Rhode Island Events Calendar

From the historic charm and bustling streets of Providence to the sandy beaches of South County, Rhode Island is a diverse state that has something for everyone.

There are many exciting things to see and do in Rhode Island this month and all throughout the year.

Below is a list of some annual events that are taking place throughout the state. To learn more about what is happening in the Ocean State this week, please click here and enjoy all that Rhode Island has to offer.

JANUARY

Providence Boat Show - Providence

Held at the Convention Center and the Dunkin' Donuts Center, this exciting annual boat show attracts thousands of visitors and features everything from power boats and sailboats to electronic navigational systems and fishing gear.

FEBRUARY

Newport Winter Festival - Newport

With over one hundred and fifty individual events, the Winter Festival is held in picturesque and historic Newport and has become "New England's largest winter extravaganza."

R.I. Spring Flower and Garden Show-Providence

A profusion of stunning, colorful flowers artfully arranged to inspire thoughts of sun and summer, the Spring Flower and Garden Show in Providence is a great chance for people to get excited for the upcoming spring and summer in the Ocean State.

MARCH

St. Patrick's Day Celebrations- Statewide

With parades and events in many towns and cities across the state, there are lots of great events celebrating Irish culture in Rhode Island.

APRIL

Daffodil Days Spring Display - Bristol

Over 50,000 daffodils in gardens and along woodland paths of Blithewold Mansion beckon to be smelled and photographed. Inside, the mansion is decorated with floral arrangements filled with many varieties of local springtime flowers.

MAY

May Breakfasts - Statewide

The May Breakfast tradition began in 1867 at the Old Quaker Meeting House. Mrs. Ruby King Wilbur originated the event to raise funds for a new building, borrowing the idea from the English May Day celebration. While May Breakfasts are unique to Rhode Island, May Day celebrations have been traced back to the Florala of ancient Rome. These events are found in towns across the state.

Virtu Art Festival - Westerly

More than 150 artists from New England and beyond gather to showcase their works of visual and performing arts. There is great food, live entertainment, and a free creation station with children's activities.

Gaspee Days - Cranston and Warwick

In June of 1772, Rhode Island patriots fired the first the first shots of the American Revolution against the British schooner Gaspée. Today Rhode Islanders all over the state mark this historical occasion with events ranging from road races to parades.

JUNE

Block Island Race Week - Block Island

The Nature Conservancy has called Block Island "one of the last great places on Earth" and this regatta which draws hundreds of boast each year is one of Rhode Island's great traditions.

Newport Flower Show - Newport

This is a unique opportunity to view and enjoy gorgeous floral designs, garden lectures, and horticultural demonstrations in a very special location, the beautiful and historical Newport mansions. The Newport Flower Show offers a special chance to enjoy the outdoors in a gorgeous environment on the water surrounded by lush gardens.

Newport International Film Festival - Newport

Annually attracting over 10,000 filmmakers, celebrities, journalists, and film enthusiasts of all kinds, the Newport International Film Festival has developed into one of the most important regional film festivals in America.

R.I. National Guard Open House and Airshow - North Kingstown

This is a great chance to take the kids to something that you might enjoy too! The RI National Guard showcases some of its military equipment and demonstrates the flight capabilities of many of their aircraft, such as USAF Thunderbirds. The event is free and fun for kids of all ages.

Schweppes Great Chowder Cook-Off - Newport

The annual Schweppes Great Chowder Cook-off features thousands of gallons of chowder served up by some of the nation's best restaurants and chefs! A delicious competition that lets you sample some of the best clam, seafood and creative chowder in the world. And be sure to save room for the Clam Cake Competition!

Summer Pops - Westerly

Enjoy an evening of classical music with a Grucci fireworks display. More than 25,000 spectators turn out for this free, family-oriented event that lets you enjoy music and the great outdoors.

JULY

Bristol Civic, Military and Fireman's Parade - Bristol

Established in 1785 this is the nation's oldest Fourth of July parade. Attracting thousands of visitors, marchers, dozens of floats, bands and military units, this salute to our nation's independence is a must for all Americans.

Campbell's Hall of Fame Tennis Championship - Newport

Thirty two of the world's top men's professional tennis players gather each year in Newport to compete in the Hall of Fame Tennis Championship. This is the only ATP event held on grass in North America and is the first tournament held in the United States after the Wimbledon fortnight.

The Newport Music Festival - Newport

Over one hundred and twenty artists and ensembles have made their American debuts at The Newport Music Festival. Come enjoy chamber music programs, world-class artists and special events in the Gilded Age "summer cottages" of Newport.

Newport Regatta - Newport

Attend New England's premiere regatta for two days of exciting racing with over 300 participating boats on scenic and spectacular Narragansett Bay.

Colonial Theatre Shakespeare Festival - Westerly

The "Official Shakespeare Festival of Rhode Island," this popular event draws 20,000 to 25,000 adults and children each year to historic Wilcox Park in downtown Westerly to see Shakespeare in the park.

South County Hot Air Balloon Festival - South Kingstown

Take to the air. Look to the sky as balloons, kites, ultralites, and model airplanes are exhibited in this airy festival featuring crafts, food, and antique cars.

Wickford Art Festival - North Kingstown

Join the annual crowd of over 95,000 people attending this two-day festival, which is devoted to fine art, photography and three-dimensional art from more than 250 artists from around the country.

AUGUST

Dunkin' Donuts Newport Folk Fest - Newport

Bob Dylan made history when he played his electric guitar at the Newport Festival in July of 1965. Folk and rock music have never been the same. Today, you can enjoy two days of great music at Fort Adams State Park, right on the water in beautiful Newport.

Charlestown Chamber Seafood Festival - Charlestown

Head to Charlestown for an extravaganza of Rhode Island's delicious seafood, lobsters, chowder, clam cakes, corn on the cob and a raw bar as well as an array of foods for every taste.

Newport JVC Jazz Festival - Newport

Recognized as the first outdoor jazz festival in the United States, the Newport Jazz Festival is universally recognized as the "grandfather of all jazz festivals," annually bringing together some of the best talent in jazz from the past, present and future.

RI International Film Festival - Providence

Rhode Island International Film Festival has become a leading juried competition showcase for international independent filmmakers and their work. Drawing annual crowds of over 19,000 people, the RIIFF is one of the premiere film festivals in New England.

Washington County Fair - Richmond

Fun for the whole family! As Rhode Island's largest agricultural event, the Washington County fair is a five day fair that includes performances by today's country music stars, a giant midway, an all new Kiddy Land area, fireworks, and much, much more.

SEPTEMBER

Newport International Boat Show - Newport

Multiple waterfront facilities along America's Cup Avenue and Thames Street in Newport feature new sailboats and powerboats as well as thousands of products and services from both domestic and international exhibitors.

Pawtucket Festival of the Arts - Pawtucket

The Pawtucket Arts Festival presents high-quality visual, performance and participatory events every year by local, national and internationally-known artists.

Rhythm and Roots Festival - Charlestown

Come to New England's Hottest Festival of Roots Music and Dance, also featuring ethnic and regional foods, clothing and crafts as well as on-site camping, swimming and biking.

OCTOBER

Autumnfest - Woonsocket

Celebrate all things autumn in the World War II Memorial Park in Woonsocket with free food, a gigantic midway, fireworks, sporting events, arts and crafts, a beer garden and a parade.

NBC 10 Oktoberfest - Newport

Come to this authentic German festival featuring lively Bavarian music, German food, Alpenblumen dancers, biergarten, weingarten, German marketplace, om-pah-pah bands, and more!

Scituate Art Festival - Scituate

Each year this much-anticipated event draws close to three hundred exhibitors from all over the United States and Canada. Visitors can stroll through the beautiful Village Green and take in some of the most unique varieties of art, craft, sculpture and antiques.

WaterFire - Providence

Barnaby Evans' award winning fire sculpture installation on the three rivers in downtown Providence has been praised by Rhode Island residents and international visitors alike as a powerful work of art and a moving symbol of Providence's renaissance. WaterFire centers on a series of 100 bonfires that blaze just above the surface of the three rivers that pass through the middle of downtown Providence, an eclectic assortment of music helps set the mood.

NOVEMBER

5K Turkey Trot - Block Island

Work off that big Thanksgiving meal by walking or running this 5K road race. The course consists of rolling black-top roads and start and finishes at the Fred Benson Town Beach.

DECEMBER

Holiday Celebrations - Statewide

Whether you see the spectacular holiday decorations at the Newport Mansions, bring the family ice skating in downtown Providence or chop down a Christmas tree at one of the state's many tree farms, the winter holidays in Rhode Island are filled with fun and excitement.

New Year's Celebrations - Statewide

After celebrating the New Year anywhere in Rhode Island, be sure to make your way to Easton's Beach in Newport to watch the annual Polar Bear Plunge, where the Polar Bear Club takes its first swim to benefit charity.