Crisp air and golden leaves set the scene for fall in Newport County, where pumpkins brighten farm stands and the bay sparkles under autumn skies. Beyond the natural beauty, the season brims with festivals, flavorful traditions, and gatherings that bring the community together. Whether it’s the energy of a street fair, the taste of freshly shucked seafood, or a stroll through the pumpkin patch, autumn here offers experiences to savor. Here are some of the highlights that capture what makes life in Newport County so special.
Foodies’ Favorite Fall Event
Newport Festa Italiana
When: Friday, September 26 through Monday, October 13, 2025
Where: Various locations throughout Newport
Newport’s Festa Italiana has grown from a weekend event into a month-long celebration of Italian heritage. While the festival now includes a variety of activities, from cheese-making workshops to the Italian Heritage parade, the strong sense of community that has always defined the Festa remains the same, welcoming everyone to the table just like Nonna would.
33rd Annual Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival
When: Saturday, October 18 and Sunday, October 19, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Where: Bowen’s Wharf, Newport
Named one of the “10 Fabulous Fall Festivals on the Coast,” by Coastal Living Magazine, the Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival is the perfect way to return to the waterfront after the summer rush. Honoring the “Harvest of the Sea,” the festival serves up fresh, local seafood like fish tacos, lobster rolls, stuffies, and fried calamari, along with signature cocktails, cold beer, and sweet treats like frozen lemonade and kettle corn. You can enjoy your food at cafe-style seating throughout the Wharf while listening to continuous live music from local folk, surf rock, and blues bands. The festival is a celebration for the whole family, and proceeds from the event’s bars will benefit the Oliver Hazard Perry, Rhode Island’s official sailing education vessel.
Sweet Berry Farm: Apples & Pumpkin Picking
When: Open daily, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., May through December
Where: 915 Mitchell’s Lane, Middletown, RI
Ready for a classic fall day in New England? Head to Sweet Berry Farm in Middletown. This 100-acre farm is your go-to spot for pick-your-own fun, with a wide variety of apples and a pumpkin patch. You can pick your own fresh apples from late August to October, and find the perfect pumpkin starting in September. After filling your baskets, relax at the café with a farm-fresh lunch, then stop by the market to browse artisan cheeses, baked goods, and seasonal treats
Newport Vineyards: 30th Anniversary Tour & Tasting
When: Friday, October 17, 2025 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: 909 East Main Road, Middletown, RI
The vineyard at Newport Vineyards is especially stunning in the fall, with clusters of grapes hanging from the vines and the autumn light casting a warm glow over the rows. To celebrate their 30th anniversary, the winery is offering a special behind-the-scenes harvest tour and tasting on Friday, October 17th. Guests will walk the vineyard with the owners and winemaker, see the harvest equipment up close, and hear stories about the winery’s history, farming practices, and the art of winemaking. The tour concludes with a guided tasting of their finest wines, thoughtfully paired with cheese and chocolate.
Open Air Markets & Annual Delights
Broadway Street Fair
When: Saturday, October 11, 2025 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Broadway in Newport
For the eighth year, Broadway comes alive with the annual Street Fair, a favorite fall tradition for many on Aquidneck Island. Last year, more than 15,000 people wandered the closed-off streets, enjoying everything from local music to handmade goods (and kettle corn!). The fair winds its way from Farewell Street to Washington Square, offering a relaxed afternoon of shopping, food, and entertainment. It’s a perfect chance to reconnect with neighbors, explore local artisans’ creations, and soak up the lively community spirit that makes Newport in the fall so special.
Bowen’s Wharf Sidewalk Sale
When: Friday, October 10th through Monday, October 13, 2025
Where: Bowen’s Wharf, Newport
Get ready for some great deals at the annual Columbus Day weekend sidewalk sale, sponsored by the Bowen’s Wharf Merchants Association. It’s the perfect opportunity to shop local and find incredible discounts on beautiful end-of-season items. Take a stroll along historic Bowen’s Wharf, browse the participating shops, and then stop for a delicious lunch at one of the many fantastic restaurants. Admission is free. For more information and a list of participating shops, check out Bowen’s Wharf Facebook page.
Fall Farmers’ Markets
Dates, times, and locations vary per market
To experience fall in New England, nothing beats a trip to one of our area’s farmers’ markets. Our favorites are the Aquidneck Growers’ Market and Tiverton Farmers’ Market. Both offer a family-friendly atmosphere and a wide selection of seasonal, locally grown, or handmade goods, each with its own unique offerings. Read our blog post Embrace the Harvest: Your Guide to Farm-to-Table Living in Rhode Island for more details.
Rogue Island Comedy Festival
When: Thursday, October 9 through Monday, October 13, 2025
Where: Various locations throughout Newport
One of the highlights of Newport’s fall calendar is the Rogue Island Comedy Festival, now in its 10th year. Thirteen shows take place across venues throughout the city, featuring a mix of local comedians and touring acts from around the country. It’s a fun way to spend an evening with friends, share some laughs, and experience a side of Newport that locals love.For a full schedule and details, visit: www.rogueislandcomedyfest.com
Fall-o-ween Favorites
Norman Bird Sanctuary Harvest Fair
When: Saturday, October 4 and Sunday, October 5, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Norman Bird Sanctuary, 583 Third Beach Road, Middletown, RI
Fall wouldn’t be complete without the Harvest Fair, now in its 51st year. It’s a weekend full of classic New England fun: sack races, the Home & Garden Competition, the Crafter’s Tent, and live music that fills the air. Families, friends, and neighbors come together to celebrate the season, enjoy the outdoors, and soak up that cozy autumn feeling that keeps everyone coming back year after year.
Fall Harbor Cruises
Where: 2 Bowen’s Landing, Newport
Gansett Cruises offers a variety of relaxing tours that allow you to take in the scenery of Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay’s East Passage. While on board, you can enjoy a complimentary Del’s Lemonade (a Rhode Island specialty) and a cash bar, all while your guide shares the area’s rich history and legends. Our blog post “Set Sail Without Owning the Boat” offers more fall harbor cruise options that will get you on the water in style.
Newport Ghost Tours
When: Dates and times vary
Where: 25 America’s Cup Avenue, Newport
If you’re curious about Newport’s haunted side, the Olde Town Ghost Walk is a great way to experience it. This is the original walking ghost tour in town, and it weaves together the true stories and eerie legends that have lingered here for more than 385 years. You’ll stroll through some of the city’s oldest streets after dark, hear about the spirits said to still be around, and see a different side of Newport’s history. We’ve shared some of them in our blog post Ghost Stories from the City by the Sea
Trinity Church Pumpkin Patch
When: Thursday, October 10 through Thursday, October 31
Where: Queen Anne Square, Newport
When the pumpkins fill Queen Anne Square, you know fall is in the air! As if by magic, Queen Anne Square is transformed overnight into a sea of over a thousand pumpkins. From mid-October until Halloween, visitors can purchase pumpkins, gourds, and mums, along with a delightful selection of homemade baked goods and both warm and cold cider.
