With a nickname like the Ocean State, you know that Rhode Islanders love to celebrate the water—and everything on, in or near it. And there’s no better way to do so than a fantastic festival, where everyone can get together and show their appreciation for all that the Ocean State has to offer. Here are our favorite outdoor festivals in Rhode Island.
For around half a century, the Narragansett Lions Club has hosted its annual Blessing of the Fleet Festival. It all kicks off with a seafood festival that showcases the bounties of New England’s waters, along with live music and a beer (and wine) tent. You can run off all that bounty the next day in the annual 10-mile—that’s miles, not kilometers—road race. Then board your vessel and decorate it as festively as you can—it’s a contest with prizes, you know—and line up behind the lead vessel to be blessed. All boats are welcome.
If you find that your stomach tends grumble near the beginning of every August, it’s probably because it knows the Charlestown Seafood Festival is on the horizon. All sorts of fantastic seafood—from chowder and lobster rolls to clam cakes and a raw bar—will be on hand for your mouthwatering experience. You can alternate your eating and drinking with activities like karaoke, rock wall climbing, bungee jumping and kayaking. The Nordic, Washington Trust, Stagecoach House Inn, and The Westerly Sun are among the sponsors.
The Newport Craft Brew Race is a very simple, yet incredibly effective concept. You run a 5k, work up a thirst, and then end up at a beer festival that features the best of local craft beers and spirits from folks like Newport Craft Brewing and Distilling, Ragged Island Brewing Company, GreySail Brewing and Champlain Orchards Cidery. Live music and food trucks will also be oh hand to feed your tummy and your soul.
The Chinese Dragon Boat Races and Taiwan Day Festival features paddling in Taiwanese-style dragon boats—join a team or form your own—as well as music, crafts, food, all sorts of interactive activities and a dumpling eating contest. Come for the races, stay for the fun. This exciting event is made possible this year by sponsors like Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, China Inn, Pawtucket, Pawtucket Arts Festival.
Autumnfest is a great way to celebrate the changing of the seasons in the Ocean State. You’ll find a parade, fireworks, food vendors, a beer tent and all sorts of live entertainment. Looking for something a little more active? Get in on the dodgeball tournament or grab a rope and dig in for Mega War, the biggest tug o’ war event in New England. Landmark Medical Center, Rhode Island State Senate, Soucy Insurance Agency, and a bunch of other amazing organizations make Autumnfest possible.
The Surftown Half Marathon and Beach Party is an awesome way to take in the Rhode Island Shoreline and the chill on the beach with good people, food and drink. If you’re not feeling like running a full 13.1, there is an alternative 5K beach run or you can do the half-marathon as a two-person relay. Live entertainment, fresh food from folks like Bakery on Main and sports massages will be on hand at the beach party. Other partners of the festival include The Misquamicut Business Association and Powerstation Events.
If you’ve ever longed to march through the public streets of Rhode Island, costumed as your favorite sea creature, then the New England Quahog Festival and Sea Creature Parade is the event for you. There will also be awesome seafood, live music, a beer garden with fine beverages from the likes of Whalers Brewing Company, a Race with the Quahogs water relay competition, and kayak/paddleboard races. North Kingstown Arts Council, McKay’s Furniture, and Centreville Bank are some of this year’s sponsors.
Hit the road (or singletrack) on bike and on foot at the TRIMOM Rhode Island Duathlon Festival in Charlestown. Choose between a sprint road course, a mountain bike ride, or a shorter youth/family course that takes place all inside the protected roads of the campground. The races can even be done as a two or three-person relay. Then enjoy food, beverages, camping and camaraderie after the races.
This event is ideal for those who love craft beers and admiring animals. Roger Williams Park Zoo & Carousel Village in Providence holds this annual event for adults who are seeking a fun night at the zoo! Enjoy a wide variety of beers at this festival; somewhere around 170 different kinds from over 80 of the region's most brilliant breweries. Along with the exciting beer, food, and live music, expect to encounter some of your favorite creatures and critters as you stroll through the zoo. This is an event you won't want to miss! This year's event is set to be a hit thanks to this year's sponsors such as Ivory Ella, Twin River Casino, R1 Indoor Karting, and many more.
