Good Friday morning, Newport!

Here’s our daily rundown of what’s happening out there today, plus all that you need to know; enjoy!

Weather Forecast

  • Today: A slight chance of showers before 7am, then a chance of showers after 3pm. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 57. Northwest wind 10 to 14 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
  • Tonight: A chance of showers before 10pm, then a slight chance of showers after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. West wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Marine Forecast

  • Today: NW wind 9 to 12 kt becoming WSW in the afternoon. A chance of showers, mainly after 4pm. Seas 1 ft or less.
  • Tonight: W wind around 7 kt. A chance of showers before 10pm, then a slight chance of showers after 4am. Seas 1 ft or less.
  • The coastal water temperature is 56 degrees.

Sun, Moon & Tide

  • Sunrise at 5:18 am. Sunset at 8:06 pm. 14 hours & 47 minutes of sun.
  • High tide at 4:47 am & 5:21 p.m. Low tide at 10:27 am & 11:36 pm.
  • The lunar phase is a Waning Crescent.

🚨 You need to know

Nine Salve Regina University artists are showcasing their work inspired by Aquidneck Island in a new exhibition opening May 23 at the Dorrance Hamilton Gallery in Newport, Rhode Island.

The Compass Art Residency Opening, from 3:30 to 5 p.m., features nearly 100 pieces created by students who have been immersed in the local landscape over the past few weeks.

“Compass: A compilation of living sketchbooks” aims to capture Aquidneck and Conanicut Islands’ beauty through various artistic mediums.

The featured artists are Shaye Doherty, Mahea Dunn, Anna Egan, Sidney Gosselin, Joanna Larusso, Josephine Mayse, Djeana Timas, Tina Torok, and Katie Wood.

Visitors can view the artists’ hand-bound sketchbooks, giving insight into their creative processes and inspirations from the surrounding area.

The event is open to the public, with light refreshments provided by Bellevue Boards.

The Dorrance Hamilton Gallery is at 56 Lawrence Ave., on the corner of Leroy and Lawrence in Newport.

Here’s what else you need to know

The Boots on the Ground for Heroes Memorial opens at Fort Adams State Park today and runs through Monday. The powerful display features over 7,000 combat boots, each one representing a U.S. service member who lost their life in the Global War on Terror since 9/11.

Join The JPT’s three-day celebration of Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster JAWS this weekend. Catch live music, a live shark touch-tank experience from Save The Bay, and free swag, merch, and sips from Narragansett Beer and Juggernaut Wines. This event is sponsored by What’sUpNewp.

Newport Vineyards kicks off its 30th Anniversary celebration with the Tank Patio season opening today. The event will feature wine tastings, dining, and live music throughout the weekend.

Visitors to Newport (and residents) can once again enjoy free transportation to the city’s top tourist spots this summer. The popular hop-on hop-off service on RIPTA Line #67 is back, running from today through October 31, 2025.

📈 Yesterday’s most-read

The following were yesterday’s most-read What’sUpNewp articles.

  1. Obituary: Richard Boyd
  2. Obituary: Karen Spohn
  3. Puddingstone Music unveils inaugural Summer Festival for 2025
  4. Free hop-on hop-off trolley returns to Newport
  5. Obituary: Esther Bernstein
  6. Things to do in Newport County this Memorial Day Weekend: May 22 – 26
  7. Newport expands parking benefits for residents
  8. Congressman Amo introduces R.U.B.I.O. act to limit Secretary of State’s roles
  9. Sold-out Rosecliff forum unites experts to save Newport’s iconic trees
  10. Record-breaking $3.7 million land sale in Jamestown marks highest since 2017

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s happening today in Newport.

Things To Do

Live Music & Entertainment

Newport County Public Meetings

No meetings are scheduled.

Ryan Belmore is the owner and publisher of What's Up Newp. He took over the publication in 2012 and has grown it into a three-time Rhode Island Monthly Best Local News Blog (2018, 2019, 2020). He was named LION Publishers Member of the Year in 2020 and received the Dominique Award from the Arts & Cultural Society of Newport County the same year. He has been awarded grants for investigative and community journalism, and continues to coach and mentor new local news publications nationwide. Ryan...