 56 restaurants, including seven new ones.
What’s Up Interview: David Rosenberg shares 2025 Newport Winter Festival highlights
Annual festival featuring local hotels and restaurants, live music, and family fun runs February 14-23 with over 100 scheduled events
Experience Newport Winter Festival at The JPT: Concerts, classic cinema, and craft beer
The festivities begin Wednesday, February 19, with a special screening of Becoming Led Zeppelin, followed by a one-of-a-kind live concert on Thursday, February 20, showcasing immense local talent and supporting emerging Rhode Island music.
Things To Do
- 37th Annual Newport Winter Festival throughout Newport County
- 2025 Newport Burger Bender throughout Newport County
- 9:30 am: Nature Journaling at Norman Bird Sanctuary
- 12 pm: Fire & Ice Mad Science Show at Newport Marriott
- 1:30 pm: Bird Bones Investigations at Norman Bird Sanctuary
- 2:30 pm: Reptile Show at Newport Marriott
More Events | Submit Your Event | Promote Your Event
Live Music & Entertainment
- Newport Harbor Island Resort: Musical Bingo at 6:30 pm
- Perro Salado: John Monllos at 5:30 pm
- Rejects Beer Co: Trivia at 6 pm
- The Fastnet Pub: The Ubiquitones at 10 pm
- The Quencher: Groove Merchants at 6:30 pm
Newport County Public Meetings
- No public meetings are scheduled.
Tuesday, February 18
Middletown Town Council to consider new alcohol license, zoning changes
Agenda for February 18 includes public hearing on accessory dwelling units and review of town’s two-tier tax system
Things To Do
- 37th Annual Newport Winter Festival throughout Newport County
- 2025 Newport Burger Bender throughout Newport County
- 10 am: Sarah Gardner Preschool Music at Newport Public Library
- 11 am: Teddy Bear Musical Celebration and Story Time at Newport Harbor Hotel
- 11 am: Chocolate Tasting at Newport Vineyards & Restaurant
- 11 am: Boat Building Activity at The Sailing Museum
- 1:30 pm: Hawk Talk and Hike at Norman Bird Sanctuary
- 2:30 pm: Perler Beads at Newport Public Library
- 3 pm: Chess Club at Newport public Library
- 4 pm: History Happy Hour Open House at NHS Resource Center
- 6 pm: Beer Dinner at the Mooring
More Events | Submit Your Event | Promote Your Event
Live Music & Entertainment
- JPT Film & Event Center: Walt Disney’s Cinderella 75th Anniversary at 2 pm, 2025 Oscar Shorts: Animated at 5 pm, 2025 Oscar Short Films: Live Action at 7:30 pm
- Narragansett Cafe: Trivia at 7 pm
- O’Brien’s Pub: Trivia at 7 pm
- VFW Portsmouth: Trivia night at 6 pm
Newport County Public Meetings
- Jamestown: Jamestown Library Board at 5 pm
- Middletown: Middletown Library Board of Trustees at 3 pm, Middletown Town Council at 5:30 pm
- Portsmouth: Portsmouth Water and Fire District at 7 pm
- Tiverton: Tiverton Conservation Commission at 1:30 pm, Tiverton Charter Review Commission at 6 pm, Tiverton Budget Committee at 6 pm, Tiverton Open Space Commission at 6 pm
Wednesday, February 19
Newport City Manager Colin Kennedy will join What’sUpNewp for a one-on-one conversation on Feb. 19
Submit your questions for the City Manager, they may be asked live during our discussion.
Things To Do
- 37th Annual Newport Winter Festival throughout Newport County
- 2025 Newport Burger Bender throughout Newport County
- 9:30 am: Owl Adaptations at Norman Bird Sanctuary
- 10 am: Preschool Play at Newport Public Library
- 11 am: Kid’s Pizza Making Class: Winterfest Edition at Surf Club
- 11 am: Newport String Quartet Open Rehearsal at The Sailing Museum
- 1 pm: Princess Party at OceanCliff
- 2:30 pm: Dog Man Party at Newport Public Library
- 3 pm: Lois Vaughan Live Jazz Concert on the Coastal Queen
- 3 pm: Polar Pineapples Ice Bar at Newport Harbor Island Resort
- 6 pm: Wine & Cheese Class at Newport Vineyards & Restaurant
- 6:30 pm: Fermentation Class at Forty 1 North
- 7 pm: Winter Fest Tiki Drink Competition at Wharf Fishhouse & Tiki Bar
More Events | Submit Your Event | Promote Your Event
Live Music & Entertainment
- Buskers: Open Mic with Mike Warner at 9 pm
- Fastnet Pub: Trivia at 9 pm
- JPT Film & Event Center: Oscar Shorts: Animated at 3 pm, 2025 Oscar Short Films: Live Action at 5 pm, Becoming Led Zeppelin at 7:30 pm
- Newport Vineyards: Trivia at 6 pm
- O’Brien’s Pub: Board Game Night at 5 pm
- Sardella’s: Jazz Night at 7 pm
Newport County Government
- Jamestown: Jamestown Board of Canvassers at 2:30 pm, Jamestown Affordable Housing at 5 pm, Jamestown Tree Preservation & Protection at 6:30 pm, Jamestown Planning Commission at 6:30 pm
- Middletown: Middletown Affordable Housing Committee at 6 pm, Middletown Library Building Committee at 6 pm
- Newport: Newport Trust & Investment Commission at 8 am, Newport Cemetery Advisory Commission at 4 pm
- Portsmouth: Portsmouth Economic Development Committee at 5:30 pm
- Tiverton: Tiverton Historic Preservation Advisory Board at 9 am
Thursday, February 20
Jamestown to host workshop on sustainable beach design solutions
URI students seek community input for storm-damaged Mackerel Cove and Sheffield Cove
Newport Winter Festival concert to celebrate local music scene
Three of Rhode Island’s dynamic acts to perform at Jane Pickens Theater, offering festival-goers a 15% ticket discount
Newport City Council will tackle lead remediation during upcoming workshop
City plans to address drinking water concerns for homes with aging infrastructure
Things To Do
- 37th Annual Newport Winter Festival throughout Newport County
- 2025 Newport Burger Bender throughout Newport County
- 9:30 am: Hawk Talk and Hike at Norman Bird Sanctuary
- 10 am: Puppet Storytime with Leigh Baltzer at Newport Public Library
- 11 am: Make Your Own Burgee at The Sailing Museum
- 12 pm: The Gilded Life of Richard Morris Hunt at The Newport Art Museum
- 1 pm: Mini Golf + Games at Newport Vineyards
- 1 pm: Jazz for Kids at Greenvale Vineyards
- 2:30 pm: Computer Workshop: Google Calendar at Newport Public Library
- 2:30 pm: Black History Month: Disco Fever at Newport Public Library
- 3 pm: Polar Pineapples Ice Bar at Newport Harbor Island Resort
- 3:30 pm: Teen & Tween: Dungeons & Dragons at Newport Public Library
- 6 pm: Pasta Making Workshop at Mozz Newport
- 6:30 pm: Robert Clarke (Magician/Comedy/Juggler) at Newport Harbor Island Resort
- 6:30 pm: Owl Prowl at Norman Bird Sanctuary
- 8 pm: Annual Best Hot Drink Contest at The Red Parrott Restaurant
More Events | Submit Your Event | Promote Your Event
Live Music & Entertainment
- Greenvale Vineyards: Jazz for Kids at 1 pm
- JPT Film & Event Center: 2025 Oscar Short Films: Live Action at 1 pm, Winterfest Concert: Dan Burke and The Royal Treatment, Melo Green, and Princess June at 7 pm
- Narragansett Cafe: Tom Wright at 5 pm
- Newport Harbor Island Resort: Robert Clarke (Magician/Comedy/Juggler) at 6:30 pm
- One Pelham East: Stu Sinclair at 9 pm
- Ragged Island Brewing Company: Trivia at 6 pm
Newport County Public Meetings
- Little Compton: Little Compton Town Council at 6 pm
- Middletown: Middletown Senior Citizens Board of Directors at 2 pm
- Newport: Newport Board of Tax Appeals at 2 pm, Newport Public Library at 4 pm, Newport City Council at 4:45 pm, Newport City Council at 5:30 pm
- Tiverton: Tiverton Personnel Board at 4 pm, Tiverton Economic Development Commission at 6 pm, Tiverton School Committee at 6 pm, Tiverton Planning Board at 6:30 pm
Friday, February 21
Things To Do
- 37th Annual Newport Winter Festival throughout Newport County
- 2025 Newport Burger Bender throughout Newport County
- 9:30 am: Winter Wildlife Explorers at Norman Bird Sanctuary
- 2 pm: Winter Fest Tour at Newport Art Museum
- 2 pm: Film Series – Award-Winning Musicals at Newport Public Library
- 2:30 pm: Winter Drop-In Craft at Newport Public Library
- 3 pm: Teen & Tween: Gaming Lounge. at Newport Public Library
- 3 pm: Polar Pineapples Ice Bar at Newport Harbor Island Resort
- 6 pm: Beer & Spirits Dinner at Brick Alley Pub
- 6:30 pm: The Magician for Non-Believers at the Newport Marriott
- 8 pm: Improv with the Bit Players at The Firehouse Theater
- 8 pm: Barrel of Laughs Comedy Show at Newport Vineyards
- 8:30 pm: Winter Fest Comedy Show: Jessica Casciano and Jimmy Dunn at Hotel Viking
More Events | Submit Your Event | Promote Your Event
Live Music & Entertainment
- Bally’s Tiverton: Live DJ at 8:30 pm
- Busker’s Irish Pub: Live music at 8 pm
- Hotel Viking: Winter Fest Comedy Show: Jessica Casciano and Jimmy Dunn at 8:30 pm
- Johnny’s Restaurant at The Atlantic Resort: Briana White at 7 pm
- JPT Film & Event Center: Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story at 4:30 pm, The Brutalist at 7 pm
- Narragansett Cafe: Next Stop Band at 8 pm
- Newport Blues Cafe: DJ Spiffy at 9:30 pm
- Newport Marriott: The Magician for Non-Believers at 6:30 pm
- Newport Vineyards: Barrel of Laughs Comedy Show at 8 pm
- One Pelham East: Friday Afternoon Acoustic at 3:30 pm, Them Apples at 8 pm, Nikki & The Barn Boys at 9 pm, Late Night DJ at 11:30 pm
- Ragged Island Brewing: The Naticks at 5:30 pm
- Speakeasy: Live music at 9:30 pm
- The Firehouse Theatre: The Bit Players at 8 pm
- Top of Pelham: Dueling Pianos at 8 pm
- VFW Portsmouth: Country Night at 6:30 pm
Newport County Public Meetings
- No public meetings are scheduled.
Saturday, February 22
What’s Up Interview: Folk legend Tom Rush, playing the Narrows Center Saturday, February 22
Singer-songwriter continues to inspire audiences 65 years since first performing as a student at Harvard University.
Mac & Cheese Smackdown returns to Newport Winter Festival
Twelve local restaurants to compete for best mac & cheese title on February 22
Things To Do
- 37th Annual Newport Winter Festival throughout Newport County
- 2025 Newport Burger Bender throughout Newport County
- 9 am: Aquidneck Growers Market (Winter) at Stoneacre Garden
- 9 am: Everyday Drawing: February course in Jamestown at Jamestown Arts Center
- 10 am: Come Birding with me at Beavertail State Park
- 10:30 am: Children’s Storytime at Charter Books
- 11 am: Wine Cupcake Pairing at Newport Vineyards
- 11 am: LEGO Club at Newport Public Library
- 11:30 am: Mac & Cheese Smackdown at Newport Marriott
- 3 pm: Polar Pineapples Ice Bar at Newport Harbor Island Resort
- 3 pm: Historic Crafts & Games at the Colony House
- 8 pm: Live Improv Comedy with the Bit Players at The Firehouse Theater
- 8:30 pm: Changes In Latitudes – A Jimmy Buffet Tribute Band at Newport Marriott
More Events | Submit Your Event | Promote Your Event
Live Music & Entertainment
- Bally’s Tiverton: Randy Hawkes at 8:30 pm
- Busker’s Irish Pub: Brian Twohey at 9 pm
- Clarke Cooke House: Sean Rivers at 10 pm
- Johnny’s Restaurant at the Atlantic Resort: John Erikson at 7 pm
- JPT Film & Event Center: Flow at 1:30 pm, The Brutalist at 4 pm, The Thing 4K Restoration at 8:30 pm
- Narragansett Cafe: Super Tusk at 8:30 pm
- Newport Blues Cafe: The Carson Daily at 9:30 pm
- Newport Marriott: Changes In Latitudes – A Jimmy Buffet Tribute Band at 8:30 pm
- One Pelham East: Saturday Afternoon Acoustic at 4 pm, Late Night DJ at 11:30 pm
- Ragged Island Brewing: Barn Sessions: Dan San Band at 6:30 pm
- Speakeasy: Live music at 9:30 pm
- The Firehouse Theatre: Live Improv Comedy with the Bit Players at 8 pm
- The Reef: Lois Vaughan solo piano at 6 pm
- Top of Pelham: Dueling Pianos at 8 pm
- Tremblay’s Island Park Bar & Grill: Elise & Nick Sanfilippo at 6:30 pm
Newport County Public Meetings
- No public meetings are scheduled.
Sunday, February 23
Things To Do
- 37th Annual Newport Winter Festival throughout Newport County
- 2025 Newport Burger Bender throughout Newport County
- 10 am: Tiverton Farmers Market – Winter Season at Tiverton Middle School
- 10 am: Cars & Breakfast at Longplex
- 10 am: Wellness + Wine: Studio Barre at Newport Vineyards
- 11 am: Ice Carving Demonstration at Long Wharf
- 12 pm: 3rd Annual Dumpling Eating Contest at Yagi Noodles
- 1 pm: History Talk on Sachuest Point
- 1 pm: Cheesemaking Workshop on Sundays at Mozz Newport
- 2 pm: Wine 101: Wine Tasting For The Complete Novice at Greenvale Vineyards
- 3 pm: Newport Winter Festival Margarita Madness at The Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina
- 5:15 pm: Jukebox of Genre – Book Club Meeting at Charter Books
More Events | Submit Your Event | Promote Your Event
Live Music & Entertainment
- Bally’s Tiverton: Live DJ at 8:30 pm
- Clarke Cooke House: Bobby Ferreira at 12:30 pm
- Fastnet Irish Pub: Irish Sessions at 6 pm
- Irish American Club: Karaoke at 9 pm
- Johnny’s Restaurant: Mac Chrupcala Jazz Series at 3 pm
- JPT Film & Event Center: Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story at 2 pm, The Brutalist at 4:30 pm
- Narragansett Cafe: The Senders at 4 pm
- O’Brien’s Pub: Karaoke at 9:30 pm
- Pour Judgement: Los Duderinos at 10 pm
- Speakeasy Bar & Grill: Live music at 9:30 pm
Newport County Public Meetings
- No public meetings are scheduled.
Monday, February 24
Things To Do
- 2 pm: Needles Galore Knitting Group at Jamestown Philomenian Library
- 4 pm: 3D Printing at Newport Public Library
More Events | Submit Your Event | Promote Your Event
Live Music & Entertainment
- Newport Harbor Island Resort: Musical Bingo at 6:30 pm
- Perro Salado: John Monllos at 5:30 pm
- Rejects Beer Co: Trivia at 6 pm
- The Fastnet Pub: The Ubiquitones at 10 pm
Newport County Public Meetings
- Jamestown: Town Council at 6 pm, Senior Services Committee at 6 pm
- Little Compton: Recreation Committee at 6:30 pm
- Newport: School Committee – Ad Hoc School Building Committee at 5:30 pm, Zoning Board of Review at 6 pm
- Middletown: Planning Board at 6 pm
- Portsmouth: Town Council at 6:30 pm
- Tiverton: Wastewater District at 5:30 pm, Housing Authority at 5:30 pm, Town Council at 7 pm
Tuesday, February 25
Middletown Library to welcome former Police Chief for book signing
Anthony Pesare, retired from Middletown PD, draws on organized crime investigation experience for second book in Gino Peterson series
Things To Do
- 10 am: Preschool Dance Party at Newport Public Library
- 12 pm: Brown Bag Book Club at Jamestown Philomenian Library
- 1:30 pm: Tuesday Matinee – Small Things Like These at Jamestown PHilomenian Library
- 3 pm: Scrabble at Newport Public Library
- 3:30 pm: Teen Board Games & Brownies at Newport Public Library
- 6 pm: Book Signing Event with Anthony Pesare at Middletown Public Library
More Events | Submit Your Event | Promote Your Event
Live Music & Entertainment
- JPT Film & Event Center: I’m Still Here at 4:30 pm, Sing Sing at 7:30 pm
- Narragansett Cafe: Trivia at 7 pm
- O’Brien’s Pub: Trivia at 7 pm
- Ticket’s Bar & Grille: Karaoke at 7 pm
Newport County Public Meetings
- Jamestown: Jamestown Zoning Board of Review at 7 pm
- Little Compton: Little Compton School Committee at 6 pm
- Middletown: Middletown 250th Committee at 3 pm, Middletown Juvenile Hearing Board at 5:45 pm, Middletown Zoning Board of Review at 6 pm
- Newport: Newport Cliff Walk Commission at 4:30 pm, Newport Ad Hoc Bridge Realignment Property Advisory Commission at 5 pm, Newport Tree Commission at 6 pm
- Portsmouth: Portsmouth Pension Advisory Committee at 5 pm, Portsmouth School Committee at 7 pm
- Tiverton: Tiverton Technical Review Committee at 2 pm, Tiverton Personnel Board
at 4 pm, Tiverton School Committee Policy Sub Committee at 6 pm, Tiverton Budget Committee at 6 pm, Tiverton, Town of at 7 pm, Tiverton Semiquincentennial Commission at 7 pm, Tiverton School Committee at 7 pm
Wednesday, February 26
February ‘Arts Around the Fire’ to feature Dan Swain, Director of Development and Programs for Newport Festival Foundation
Dan Swain to discuss year-round music education programs on Aquidneck Island
Things To Do
- 4 pm: Page To Plate Book Club at Jamestown Philomenian Library
- 4 pm: Games & Grub at Newport Public Library
- 6 pm: Arts Around The Fire at Sardella’s
- 6:30 pm: Fermentation Class at Forty 1 North
More Events | Submit Your Event | Promote Your Event
Live Music & Entertainment
- Buskers: Open Mic with Mike Warner at 9 pm
- Fastnet Pub: Trivia at 9 pm
- JPT Film & Event Center: Sing Sing at 4:30 pm, I’m Still Here at 7:30 pm
- Newport Vineyards: Trivia at 6 pm
- O’Brien’s Pub: Board Game Night at 5 pm
- Sardella’s: Jazz Night at 7 pm
Newport County Government
- Jamestown: Jamestown 250th Commission at 4:30 pm
- Middletown: Middletown Technical Review Committee at 9 am, Middletown School Building Committee at 4:30 pm, Middletown Planning Board at 6 pm
- Newport: Newport School Committee at 5:30 pm, Newport City Council at 6:30 pm
- RITBA: Turnpike and Bridge Authority, Rhode Island at 8:30 am
- Tiverton: Tiverton Harbor Commission at 7 pm
