To avoid summer heartbreak, please always check all information with host venues.
RiverFire: From July 11-August 8, special basins along the Saugatucket River are set ablaze, lighting up Wakefield, with street performers, vendors, and entertainment on hand. WakefieldVillageAssociation.com
Summer Concert Series: Get the weekend vibes rolling with outdoor music starting July 6, witha range of different bands at The Village at South County Commons. South Kingstown, SouthCountyCommons.com
Narragansett Gazebo Concert Series: Enjoy live music evenings June 7-August 30 in the heart of the pier across from Narragansett Town Beach. The list of concerts includes blues, classic jazz, R&B, and tribute acts. NarragansettRI.gov
Summer Stargazing Nights: Hosted by the Astronomers of the Frosty Drew Observatory, witness all the wonders of space. Go early for a chance at seeing sunspots before nightfall, or stay late to see the beautiful night sky. Charlestown, FrostyDrew.org
Spring Open Studios Tour: Peruse the wares of 40+ artists housed in a scenic riverside mill. Classes in rug hooking, painting, and pottery will be offered. Donations of non-perishable food items are appreciated. North Kingstown, TheMillAtShadyLea.com
North Kingstown Pride Parade: The popular event returns for year two, with an expanded route and celebration at the end. The parade steps off at Wickford Town Dock at 1pm. WickfordVillage.org
Sea Glass Festival: Admirers of ocean-themed creations – this vendor market held at Misquamicut Beach at the Windjammer Surf Bar is for you. Westerly, Eventbrite: Sea Glass Festival
Charity Golf Tournament: Richmond Country Club plays host for the ninth annual fundraiser by The Elmhurst Boys. Tickets include a golf cart, lunch, dinner, gift bag, and more. Scramble format. Dinner-only tickets available, too. Hope Valley, Eventbrite: 9th Annual Elmhurst Boys Charity Golf Tournament
Strawberry Thanksgiving: A day of dancing, music, shopping, and food await at this Tomaquag Museum celebration of the Strawberry Moon held at Ninigret Park. Charlestown, TomaquagMuseum.org
Charity Golf Tournament: The Brad Friel Memorial Golf Classic is scramble-format with a full day that starts with check-in and lunch, followed by a raw bar and prime dinner, raffles, and awards after golf. Hope Valley, CharihoRotary.com
Father’s Day Cocktail Cruise: Treat dad to an evening of sights and sips on his special day. A weatherproof main deck and covered top deck keeps all comfy and cozy. Departs Newport. CoastalQueenCruises.com
Strawberry Festival: Along with Smith’s Castle’s famous strawberry shortcake, activities planned to celebrate the mighty berry include everything from puppets to pony rides. Jesse Liam Band provides the music. North Kingstown, SmithsCastle.org
Summer Pops: This free concert performed by the Chorus of Westerly includes classical masterworks and popular music for chorus and full orchestra. Pro-tip: visit website for parking tips and notes about reserving a spot. ChorusOfWesterly.org
Narragansett Art Festival: Peruse a range of work for sale at both the traditional show location beside the Towers and also Gazebo Field behind the post office. Narragansett, WakefieldRotary.org
Summer Soirée: The primary fundraiser for the Jamestown Arts Center, the evening serves as the opening of the Pivot exhibition, with cocktails, summer savories, a live auction, and dancing. JamestownArtCenter.org
Independence Day Lobster Boil: Enjoy a picturesque dinner by the pond at the backlawn of Weekapaug Inn. Steamed lobsters, traditional sides, and BBQ classics pregame a night of fireworks and s’mores. Westerly, OceanHouseEvents.com
Summer Pops: “Our State: A Rhode Island Celebration” is this year’s theme, conducted by Troy Quinn. “A George M. Cohan Overture” – an homage to PVD’s own lyricist – kicks off the night at North Beach Clubhouse. Narragansett, RIPhil.org
Wickford Art Festival: Wilcox Park is where over 200 artists display and sell their handiwork. From prints to plein air, there is something for everyone at a variety of price points, plus no state sales tax on original and limited edition works of art sold in RI! WickfordArt.org
Shakespeare in the Park: The Colonial Theatre stages John Buchan’s The 39 Steps, the award-winning comedic send-up of the classic Hitchcock film. Over 150 characters played by a cast of four are sure to entertain. Westerly, ColonialTheaterArt.org
Kingston Chamber Music Festival: URI’s Edwards Hall hosts six concerts over two weeks, programmed by artistic director Natalie Zhu. KingstonChamberMusic.org
Blessing of the Fleet Celebration:
Once a single-day event, launched in 1972, today the fest attended by nearly 30K people has live music, a beer tent, games, rides, a 10-mile road race, boat decoration contest, and of course, the blessing. NarragansettLionsClub.org
Charlestown Seafood Festival:
One of the biggest events in New England boasts Rhody’s best seafood, plus amusement rides, midway entertainment (aerial performers, bands), a rock wall, vendors, RI camping, and more! CharlestownSeafoodFestival.com
River Glow: Floating bonfires illuminate the Pawcatuck River, setting the mood for an evening of shopping specials, performances, face painting, and more. Westerly, OceanChamber.org
Washington County Fair: Mark your calendars for updates on midway rides, livestock shows, tractor pulls, and everything else that makes this event full of down-home fun. Richmond, WashingtonCountyFair-RI.com
Rhythm & Roots: Emmylou Harris and Old Crow Medicine Show headline this extravaganza that features a roster of acts – and 1,500 camping tickets for those planning to make a weekend out of it. Merch, food, and drinks for sale are all part of the fun. Charlestown, RhythmAndRoots.com
From St. Patrick’s Day in June, to Christmas in July, to a 1920s New Year’s Eve Party on Labor Day weekend and many days in between, Champlin’s Resort and Marina has holiday vibes going on. BlockIslandInfo.com
ConserFest: A full day of music, food, beverages, vendors, and spectacular views awaits at this year’s concert featuring two stages of New England talent and a mission to #embraceyourplace. ConserFest.org
Fourth of July Parade: “Time Travel – Our History and Our Future” is the theme for this year’s parade. A small committee will judge the parade and award prizes. BlockIsland4th.com
Great Salt Pond Swim-9: This annual fundraiser to protect the pond is a one-mile swim limited to 150 individuals in a protected area without much chop. It begins and ends at Andy’s Way Beach. CGSPBlockIsland.org
Block Island Triathlon: A quarter-mile open-water ocean swim, 12 miles of biking, and a four-mile run on Crescent Beach are all part of BI’s largest and most popular race. Important details include mandatory helmets, bike ferry tickets, and more. Active.com/Block-Island-RI
Block Island Arts and Artisans Festival: Visitors are sure to find unique island treasures as artisans display their handmade pieces, paintings, photography, and more at this open-air event held on the grounds of the Narragansett Inn. Facebook: Block Island Arts and Artisans Festival
The Summer Symphony: The Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra will perform under the tent at Champlin’s. Mocktails, cocktails, and hors d’oeuvres are part of the special evening (formerly held at The Sullivan House). Eventbrite: The Summer Symphony
Burbage Theatre Company
Pawtucket
Contemporary Theater Company
Wakefield
Courthouse Center for the Arts
West Kingston
The Gamm Theatre
Warwick
Granite Theatre
Westerly
The Greenwich Odeum
East Greenwich
Providence Performing Arts Center
Rhode Island State Ensemble
Burrillville
Teatro ECAS Theater
Providence
Theatre By The Sea
Wakefield
Trinity Repertory Company
Providence
Stadium Theatre
Woonsocket
The United Theatre
Westerly
The Wilbury Theatre Group
Providence
Ideas for making the best – and most – out of a trip across the Seekonk River
Plan Ahead:
Check navigation apps for expected and real-time delays when planning, and opt to take the Henderson Bridge or Newport Bridge when it makes sense.
Ride Share:
Don’t go alone! Traffic is more fun when you’re carpooling with your besties. Queue up your favorite podcast or playlist, and belt out tunes like no one’s watching.
Pedal Power:
The East Bay Bike Path offers easy access to Riverside Square, connecting cyclists to Barrington, Warren, and Bristol, with India Point on the East Side only about 15 minutes away.
All About Timing:
Aim for mid-day when possible, when delays are less than 10 minutes.
Pack Snacks:
Grab coffee before you go, and on your way out, stop by one of EP’s many cafes or bakeries for a sweet snack on the ride back.
Spend the Night:
Make it an overnight of it by securing a place to stay. Ask for special mid-week and RI resident deals.
Throughout the month of June, communities and organizations around the state plan activities to celebrate the voices and culture of LGBTQIA+ people through parades, flag-raising ceremonies, performances, and more. Held in June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Inn riots in New York City, events are all about making youth and adults feel safe, welcome, appreciated, and seen.
June 1: East Providence Pride Celebration | EastProvidenceRI.gov
June 1: West Warwick Pride | Facebook: West Warwick Pride
June 2: North Kingstown Pride Parade | TANKRI.org
June 3: Pawtucket Pride | TourBlackstone.com
June 7: Big Pride Flea | ProvidenceFlea.com
June 9: Woonsocket Pride | @woonsocketpride
June 15: Rhode Island PrideFest & Illuminated Night Parade | PrideRI.org
June 22: South County Pride | SouthCountyPride.org
June 29: East Greenwich Pride Celebration & Picnic | Facebook: EG Pride Celebration & Picnic
June 28-30: Newport Pride Weekend | NewportPrideRI.org
Little Compton: TBA
September 12-14: Queer Block Island | QueerBlockIsland.com
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