Summer in Newport is one of the highlights of New Engl and’s music scene. The festivals bring in big names and our local groups are not to be missed.
First things first, if you are visiting Newport this summer you need to know about the FOUR major music festivals.
The Newport Music Festival has been entertaining the east coast with classical concerts for almost 50 years. Spread over the month of July, they put on more than sixty concerts at venues like the Newport Mansions, historical buildings & parks all around Newport County.
The Newport Folk Festival, founded in 1959, takes place at Fort Adams State Park, July 27th-29th. This large waterside venue sets up four stages as well as many vendors for food and shopping, as well some exhibition space. They have about 20 artists playing each of the three days.
Bridgefest, taking place July 30th-August 2nd, 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. It has become a great way to showcase the many talented local musicians and bring people in for many community events. Many of these will be taking place in and around Bowen’s Wharf, as part of Busking @ Bowen’s which picks up again in September & October featuring local musicians.
The Newport Jazz Festival is August 3rd-5th, and sets up similarly to the Folk Festival, all within Fort Adams State Park. The festival at the Fort features 4 stages of music, food and crafts, two beer and wine gardens and a number of displays.
While the festivals are surely the highlight of music events in Newport, there are countless other performances by local artists that take place nightly all around town…like the Waterfront Concert Series at King’s Park, and ongoing Open Mic nights at The Wharf Pub Newport.
Thanks Molly Henshaw, our long-time Pilot House salesperson, psychology student and Portsmouth resident, for compiling this blog!