SUMMER’S BEST BETS

From concerts to garden tours, festivals to fireworks, your essential source for planning a season of fun

BY ELYSE MAJOR

Living in New England means we’re all pretty patriotic by proxy with tangible links to the past all around. You can still eat dinner in the oldest tavern in America (the White Horse Tavern in Newport), attend the nation’s longest running Fourth of July celebration in Bristol, and swig a beer on the site where George Washington crossed Conanicut Island at The General’s Crossing in Jamestown. When it comes to making much ado about Independence Day and summer, the East Bay knows a thing or two, and activities from rowdy to reserved abound all season long across every coastal city and town. In this useful hand-held guide (no outlet required), you’ll find info gathered from myriad sources to help you plan a summer for the history books.

JULY 4

FIREWORKS: Newport Harbor is the setting for fireworks, and best bets for viewing the spectacle include finding a westward facing spot along the harbor, along with Perrotti Park, King Park, and Queen Anne Square – or reserve a seat on the Coastal Queen and watch from the water (CoastalQueenCruises.com) departing from Jamestown. Display is set to begin at 9:15pm, rain date July 5. DiscoverNewport.org

FOURTH OF JULY PARADE: Follow the red, white, and blue-striped roads for the ultimate patriotic display in the oldest July 4th parade in the nation. See our Field Guide to Bristol’s Fourth for more activites!

FOURTH OF JULY PICNIC: Linden Place has assembled a day of fancy fun, including bleacher parade seating, a continental breakfast, and picnic lunch. Bristol, LindenPlace.org

JULY 4-23

NEWPORT CLASSICAL MUSIC FESTIVAL: From opera to chamber music, this year’s event promises an impressive lineup of acclaimed musicians from far and wide. NewportClassical.org

JULY 7-9

NEWPORT SECRET GARDEN TOURS: Stroll through some of the city’s most prestigious –and normally private – outdoor spaces. Newport, SecretGardenTours.org

JULY 15-16 AND AUGUST 19-20

SOUTH COAST OPEN STUDIO TOUR: Get peeks at the process on self-guided tours of where artists of various mediums create, all across the East Bay and southern Massachusetts. Various locations, SouthCoastArtists.org

JULY 16-23

HALL OF FAME OPEN: Once Wimbledon wraps up, you can still get your tennis fix as ATP World Tour pros contest on the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s historic grass courts. Newport, HallOfFameOpen.com

JULY 20-21

JAWS SUMMER PARTY: This annual party typically has live music, beer tasting, merch, and swag. The fun starts at 6:30pm, followed by a movie screening at 7:30pm. Newport, JanePickens.com, Find more on page 36.

JULY 21

SUITCASE JUNKET: The Norman Bird Sanctuary hosts singer-songwriter Matt Lorenz, a one-man garage band who carries all he needs for live shows in his suitcase. Middletown, NewportLive.org

JULY 28-30

THE NEWPORT FOLK FESTIVAL: This year’s lineup of the iconic festival includes John Oates, Aimee Mann, and Jason Isbell, along with rising stars ready to make their mark in the music world. NewportFolk.org

JULY 29-30

THE NEWPORT SHOW: New England’s premier fine art and antiques event raises funds for the Newport Historical Society and Boys & Girls Clubs of Newport County. Middletown, BGCNewport.org

AUGUST 4-6

NEWPORT JAZZ FESTIVAL: Dozens of jazz legends including Herbie Hancock, Diana Krall, and Thundercat grace the stages at Fort Adams State Park at this OG music event established in 1954. NewportJazz.org

AUGUST 11-13

BLACK SHIPS FESTIVAL: The Japan America Society of Rhode Island hosts the 40th annual celebration of the friendship and culture between our two nations with arts and crafts, Taiko drumming, and martial arts. Bristol and Newport, BlackShipsFestival.com

AUGUST 19

WARREN FOLKS FEST: Live music and food are front and center at The Collaborative’s popular annual fundraiser. Warren, TheCollaborative02885.org

AUGUST 25-27

CLASSIC YACHT REGATTA: A prelim schedule for the Golden Jubilee includes a Living Boat show, cocktails, dinner, and prizes. Bristol, Herreshoff.org

AUGUST 31

NEWPORT LIVE SUMMER MUSIC SERIES: Leading folk musicians John Gorka and Antje Duvekot will perform at the Norman Bird Sanctuary. Middletown, NewportLive.org

MONDAYS

AQUIDNECK GROWERS MARKET: Start the week off fresh with produce at Miantonomi Park. All markets feature an ever-changing roster of local artisans and food businesses. July 10-August 28. Newport, AquidneckCommunityTable.org

WEDNESDAYS

OUTDOOR MARKETS: Plan dinner around fresh ingredients by stopping by the Aquidneck Growers Market on Memorial Boulevard in Newport (2-6pm), or the Hope & Main Schoolyard at 691 Main Street in Warren (4-7pm). FarmFreshRI.org

MUSIC AT SUNSET: Take in the lush gardens, bay views, and live music at the Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum for their weekly summer concert series through September. Bristol, Blithewold.org

SUNDAYS

BARRINGTON SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: Neal & the Vipers, Blue FO’s, and Brass Attack are among the lineup planned for this year’s free family series at Latham Park. Macs Screaming Corn and Tacos truck will be at some of the concerts. Barrington.RI.gov

TIVERTON FARMERS MARKET: The popular market is back outdoors, held Sundays at the Tiverton Town Farm Recreation Area on Main Road. Vendors include everything from linens to fresh fish! TivertonFarmersMarket.com

NATURE WALKS: Join a naturalist and explore the Norman Bird Sanctuary trails during a guided walk of spotting native species and identifying plants. Middletown, NormanBirdSanctuary.org

THURSDAYS

ART NIGHT BRISTOL/WARREN: Walk or ride your bike from one gallery and studio to the next. This evening event is the perfect way to explore the wealth of art the area has to offer on the last Thursdays of the month through August. Bristol and Warren, ArtNightBristolWarren.org

NEWPORTFILM OUTDOORS: Enjoy the shared experience of cinema outdoors on big screens set against the night sky at locations throughout Newport. NewportFilm.com

FRIDAYS

THE KITCHEN AT BLITHEWOLD: On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays (11am-1pm), sit back and enjoy the scenic overlook from the northwest porch while enjoying a meal with produce grown on the estate’s vegetable garden. Bristol, Blithewold.org

SATURDAYS

FREE FAMILY FUN DAYS: The Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium is free to the public the first Saturday of every month for nature stories, animal discoveries, hikes, and more. Bristol, ASRI.org

FARMERS MARKETS: Set the alarm to shop fresh local produce and various goods in Bristol at Mount Hope Farm Farmers Market, and Aquidneck Growers Market at Embrace Home Loans in Middletown. FarmFreshRI.org/RISummer

NEWPORT POLO: One of the great Aquidneck Island traditions, Newport Polo invites spectators to watch international teams gallop to victory at Glen Farm. Attire is Newport casual chic and keep the stilettos at home. Portsmouth, NPTPolo.com