Newport Folk Festival Day 2: The Lumineers close out a packed Saturday at Fort Adams

NEWPORT — Day 2 of the sold-out 2026 Newport Folk Festival delivered another full slate of music Saturday at Fort Adams State Park, with The Lumineers closing out the Fort Stage to cap an afternoon and evening that built steadily toward one of the weekend’s most anticipated headliners.

Gillian Welch & David Rawlings turned heads earlier in the evening with a Grateful Dead acoustic set, while Lizzy McAlpine and Punch Brothers held the Fort Stage through the afternoon. Cat Power and Vulfpeck anchored the Quad Stage, with the Dawes Duo and The Barr Brothers rounding out the Harbor Stage.

The day opened on the Fort Stage with a hometown moment — Newport-based mystic folk trio Princess June, featuring Myah Strauser, Griffin Keeffe, and Telli Quinn, brought their rich three-part harmonies and organic acoustic arrangements to one of folk music’s most storied stages.

Earlier in the day, Leif Vollebekk, This Is Lorelei, and Kirby kept the Quad Stage rolling, while Trousdale and Yasmin Williams & William Tyler drew crowds to the Harbor Stage. The Foundation Stage featured a conversation with Jordan Klepper and a Music Lab Students session with Taylor Goldsmith. The Bike Stage spotlighted emerging artists including Madi Diaz, Morgan Nagler, and John R. Miller.

The festival wraps up tonight with Nathaniel Rateliff & Friends headlining the Fort Stage, joined by Brandi Carlile, Father John Misty, and Brandon Flowers on the Quad Stage.

What’sUpNewp photographer Rick Farrell’s Day 3 galleries will be posted on Monday morning, here are his highlights from Saturday.