Polar Bear Plunge, Eastons Beach. At noon, the Polar Bear Club takes its first swim of the new year to benefit charity.
Annual Winter Festival. Newport comes alive with sparkle and excitement, featuring over 160 individual events over ten days of food, festivities, music, and fun for all ages. Call (401) 847-7666
St. Patrick's Day Celebration & Parade, Downtown Newport. If you're Irish and can be in Newport on St. Patrick's Day (if it falls on a Saturday) or the Saturday before (if St. Patrick's Day falls on any other day), come for one of the biggest celebrations in New England. On this Saturday, many establishments that had closed for a winter break reopen and it signifies the "start" of the tourist season in Newport. A very fun day to be in town. Some bars/restaurants open as early at 8 A.M. for the festivities.
Great Chowder Cook Off, Newport Yachting Center. Restaurants from as far away as Seattle compete for the best chowder.
Annual Newport Flower Show at Rosecliff. The Newport Flower Show celebrates its 15th year as America’s premier summer flower show in 2010 with an African theme. Safari-Flora and Fauna will capture the imagination with the exotic treasures of a continent that boasts the most diverse range of plants and animals in the world and demonstrations. Lunch and merchandise also available. Rosecliff mansion is a beautiful backdrop for the occasion.
Secret Garden Tours. Twice a year select Newport residents open up their backyard "secret gardens" to the public for tour. A must-see for any garden lover.
Black Ships Festival. A 4-day festival between Newport and Japan offering events emphasizing Japanese art and culture.
Hellenic Festival, Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church. Three-day greek festival with food, pastry, music, dancing, Mythos beer and ouzo, in addition to shopping at the Greek Marketplace.
Annual Newport Music Festival. If classical and chamber music is your style, the Newport Music Festival is a two-week event offering over 50 concerts in Newport's historic mansions like The Breakers, Marble House, The Elms and Rosecliff. A 30-year tradition in Newport, the event is known as a top festival destination in R.I. and the country.
Annual Tennis Hall of Fame - Campbells Hall of Fame Tennis Championships. 32 of the top players in the world compete on the legendary grass courts of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. The first American stop on the ATP World Tour following Wimbledon, Newport is the only professional grass court tournament in North America. Culiminates with the Hall of Fame annual Induction Ceremony.
Save The Bay Swim, Naval Station. Begins at 6:30am. The 34th Annual Swim begins at the Naval Station in Newport and ends at Potter Cove in Jamestown (1.7 miles). Pledge dollars raised by swimmers help support Save the Bay advocacy, education, and habitat restoration. Call (401) 272-3540 x140.
George Wein's Newport Jazz Festival, Ft. Adams. Legendary 3-day festival at Fort Adams State Park attracting jazz greats from across the country. A Newport tradition for over 30 years. This year's lineup features performers like Tony Bennett, Branford Marsalis and Dave Brubek.
Victory Day. Rhode Island is the only state that still celebrates the World War II surrender of Japan, which took place on August 14, 1945 (North American time). Formerly known as Victory Over Japan or VJ Day, the name has been shortened to reflect modern sensitivities. State and municipal offices are closed, and it's a holiday for employees of many Rhode Island businesses.
Newport Folk Festival, Ft. Adams. 3-day festival at Fort Adams State Park featuring legendary folk artists performers like Arlo Guthrie, Joan Baez and Judy Collins.
Newport Waterfront Irish Festival, Newport Yachting Center. Céad míle fáilte! This Labor Day weekend, come join the Newport Yachting Center in celebrating all things Celtic at the Newport Waterfront Irish Festival, one of the largest Irish festivals in the country.
Newport Boat Show, Newport Yachting Center. The 40th Annual Newport International Boat Show features new sailboats and powerboats, and thousands of products and services from both domestic and international exhibitors.
Newport Mansions Food & Wine Festival. 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.
36th Annual Harvest Fair, Norman Bird Sanctuary. A perennial favorite on the island and around southern New England, the NBS Harvest Fair attracts 13,000 people of all ages. This 2 day event brings families together to enjoy food, entertainment, games, children's crafts, pony rides, hayrides, pumpkin painting, face painting, and old-time favorites: the Mud Pit and the Monkey Bridge.
Christmas in Newport. Month-long fabulous celebration of the holidays. Tree lightings, caroling, house tours, theater, concerts and holiday train rides. Favorite of all Kids and Romantics.