things to do in newport, ri
Photo via Bowen's Wharf

With the arrival of November and the soon-to-arrive snow and very short days (and snow!), we’re already looking forward to spring, summer, music, wine, polo, next fall and all the great events, activities and things that keep us outside and busy in The City By The Sea.

The What’sUpNewp Crew has curated a list (with the help of the amazing Discover Newport Event Calendar and event organizers sending us the info) of 2016 events; here are some highlights….

For more events, activities and festivities visit Discover Newport.

28th Annual Newport Winter Festival – February 12 – 21, 2016: Featuring over 150 events, the Festival offers a unique winter experience combining food, festivities, music, and fun for all ages.

58th Annual Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade – March 12, 2016: The parade begins at 11am at City Hall, runs through Washington Square, down Thames Street, and ends at St. Augustine’s Church.

Salve Regina Spring & Easter Break – March 18 – 29, 2016:

Newport Restaurant Week Spring – April 1 – 10, 2016: Savor three-course meals from some of the finest area restaurants without breaking the bank! $16 for a three-course lunch and $35 for a three-course dinner.

Annual Newport Night Run – April 1, 2016: This 5k is Newport’s only night-time race.

3rd Annual Newport Daffodil Days Festival – April 16 – 24, 2016: 10 days of “Daffy” family fun and events among over 500,000 daffodils on Bowen’s and Bannister Wharves and throughout Newport.


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Annual Island National Police Parade – May 1, 2016: The parade features over 4,000 law enforcement participants to commemorate National Police Week. Parade starts on West Main Road going towards Newport.

Salve Regina 2016 Commencement – May 15, 2016:

25th Newport International Polo Series Begins – June, 4 2016: Kicks off their 25th season of Newport International Polo and offers 17 action-packed matches every Saturday through September. Watch as all-star lineups of international competitors take the field. Purchase a tailgate for the optimal experience, or plant your seat in the lawn and relax. Just don’t forget to help stomp the divots!

Annual Newport 10 Miler – June 5, 2016: The event will start outside the east wall of historic Fort Adams. The course will prominently feature Newport’s scenic coastal views around the famed Ocean Drive and will pass many Bellevue Avenue mansions. The finish line will be truly unique as participants will enter the Fort through the north gate and finish on the parade field.

SVF Annual Visitors Day – June 11, 2016: Looking for some family fun this summer? Interested in learning more about heritage breed livestock? Join SVF Foundation for our annual Visitors Day celebration, and enjoy a day packed with fascinating information and fun activities, all set on SVF’s breathtaking 35-acre property in Newport, Rhode Island. This event is free to the public. Parking will be available at Fort Adams State Park and free trolley transportation will be provided from 9am-3pm. There will be no parking available at SVF

Annual Newport Bermuda Race – June 17, 2016: The Race is a 635 nautical-mile ocean race first sailed in 1906 and held biennially in even-numbered years. The race usually takes three to six days as it crosses a stretch of the Atlantic Ocean known for challenging weather; especially in the Gulf Stream, where there are strong currents. The start is off Castle Hill Light., Rhode Island.

Annual Great Chowder Cook-Off – June 18, 2016: The Annual Great Chowder Cook-Off will be held at Fort Adams State Park for the second year in a row.

Newport Flower Show – June 24 – 26, 2016: During the Gilded Age, nearly every aspect of life was elevated to an art form. Gardens became stages for nature’s most brilliant performances, women’s fashions were created for stylish parades, and houses became museums for a lifetime of treasures. Join us as we celebrate all that is Gilded!


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Annual Newport 4th of July Fireworks – July 4, 2016: The fireworks show begins after dark, around 9:15pm. Best viewing is anywhere along Newport Harbor, facing west. Rain date: July 5th.

48th Annual Newport Music Festival – July 8 – 24, 2016: Newport Music Festival continues the tradition of presenting unique chamber music programs, American debuts, world-class artists and gala special events in the Gilded Age summer cottages of Newport, Rhode Island.

International Tennis Hall Of Fame Tennis Championships – July 9 – 17, 2016:  Contested on the historic grass tennis courts of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, the tournament is the only event played on grass courts outside of Europe, and it offers the only opportunity to see professional men’s tennis in the Northeast prior to the US Open.

*Annual Water Brothers Surf Fest – (Potentially) July 9, 2016: The annual Water Brothers Surf Fest is usually held the 2nd Saturday of July.

Annual Black Ships Festival – July 15 – 17, 2016: The Festival is a family-oriented event, incorporating events for all ages. The Festival provides an opportunity to see, sample, and experience authentic Japanese arts, cuisine, performances, and traditions. Signature events include Martial Arts, a Tea Ceremony, the Taiko Drum Festival, Sushi & Sake Sail, Black Ships Gala and Japanese workshops and demonstrations.

Annual Craft Brew Races Newport – July 16, 2016: A fun walk/run 5k in Newport followed by a craft beer festival with more than 30 local craft breweries.

Annual Newport Folk Festival – July 22 – 24, 2016: The Newport Folk Festival, founded by George Wein in 1959, takes place on the grounds at Fort Adams State Park and features three stages of music, food, crafts and a number of displays. See website for lineup.

8th Annual Newport Bridgefest – July 25 – 28, 2016: The Newport BridgeFest is a local, live music and music education festival that “bridges” the gap between the prestigious Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals for a continuous 10 days of music in our community.

Annual Newport Jazz Festival – July 29 – 31, 2016: The festival features three full days of jazz on three unique stages at Fort Adams, one of the Park system’s national treasures situated at the mouth of Newport Harbor with panoramic views of the Newport Bridge and the East Passage.

Annual Save The Bay Swim – August 13, 2016: The Swim is a 1.7 mile journey across Narragansett Bay that raises funds to support Save The Bay Programs! The Swim is Save The Bay’s largest annual fundraiser, serving as critical support to our efforts to protect and restore the Narragansett Bay region.


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*Newport Storm Luau – (Potentially) August 13, 2016: The Annual Newport Storm Luau is traditionally held on the 2nd Saturday of August.

46th Annual Newport International Boat Show – September 15 – 18, 2016: One of the largest in-water boat shows in the country, NIBS features a full range of powerboats and sailboats from both domestic and international manufacturers.

11th Annual Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival – September 23 – 25, 2016: Held in one of the most spectacular settings in America, this remarkable weekend experience features hundreds of wines from around the world, fabulous food, cooking demonstrations by nationally-renowned chefs, live and silent auctions and a gala celebration.

Annual Norman Bird Sanctuary Harvest Fair – October 1 – 2, 2016: This annual Harvest Fair is among the best around, fun for all ages!

14th Annual Fort Adams In The Fall Car Show – October 8, 2016: Over 400+ vehicles including cars, trucks, vans and motorcycles. Prizes are awarded in 45+ classes. A “Peer Judged” Event.

Annual Newport Marathon & Half Marathon – October 9, 2016: Enjoy 13.1 or 26.2 miles of scenic, oceanfront splendor as the Newport Marathon returns. Long stretches of gorgeous views, challenging hills, and Newport’s unique beauty make this a bucket-list experience for any runner.

Annual Columbus Day Parade – October 10, 2016: This parade closes out the Annual Newport Italiana Festival

26th Annual Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival – October 15 – 16, 2016: Historic Bowen’s Wharf in downtown Newport, RI, will host the 26th annual Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival, on October 15th and 16th.

Newport Restaurant Week Fall – November 4 – 13, 2016: Savor three-course meals from some of the finest area restaurants without breaking the bank! $16 for a three-course lunch and $35 for a three-course dinner.

Christmas At The Newport Mansions Begins – November 20, 2016: The mansions will deck their “halls” and be open to the public for the holiday season.

Annual Holiday Boat Parade – November 25, 2016: Great viewing from Bowen’s Wharf! Come watch the decorated boats and celebrate the season!

More events to come as they are announced…

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