The New England Music Organization will open the 2026 Newport Independent Music Festival, or NIMFest, with “The Voice” standout Madison Curbelo, performing with special guest Atticus Allen on Sunday, July 5, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the King Park Gazebo, 125 Wellington Ave.
The free, family-friendly series returns for the summer, bringing local and regional artists to Newport’s waterfront on Sundays in July and August from 3 to 6 p.m., weather permitting.
A Massachusetts-based singer-songwriter, Curbelo has emerged as one of New England’s rising artists, captivating a national audience as a Top 9 finalist on Season 25 of “The Voice,” where she was mentored by Dan + Shay. Drawing inspiration from artists including Olivia Dean, Stevie Nicks, Bruno Mars and Paul Simon, she crafts songs rich in storytelling and emotional honesty and tours throughout the United States with her band. Opening the afternoon is Newport favorite Atticus Allen, known for his work with Los Duderinos and performances at local venues including Pour Judgement and The Quencher, who will perform an acoustic set blending blues, funk and slacker rock.
The 2026 season continues each Sunday through August. The lineup includes Lazy Trail with Hey Rel on July 12; Hawk in the Nest with Poppy in the Beet Patch on July 19; a Songwriter Showcase with Lainey Dionne, Sweet Petunia and Natalie Paige on July 26; Seba Molnar with the John Monllos Trio on Aug. 2; the Coe Street Co-Op with Lily Rhodes on Aug. 9; Soul City on Aug. 16; and Groove Merchants with Olivia Nied on Aug. 23.
All concerts are free and open to the public. Organizers encourage attendees to bring blankets and lawn chairs, and note that King Park is also accessible by paddlecraft, making it easy for kayakers and paddleboarders to enjoy the music from Newport Harbor. Attendees are encouraged to carpool, as parking is limited, and alcohol is not permitted in the park. All concerts are weather permitting, with no scheduled rain dates.
NIMFest 2026 is made possible through support from the Hamilton Family Foundation and the city of Newport. More information is available at NewEnglandMusic.org.
