The 38th Annual Newport Winter Festival returns February 13–22, bringing ten days of live entertainment, culinary competitions, and family-friendly events to venues across the City by the Sea.
Billed as “New England’s Largest Winter Festival,” the annual celebration kicks off Friday, February 13, with a performance by Bennie & The Jets, an Elton John tribute band, at Newport Harbor Island Resort at 8:30 p.m.
New this year: Newport WienerFest
The festival debuts its newest event on Saturday, February 21, when the inaugural Newport WienerFest takes over Newport Craft Brewing from noon to 3 p.m. The event celebrates Rhode Island’s beloved hot wieners with food and drink specials, free samples, and prizes.
The highlight? An inaugural Wiener Eating Competition at 1:30 p.m., where competitors can battle for bragging rights. Entry is $10 with limited spots available.
Admission to WienerFest is $18 in advance (or with a Winter Festival bracelet at the door) or $20 at the door without a bracelet.
“Each year, we aim to create new experiences while honoring the traditions our community loves,” said festival organizers. “The addition of the 1st Annual Newport WienerFest and Wiener Eating Competition is a fun new way to bring even more energy and excitement to this year’s festival.”
Culinary competitions
The festival’s signature food and drink competitions return:
29th Annual Chili Cook-Off — Saturday, February 14, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Newport Marriott. Area restaurants and caterers compete to see who has the best chili in town. From classic recipes to unique twists, attendees can sample and vote for their favorite.
Annual Best Hot Drink Contest — Thursday, February 19, 8:30 p.m. at The Red Parrot, 348 Thames Street. Local bars and restaurants compete for the Festival Plaque while guests 21+ sample the concoctions and enjoy drink specials. Free admission and free samples. Contestants interested in entering can contact the Red Parrot at 401-847-3140.
Mac & Cheese Smackdown — Sunday, February 22, 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Newport Marriott Hotel. The festival finale features local chefs competing with traditional recipes and innovative twists on the comfort food classic. Attendees sample and vote for the winner.
Family entertainment
A full lineup of family-friendly performances runs throughout the festival, mostly during February school vacation week:
Toe Jam Puppet Band — Sunday, February 15, noon at Newport Marriott. Original songs, masterful shadow puppetry, storytelling, and interactive fun for kids and parents.
Magic by George — Sunday, February 15, 2 p.m. at Newport Marriott. Multi-award-winning magician presents jaw-dropping magic, psychic mind reading, and comedy, featuring live birds and an audience member floating in mid-air.
Fire & Ice Mad Science Show — Monday, February 16, noon at Newport Marriott. Foggy dry ice storms, floating beach balls, and impressive science experiments.
Reptile Shows of New England — Monday, February 16, 2 p.m. at Newport Marriott. Kids learn about snakes, turtles, and lizards with live animals as the stars.
Teddy Bear Musical Celebration and Story Time — Tuesday, February 17, 11 a.m. at Newport Harbor Hotel. Bring your favorite teddy bear for stories and songs with musical storyteller Christopher “Kavi” Carbone. Tea for adults, milk and cookies for children.
Princess Party — Wednesday, February 18, 1-3 p.m. at OceanCliff. Meet Disney princesses at “OceanCliff Castle” for stories, songs, dancing, face painting, and crown decorating. Wear your favorite princess attire (princes welcome too). All children and parents need tickets. No strollers in ballroom. Co-sponsored by OceanCliff/Newport Experience.
BubbleMania — Thursday, February 19, 7 p.m. at Newport Marriott. High-energy entertainment featuring visual comedy, big band swing music, and bubble artist Casey Carle creating intricate bubble artforms — including “trapping” people inside bubbles.
David Garrity Illusionist — Friday, February 20, 6:30 p.m. at Newport Marriott. “IllusionQuest” features magic, illusions, audience participation, and someone from the audience floating in the air. A family member even learns to perform the classic “Cutting A Lady In Half” illusion.
Evening entertainment
Live music and performances for adults throughout the festival:
Bennie & The Jets (Elton John tribute) — Friday, February 13, 8:30 p.m. at Newport Harbor Island Resort. Hits include “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” and “I’m Still Standing.”
Another Tequila Sunrise (Eagles tribute) — Saturday, February 14, 8:30 p.m. at Newport Harbor Island Resort. New England-based tribute band performing Eagles music for over 20 years, covering classic hits plus solo material from Don Henley, Joe Walsh, and the late Glenn Frey.
Winter Fest Comedy Show — Friday, February 20, 8 p.m. at Newport Craft Brewing. Three comedians from Next Stop Comedy bring sharp wit and big punchlines. Ages 16+.
Won’t Back Down (Tom Petty tribute) — Saturday, February 21, 8:30 p.m. at The Wyndham Newport Hotel. Celebrating the music and life of Tom Petty with songs from his career with The Heartbreakers and as a solo artist.
Tickets and information
For tickets, event details, and the full festival schedule, visit newportwinterfestival.com or follow the Newport Winter Festival on social media.
Comments are closed.