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Events at Bowen's Wharf

34th Annual Seafood Festival

Annual Seafood Festival

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Date

October 18th & 19th, 2025

Sat & Sun: 11am - 6pm

Historic Bowen’s Wharf in downtown Newport, RI, will host the 32nd annual Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival, on October 14th and 15th, 2023. Named one of the “10 Fabulous Fall Festivals on the Coast,” by Coastal Living Magazine, this event is an open invitation for all to come back to the waterfront after the rush of the summer season!

Honoring the “Harvest of the Sea,” the Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival offers fresh, local seafood. Fish tacos, lobster rolls, stuffies, chowder, fried calamari, clams, oysters, signature cocktails and cold beer accompany continuous live music, and family fun, all beneath the Wharf’s colorful tents. Other neighboring restaurants and fisherman’s associations serve up their most celebrated seafood dishes as well as a few dishes for landlubbers and kids. Frozen lemonade, donuts, and kettle corn for your sweet tooth. Cafe-style seating is set up throughout the Wharf and proceeds from festival bars benefit Oliver Hazard Perry, RI’s 200-foot official sailing education vessel.

As you savor some delectable dishes, relax and enjoy the beats from area musicians. Live folk, surf rock, Caribbean and blues music are just a taste of what you’ll hear. Bring your dancing shoes because these bands promise to get your feet moving!

Bring the whole family and join the many locals and devoted visitors over the course of this two-day event.

* FREE ADMISSION *

(food and beverages can be purchased at vendor booths) RAIN OR SHINE UNDER THE FESTIVAL TENTS!

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Schedule

Saturday, October 18, 2025

TBA

Sunday, October 19, 2025

TBA

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Sponsors

Sustainability Partners

Associate Sponsors

Supporting Sponsors

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Additional Info

Jamestown Newport Ferry

Avoid parking and experience a convenient, reliable and fun way to travel to the Festival!

How To Volunteer

We’re excited to be partnering with Clean Ocean Access to reduce our landfill impact and promote sustainability practices at the event. Our focus will be waste diversion and public engagement through composting, in support of their Healthy Soils Healthy Seas RI initiative. We’ll have several multi-bin waste stations managed by volunteers to help festival attendees separate landfill waste from composted material, recycling and oyster shells.

What is the rain policy?

The event will be held rain or shine.

Pet Policy: Are dogs allowed?

Only service dogs will be permitted inside the festival tents, but all furry friends are always welcome elsewhere on the wharf!