Summer Beach Bucket List: Southern RI

June 2023

Posted

 

JUNE

 

June 3

Independence Day Clambake: Pregame the Fourth at this family-friend fete at Weekapaug Inn. Steamed lobsters, BBQ, s’mores and more! Westerly, OceanHouseEvents.com

Open Studio: The Artist Studios at the Mill at Shady Lea open their spaces to the public, featuring works in all mediums, plus artist demonstrations. North Kingstown, TheMillAtShadyLea.com

 

June 9 & 23

Sand Bar & Bites: Climb aboard a motorboat shuttle to a remote beach on Quonochontaug Pond to enjoy the splendor of nature along with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, as part of Weekapaug’s Naturalist Series. Westerly, OceanHouseEvents.com

 

June 10

Charity Golf Tournament: The Elmhurst Boys host their tournament benefiting A Wish Come True at the Richmond Country Club, featuring longest drive and closest to the pin contests, gift bags, raffle prizes, and more. Richmond, TheElmhurstBoys.org

Strawberry Thanksgiving: Tomaquag Museum invites the community to enjoy basketry demonstrations by Indigenous artists, art and food vendors, and traditional drumming and dance, at the URI Quadrangle. Kingston, TomaquagMuseum.org

 

June 11

Sea Glass Festival: Swing by the Windjammer Surf Bar’s Mariner Room for ocean-themed artists and vendors. Stick around for lunch and live music at Misquamicut Beach’s favorite watering hole. Westerly, Eventbrite: Sea Glass Festival

 

June 15

Spring into Summer Fundraiser: Enjoy a relaxing evening at North Beach Clubhouse in Narragansett with mocktails, a buffet, live music, raffles, and silent and live auctions. TJ Del Santo, WPRI 12, serves as emcee at this inaugural fundraising event. Narragansett, PCRI.org

 

June 16

Brad Friel Memorial Golf Classic: Golfers will not want to miss this tourney filled with community and camaraderie, served up with lunch, a raw bar, prime rib dinner, and par for the course, golf and a cart! Hope Valley, CharihoRotary.com

 

June 18

Father’s Day Cocktail Cruise: Take dad on the water while enjoying a special cocktail (one included with ticket) on this special trek which departs from Wickford. CoastalQueenCruises.com

 

June 24

Strawberry Festival: This annual celebration features pony rides, a puppet show, colonial games and more, plus fresh strawberries and homemade strawberry shortcake are for sale. North Kingstown, SmithsCastle.org

Summer Pops Concert: Bring your lawn blanket to Wilcox Park for The Chorus of Westerly concert, featuring fireworks and canon blasts from the Artillery Company of Newport and fireworks by Grucci. ChorusOfWesterly.org

 

June 24-25

Gardening with the Masters: Join the University of Rhode Island Master Gardener Program for a statewide tour of their uniquely cultivated private gardens. Gain insight into environmentally conscious practices to bring home to your own backyard. Various locations, Web.URI.edu

Narragansett Art Festival: Local artists display their works in oil and acrylic paint, along with photography, jewelry, and sculpture beneath the Narragansett Towers, a sure sign of a Rhody summer now in its 40th year. Facebook: Narragansett Art Festival

Wickford in Bloom: Join Historic Wickford for the Wickford Historic Home and Garden Tour of stunning neighborhood gardens. Enjoy waterfront views, unique landscapes, and historic homes. Wickford, HistWick.org

 

June 29

SO Rhode Island Summer Bash: Join the staff of Hey Rhody as we celebrate our sister publication’s 15-year anniversary! There will be food trucks and live music at this dog-friendly event. 21+ after 5pm. SoRhodeIsland.com

 

June 30

Summer Soirée: Jamestown Arts Center’s annual fundraiser opens with a champagne pre-party and showcases the Book as Muse: Language & Image exhibition of artists with literary influences. JACSummerSoiree.org

 

JULY

 

July 1

Independence Day Beach Ball: Have a decadent 4th of July celebration at Ocean House, featuring passed canapés followed by a traditional New England lobster boil and BBQ fare. Fireworks cap the night. Watch Hill, OceanHouseEvents.com

 

July 8-9

Wickford Arts Festival: 200+ artists and crafters from across New England will assemble at Wilson Park to display their wares, just as they’ve done for 60 years. WickfordArt.org

 

July 14

Summer Pops 2023: The 46th annual Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra at Narragansett Beach has a tribute to conductor John Williams with music from Star Wars, Harry Potter and ET. NarragansettRI.gov

 

July 22 – August 13

Shakespeare in the Park: Enjoy The Tempest at Wilcox Park, a tradition going on year 35 presented by The Colonial Theatre. Westerly, ColonialTheaterArt.org

 

July 26 – August 6

Kingston Chamber Music Festival: Celebrating 35 years of established international musicians playing alongside up-and-coming young talent, the festival will showcase the music of Beethoven, Brahms, Schubert, and others, on select dates. South Kingstown, KingstonChamberMusic.org

 

July 27-29

Blessing of the Fleet Festival: What would an Ocean State summer be without this three-day event celebrating the sea? Day one is all about seafood, day two features a virtual 10-mile road race, and on day three, blessings are officially bestowed on the fleet. Narragansett, NarragansettLionsClub.org

 

AUGUST

 

August 4-6

Charlestown Seafood Festival: Eat lobster rolls and more to your stomach’s content in Ninigret Park. Stick around for rides, a car show, and a fireworks display on Saturday. CharlestownRIChamber.com

 

August 5

River Glow: Taking its torch from WaterFire, River Glow sets floating bonfires on the Pawcatuck River while performers keep things lively on land. Westerly, OceanChamber.org

 

August 16-20

The Washington County Fair: The fair returns for its 57th year of midway rides, livestock shows, tractor pulls, and everything else that makes this event full of down-home fun. Richmond, WashingtonCountyFair-RI.com

 

August 19-20

Art Shown on the Lawn: Enjoy works of art while sipping wine at Langworthy Farm Winery. Free admission with purchase of a tasting or glass of wine. Westerly, LangworthyFarm.com

 

Labor Day Weekend

Rhythm and Roots Festival: Let the good times roll when the annual festival returns to Ninigret State Park for some of the best in roots, rock, blues, and more. Charlestown, RhythmAndRoots.com

 

ALL SUMMER LONG

 

Contemporary Theater Company: Catch performances of Patio Musical: An Improvised Musical on the Patio select Wednesdays and Fridays; Shakespeare on the Saugatucket weekends in June and July; and RiverFire Cabaret Thursdays, plus their summer season of shows. Wakefield, ContemporaryTheaterCompany.com

Courthouse Comes Alive: Courthouse Center for the Arts has assembled a rollicking calendar of live acts that includes a drag show followed by tribute bands of all kinds of genres – from Lynyrd Skynyrd to Chicago.
West Kingston, CourthouseArts.org

Field of Artisans Markets: This roving marketplace combines art and antiques, ensuring that you can find something unique for your home! Catch them Sundays at The General’s Market and select Tuesdays at Whalers. Charlestown & Peace Dale, FieldOfArtisans.com

Food Trucks at The Beach: Skip packing a cooler and treat yourself to tacos, ice cream, and more served up by a fleet of food trucks, late afternoons at the beach. Mondays and Saturdays through September 1. NarragansettRI.gov

Granite Theatre: The summer theater season kicks off with The Girl on the Train, Guys and Dolls, and The Boys Next Door. Wakefield, GraniteTheatre.com

In the Kitchen/Cellar: The Center for Wine & Culinary Arts hosts a series of food and drink workshops including Pizza and Flatbreads, Mexican Appetizers, Summer BBQ favorites, and more. Tickets purchased are non-refundable. Watch Hill, OceanHouseEvents.com

Leyden Vineyard’s Wine Tasting: Sample up to five different Leyden Vineyard wines and learn about the origin and unique quality of each. Stroll the vineyard grounds and take home a keepsake wine glass. West Greenwich, Eventbrite: Leyden Farm Vineyard & Winery

Live Music at George’s of Galilee: Make any Friday, Saturday, and Sunday feel like a vacation by enjoying live music at this popular restaurant overlooking Block Island Sound. Schedule available online. Narragansett, GeorgesofGalilee.com

Misquamicut Drive-In: Skip the streaming, pack the car, and head to Wuskenau Town Beach to view blockbusters on the big outdoor screen. Vehicle too small? Camping chairs are permitted. Misquamicut, MBADriveIn.com

Summer Author Series: Enjoy panels with local authors chatting about their newly published work in the Seaside Ballroom. Various dates. Westerly, OceanHouseEvents.com

Theatre By The Sea: The popular summer theater returns with four musicals including My Way: A Musical Tribute To Frank Sinatra (May 24-June 11); Beautiful: The Carole King Musical ​(June 14-July 8); The Bodyguard (July 12 – August 5); and Jersey Boys (August 9 – September 10). Pro-tip: Make reservations at onside restaurant Bravo By The Sea. Wakefield, TheatreByTheSea.com

 

MONDAYS

 

Tunes on the Dunes: Starting July 5, chase away any Sunday Scaries with Monday Night Jams. The free concert series at Westerly Town Beach has a lineup of luminaries including John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band on July 31, and Souls on Fire August 14. Facebook: TunesOnTheDunes

 

TUESDAYS

 

South Kingstown Farmers Market: Head to Marina Park from 2-6pm for produce and honey, plus bread, pottery, candy, soap, and more; through October. Wakefield, SouthKingstownFarmersMarket.org

 

WEDNESDAYS

 

Blues on the Beach: Check out the free hump day concert series at the Westerly Town Beach beginning July 19. Many popular acts including Roomful of Blues on July 28 are slated. In the event of rain, concerts move to The Windjammer. Westerly, Facebook: Tunes On The Dunes

Movies on the Beach: Narragansett Town Beach is the place to be for films as the Cabana Horseshoe becomes an outdoor screen! Shows begin at dusk and guests need to bring their own seating to sit on the sand; food trucks are available in the North Lot. Free admission. NarragansettCOC.com

Wednesday Morning Bird Walks: Each week a new birding destination will be chosen, led by a naturalist. Advance registration is required and location will be sent via email to registered participants in advance. Various locations, ASRI.org

 

THURSDAYS

 

RiverFire: Special basins along the Saugatucket River are set ablaze, lighting up downtown Wakefield, along with street performers, vendors, and entertainment. Facebook: Wakefield RiverFire, WakefieldVillageAssociation.com

Summer Concert Series: Get the weekend vibes rolling with outdoor music starting July 6. Hear a range of different bands at The Village at South County Commons Thursday evenings at 6pm. South Kingstown, SouthCountyCommons.com

 

FRIDAYS

 

Narragansett Gazebo Concert Series: Friday evenings from 6-7:30pm enjoy live music in the heart of the Pier across from Narragansett Town Beach. The list of concerts includes blues, classic jazz, R&B, and tribute acts. June 9 through September 1. 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

 

SATURDAYS

 

Casey Farm Market: Support local farmers while shopping specialty products like organic produce, pasture-fed meats, locally raised shellfish, baked goods, sweeteners, flowers, and more. Saunderstown, HistoricNewEngland.org

South Kingstown Farmers Market: Buy seasonal provisions and more from local farms including Baffoni Poultry Farm, Barden Family Orchard, and Rhode Island Mushroom Co. Through October. SouthKingstownFarmersMarket.org

 

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here



X