Military families touring or living in the Newport area during the spring and summer have an extensive variety of outdoor festivals to choose from. The region is known for its love affair with the annual jazz and folk festivals, but many other themed celebrations fill the calendar.
As you plan your PCS to Naval Station Newport, include some time to check out one of the dozens of festivals that occur during the warm months. There’s no better way to jump in and start living like a Newport local!
If any of these festivals strike interest, jump on ticket sales as they sell out quickly.
1. Newport Irish Heritage Month
Newport cherishes its Irish ancestry and celebrates the entire month of March. Past events have included family favorite, the Green Eggs and Ham parade fundraiser, but the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade steals the show. There are literally dozens of events to enjoy all month long: traditional Irish music and dance, food, tours, Gaelic music lessons, and lectures.
Learn More About Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island.
2. Newport Beer Festival
April is the perfect month to meet your best beer buddies out at Fort Adams State Park to sample your choice of more than 100 beers from 50 breweries. Spend the day sipping, tasting, and enjoying live music with a crowd of fellow suds lovers.
Recycle during the festival, and you’ll earn raffle tickets for a drawing worth $1,000 in brewery, sponsor, and exhibitor prizes.
3. Newport’s Daffodil Days Festival
Daffy Days are here again! During the height of spring, Newport shows off more than 1 million daffodils throughout April. An all-volunteer team produces the annual festival simply to add joy to the city. The group plants bulbs in support of Daffodillion, the nonprofit group that works to add beautification throughout Newport.
During the Daffodil Days Festival, events are planned throughout the city to take advantage of the gorgeous scenery. Popular past events included Daffy Dancing, Beach Cleanup at the Cliff Walk, Daffy Doggie Paw-rade, and Daffodil Stroll & Shop in the historic Bellevue Shopping District.
4. Rogue Island Comedy Festival Spring
This popular comedy festival became so popular that it’s now a semi-annual event. Enjoy spring comedy vibes over Memorial Day weekend, or if your PCS lands in you in town later, you can catch the festival over Columbus Day weekend.
The festival includes several venues in Newport, including the Jane Pickens Theater, Ragged Island Brewing, and Top of Pelham. New names are regularly added to the list of talented comics, so submit your email for the latest lineup news.
5. The Newport Flower Show
The iconic mansions of Newport are ideal locations for spring and summer festivals, and Rosecliff is home to New England’s prestigious flower show in June. The yearly celebration includes horticultural competitions, garden displays, and imaginative, colorful floral designs.
Visitors can also participate in opening night parties, afternoon tea service, champagne and jazz brunch, and shopping among vendors on site. The flower show benefits The Preservation Society of Newport County.
6. Newport Classical Music Festival
The entire month of July is dedicated to classical music throughout Newport, thanks to this world-renowned festival that has captured audiences' undivided attention for decades. Concertgoers will have the difficult task of choosing among nearly 30 concerts performed in eleven venues. The range of performances is vast and includes new composers, instrument-specific works, and popular guest musicians.
7. Newport Folk Festival
In July, Fort Adams State Park is home to the world-renowned Newport Folk Festival. Its storied history dates back to 1959 and boasts performances from artists from all variations of folk music and beyond. Top names have included Pete Seeger; Peter, Paul and Mary; and Bob Dylan. The Pixies, Black Crows, Dolly Parton, and Mumford & Sons have also graced the stage.
The festival is famous for selling out months before releasing the official lineup. Organizers like to reserve a few headliners for surprise reveals. Past surprise guests were James Taylor and Kris Kristofferson.
8. Newport Jazz Festival
Closing the summer in August is the granddaddy of music festivals in Newport. The Newport Jazz Festival is first in the hearts of locals and quickly becomes a favorite of newcomers. Beginning in 1954, the festival continues to draw jazz fans nationwide and internationally. Concertgoers have been treated to historic performances from Miles Davis and the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Additional notable performers included Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Carmen McRae. If today’s jazz is more your style, connect with the festival’s social channels so you don’t miss this year’s performances.
Certainly, this lineup has built excitement for heading to Naval Station Newport! Although these fabulous events are waiting, you’ll probably need practical advice for the transition. We've got you covered with a guide dedicated to easing the move to Newport. Details include school and military spouse resources in addition to popular neighborhood descriptions. And while you're at it, take a look at housing options in Newport, Rhode Island.
