Newport’s calendar from August 18 through 24 delivers a full slate of cruises, concerts, outdoor markets, and heritage events. Whether you prefer a wine glass in hand on the water, live music on historic lawns, or a secret-venue bike adventure, the days ahead invite you to explore the City by the Sea at every tempo.
Monday • August 18
Wine and Cheese Sail
Schooner Aurora starts the week with a two-hour evening cruise through Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay. Guests 21 and older may bring a favorite bottle while the crew serves a gourmet spread of cheeses, crackers, and fruit. Seats are $55 and advance booking is required.
• Sail time 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM in August, shifting to 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM in September
• Adults only, limited capacity
Click here to learn more
Tuesday • August 19
Larry Brown Swinglane Orchestra on Redwood Lawn
Redwood Library’s lawn comes alive with a nineteen-piece big band led by Don Chilton. Vocalists Jimmy Winters and Carroll Venable move from Glenn Miller and Ella Fitzgerald standards to James Brown and Bruno Mars favorites. Admission is free; register online to save a spot.
• Music runs 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Click here to learn more
Wine and Cheese Tasting Cruise
Coastal Queen teams with Grapes & Gourmet for a 90-minute tasting sail. Departing Jamestown at 6:30 PM, the cruise pairs curated wines with artisanal cheeses while guests relax in a weather-proof cabin or on a covered top deck. Tickets are $52.
• Seating is limited; advance purchase recommended
Click here to learn more
Wednesday • August 20
Rosé all Wednesday at OceanCliff
From noon to 8:00 PM, Adirondack chairs line the Safari Room lawn for Whispering Angel pours. Lite bites are offered until 4:00 PM, and sunset views of Narragansett Bay last well into the evening.
Click here to learn more
Lobster Lunch Sail
Aurora returns midday, serving boxed lunches—lobster roll, chicken salad, or caprese—on a two-hour harbor cruise. Adults sail for $55, children for $45, and BYOB is welcome.
• Departure 1:00 PM, return 3:00 PM
Click here to learn more
Aquidneck Growers Market
Memorial Boulevard fills with farm stands from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, offering produce, seafood, breads, cheese, flowers, and prepared foods. Entry is free, and purchases support a resilient island food system.
Click here to learn more
Music at the Fort
The Dope Things featuring Chelley Knight perform on Fort Adams’s North Lawn. Guests spread picnics, enjoy harbor breezes, and support fort preservation with a suggested $25 donation.
• Performance 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Click here to learn more
Fermentation Class at Forty 1° North
An instructor guides five themed wine tastings paired with five small bites in the Oval Bar. Class runs 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, costs $45, and often sells out.
Click here to learn more
Longing for a trip to Newport? Check out hotel availability here!
Thursday • August 21
International Tennis Hall of Fame Induction Celebration
From August 21 to 23, the Hall of Fame honors Maria Sharapova and Bob and Mike Bryan. The refreshed format blends mixed-doubles celebrity matches, fashion showcases at Marble House, live podcasts, food trucks, and art installations with the formal induction ceremony.
Click here to learn more
Salt and Sound DJ Pool Party
Newport Harbor Island Resort hosts a waterfront pool party from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM. Entry is free for guests and locals 21 plus, with cocktails and coastal bites available for purchase.
Click here to learn more
Friday • August 22
Black Ships Festival
Running August 22 through 25, the festival in Bristol and Newport celebrates US-Japan friendship with Taiko drumming, cultural markets, wreath ceremonies, sushi sails aboard Aurora, and a gala at Ochre Court. Many daytime activities are free; select sails and the gala require tickets.
Click here to learn more
Saturday • August 23
Yoga on the Grass
Start the morning with an all-levels class beside the International Tennis Hall of Fame grass courts from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM. Members pay $10, non-members $20, and mats are not provided.
Click here to learn more
Island Cemetery Guided Tour
A historian leads a 90-minute walk from 10:00 AM, sharing stories of military heroes, activists, architects, and financiers laid to rest among serene grounds and the restored Belmont Chapel.
Click here to learn more
10 Spot Ride 2025
From 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, cyclists follow QR-coded routes to ten secret venues, each offering bites, non-alcoholic sips, and live music. Ticket proceeds support Bike Newport education programs.
Click here to learn more
Salute to Summer Concert and Fireworks
Dewey Field opens at 4:00 PM for food trucks and live music celebrating the Navy’s 250th anniversary. Fireworks light the sky at 9:00 PM, and admission is free.
Click here to learn more
Newport International Polo Series
USA Newport meets a visiting rival at 5:00 PM with player salutes, a divot stomp, and après-polo lounge. Lawn seating is sold at the gate; reserved options are available online.
Click here to learn more
Fitz and the Tantrums Live at the Hall of Fame
The platinum indie pop group closes Induction Weekend with an outdoor concert at 8:00 PM. Tickets range from $50 to $110.
Click here to learn more
Sunday • August 24
Newport Vineyards Summer Music Series
From 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, live patio music accompanies $3 oysters and a $5 glass of rosé for oyster orders. Admission is free; food and drinks are available for purchase.
Click here to learn more
Choose your favorites, reserve your spots, and enjoy every flavor of Newport in late August.
