Summer in Newport and live tunes, they’re a perfect match like clam cakes and chowder.
Check out the array of free or donation-based outdoor musical delights this summer.
Schedules are subject to change. This story will be updated as more schedules, and additional details are announced. Please check with event organizers/venues for the latest updates throughout the season.
NIMFEST at King Park
NIMFest celebrates its 16th season of family-friendly, free Sunday concerts from 3-6 pm at King Park featuring music from local and RI musicians, presented by the City of Newport with support from the Hamilton Family Foundation. Mark your calendars — bring lawn chairs, a blanket, kids, and the dog!
Friends Of the Waterfront Concerts at King Park
Waterfront Concerts at King Park are back this summer! Concerts take place from 5-7 PM and are free.
Note: Due to the weather forecast, the performance by James Montgomery All-Star Blues Vand has been rescheduled to July 21.
Family Night/Children’s Night Concert Series at Easton’s Beach
Family Night Concerts take place on Tuesdays in July & August. Children’s Nights take place on Thursdays in July. All concerts are free and open to the public. All shows begin at 6:00 pm. In the event of inclement weather, call 401-845-5810.
Summer Concert Series at Shops at Long Wharf
Enjoy free concerts throughout the summer from 1 pm to 5 pm on most weekends at the Shops at Long Wharf.
Summer Concert Series at Naval Station Newport Officers’ Club
Further proof summer has arrived at the installation… the summer concert series returns to the Naval Station Newport Officers’ Club! Gather with shipmates, colleagues, and members of the NAVSTA Newport community. Note: You must have base access to attend these.
Newport Classical Music Festival
Newport Classical Music Festival will host twenty-seven concerts for its 54th season, July 4 – 23. Full schedule here.
The festival will present a free concert, Fenway Quintet: Patriotic Pops, at King Park on Tuesday, July 4.
Fort Adams Music Series
Head to Fort Adams State Park for a free music series throughout the summer. All concerts are from 6 pm to 8 pm.
- June 28: The Ravers
- August 23: Those Guys
- August 30: Mr. Chubb
- September 6: The Ravers
Music on The Lawn at St. John’s The Evangelist
Enjoy Music On The Lawn at St. John The Evangelist on July 11, 18, 25, and August 1.
Live From The Loading Dock at MLK Center
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center will host Live From The Loading Dock…Courtsidein 2023.
All concerts begin at 4:30 pm and food will be provided completely free of charge.
newportFILM Outdoors
newportFILM will return this summer with their outdoor film screenings at various locations throughout Aquidneck Island.
2023 newportFILM Outdoors Schedule
THURS, JUN 22 — Patrick and the Whale
Great Friends Meeting House, Newport
7:20 PM – Live music by Bill Bartholomew & Randy Robbins
8:40 PM – Film
THURS, JUN 29 — It’s Only Life After All
Marble House, Newport
7:20 PM – Live music by Mel
8:40 PM – Film
THURS, JUL 6 — After the Bite
Salve O’Hare Lawn, Newport
7:20 PM – Live music by Chelley Knight & Chris Vaillancourt
8:40 PM – Film
THURS, JUL 13 — Forte
Aquidneck Park, Newport
7:15 PM – Newport Classical Presents: Llewellyn Sanchez-Werner
8:35 PM – Film
THURS, JUL 20 — Food & Country
Fort Adams, Newport
7:15 PM – Live music by Jake Heady
8:30 PM – Film
THURS, JUL 27 — Ron Delsener Presents
Safe Harbor New England Boat Works, Portsmouth
7:10 PM – Live music by Chase Ceglie
8:25 PM – Film
THURS, AUG 3 — Immediate Family
Chateau-sur-Mer, Newport
7:00 PM – Live music by Julio Amaro
8:15 PM – Film
THURS, AUG 10 — Cowboy Poets
9th Annual Picnic Contest
Newport Polo Grounds, Portsmouth
6:50 PM – Live music by La Méchante et le Connard
8:10 PM – Film
THURS, AUG 17 — Water Brother: The Sid Abbruzzi Story
Fort Adams, Newport
6:45 PM – Live music by Nate Cozzolino & The Lost Arts
8:00 PM – Film
THURS, AUG 24 — Invisible Beauty
The Elms, Newport
6:30 PM – Live music by Lainey Dionne
7:45 PM – Film
THURS, AUG 31 — Going Varsity in Mariachi
Miantonomi Park, Newport
6:20 PM – Live music by TBD
7:35 PM – Film
To see the full newportFILM Outdoors schedule, visit www.newportfilm.com/summer-schedule/
Ragged Island Summer Concert Series
Ragged Island will host their inaugural free Summer Concert Series in 2023. These are all-ages shows and Ragged Island Brewing Company encourage you to bring your own lawn chairs and/or blankets to set up on the Horse Shoe Lawn!
Wednesday Music Series at Newport Vineyards
Join Newport Vineyards for their Wednesday live music series by the vines! The series runs June 21 – August 30 and takes place from 5 pm to 8 pm. Enjoy wine or beer-tasting flights, a glass, bites, or dinner while you enjoy the tunes! Plus, their Flight Night Wednesday specials! Reserve a table for dining OR bring a chair / blanket and order at the bar to hang by the vines. The music will be outside, weather pending, near the covered terrace & covered porch.
- June 21: Blue Light Bandits
- June 28: Jimmy & Matt
- July 5: So Lucky DMB Tribute
- July 12: Greg Loftus
- July 19: The Teledynes
- July 26: Katy Guillen & The Drive
- August 2: Kim Moberg
- August 9: La Mechante et le Connard
- August 16: The Naticks
- August 23: Honeysuckle
Newport Vineyards will also add a Sunday series from June 18 through Labor Day. Live music will take place from 1 pm to 4 pm.
See the full lineup of bands and events here.
Middletown’s Monday Night Beach Concert Series
Middletown brings the family fun to Second Beach Monday nights in August. Enjoy the fire pits, food trucks, and free music. Remember, no alcohol or dogs are allowed.
Music In The Park
The Middletown Outreach Department is spearheading a new “Music In The Park” series in July in Paradise Valley Park.
Beginning July 10, the Monday evening series from 6-8 has food trucks, free concerts and lawn games in the Prospect Avenue park home to the Boyd’s Grist Windmill.
- July 10: Diesel along with Amano Pizza & Wally’s Hot Dog Cart.
- July 17: Atwater/Donnelly Trio (American folk) and the Cluck Truck & Wiener Wagon
- July 24: Evan Brum (Rock) and La Costa Lobster & Taco Truck and Wally’s Hot Dog Cart
- July 31: Alexus Lee (Soul) and Amano Pizza & Wally’s Hot Dog Cart
Aquidneck Growers’ Markets
Shop while listening to great local music at Aquidneck Growers Markets all summer long. The Saturday Summer Market takes place at Embrace Home Loans every Saturday from 9 am to 12 pm, the Wednesday Summer Market takes place on Memorial Boulevard every Wednesday from 2 pm to 6 pm.
Summer Outdoor Concert Series at Norman Bird Sanctuary
The Norman Bird Sanctuary and Newport Live (formerly known as Common Fence Music) will again present a Summer Outdoor Concert Series this year. These outdoor performances will feature a diverse array of nationally renowned musicians. All shows start at 7 pm. Tickets are $35 per person for each show. More info and tickets at newportlive.org.
Have a concert series that you’d like to see included here? Email Ryan@whatsupnewp.com.
