This weekend, Newport Jazz Festival fills Fort Adams State Park and Brenton Cove with improv, syncopation, smooth notes, and all things jazz. Newport Jazz festival is three days of music on four stages from the intimate foundation stage by the water to the Fort Stage backed up against Fort Adams with the cove and all the boats docked and taking in the scene at your back. While tickets are sold out there are a few waitlists. Here are a few things worth knowing before you go.
When and How to Arrive
When I went to Fort Adams State Park for Newport Folk Festival. I was impressed by how large the bike parking was and how full it was. Biking to Newport Jazz Festival is a great way to get in and out without being stuck in traffic. Jazz Fest will not have separated bike lanes, but there are still some great options for biking.
If biking is not for you, there is pre-paid parking at the Fort. Plan for traffic heading in and out as there are many cars traveling on few roads. Parking opens at 8 a.m.. Gates to the festival open at 10 a.m. and music begins at 11:00 a.m.
To avoid traffic, you can also take the harbor shuttle. It is a 15 minute ride from Perotti Park to Fort Adams and you can find details here. The shuttle runs from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and go every 15 minutes. Round trip tickets for adults are $20. There is also the Festival Express shuttle which runs from Anne Street Pier and is $35 return per adult. Tickets are booked by specific times and can be purchased here. There is also a shuttle from Providence with complimentary on site parking that goes from Providence to Seastreak Ferry Terminal in Newport, RI and tickets are $24 return.
Newport Jazz Festival is meant to be as accessible as possible, for more details on accessibility and special needs while at the festival, you can find the details here.
What To Bring
Arriving prepared makes any festival so much better. To get the most out of Newport Jazz Festival, here are some things to consider bringing with you. Be sure to check the FAQ to make sure you are allowed to bring the things you plan on because for example your bag must be 20” x 20” x 10” or smaller, no glass containers, and chairs over 34″ high, recliners and chairs with foot rests are prohibited.
Friday, will be a little rainy, with weather clearing by the time the music starts. Umbrellas are allowed but must be closed during the concerts. Wear shoes that can handle a little bit of muddy soil, and come prepared with some waterproof layers for wearing and sitting on. Saturday and Sunday the sun returns so bring your sunscreen. Blankets must be 6’x8’ or smaller. Bring an empty water bottle to refill at the water stations so you can remain well hydrated all weekend. If you have prescription medication just make sure that you have your id and it matches the name on the bottle.
Kindness is the first thing listed on what to bring. Every time I have been to the Fort for a festival, there has been such a nice sense of community. It is a time to see some of your favourite artists and discover new ones. Downloading the app is a great way to keep track of the schedule and any last minute artist or set time changes. You can find the lineup schedule here.
Discover
You are likely at the Newport Jazz Festival specifically for a handful of artists you know and love. Use those as the foundation for your time at the festival, but it is also an opportunity to discover new artists to love. Whether you are a planner like me, and listen to every band before heading out to the Newport Jazz Fest or you just wander from stage to stage and see what draws you in, you are bound to find someone new who connects with you on some level. You can also check out Newport Sessions videos with interviews, performances and conversations.
In between sets there are plenty of craft vendors to visit.
- ADORNED BY V
- ANNI MALIKI
- ARCWOOD JEWELRY
- ART BY DOUBLE EXPOSURE
- ARTISTEDWINLESTER
- AZIZ FASHIONS
- CHARTER BOOKS
- COPA AZUL
- DAVE RUSSO ART
- EARTH REVERIE
- ERICA ZAP DESIGNS
- FATIMA’S SILVER CREATIONS
- FIGS & GINGER STUDIOS
- FUNKY STUFF
- GEORGIA MARIE DESIGNS
- HENNA BY MICHELLE
- HOT FLUFF
- JULO POTTERY CO
- KABYCO
- LAZULI
- LOC SOC
- NOHEMM
- RA HA JEWELRY
- RHODE ISLAND REEF
- SALT SLIP POTTERY
- SUZETTE ART COUTURE
- THE CYPRUS CABINET
- TOMMY CONCH DESIGNS
- TOUCAN HATS
Fort Food to Keep You Well Fed
Dining options at Newport Jazz Festival come from some favourite places all around New England. Whatever you are craving, you will likely be able to satisfy it and try something you didn’t know you needed.
- A MANO PIZZA & GELATO
- BEEHIVE CAFE
- BEN & JERRY’S
- BINGE BBQ
- CLYDE’S CUPCAKES
- CROOKED STICK POPS
- DEL’S LEMONADE
- FANCHEEZICAL
- FORT ADAMS CONCESSIONS: BURGERS, HOT DOGS, CHICKEN SANDWICHES, & FRIES
- FULLY ROOTED KOMBUCHA
- GANSETT WRAPS
- HOMETOWN POKE
- JA PATTY
- JAJU PIEROGI
- LITTLE FISH TACOS & CEVICHE
- THAI JASMINE
- THE BURGUNDIAN
- THE POTATO CABOOSE
- TIMI’S GREEK GYROS
- TWIN BEAKS FRIED CHICKEN
See you at the Fort!
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