Your Guide to the Newport Folk Festival

The Newport Folk Festival is one of Rhode Island’s most anticipated events of the year with thousands of music-lovers trekking out to to get their folk on.

The weekend shows have been sold out since April, but tickets for tonight’s Wilco show are currently still available, and can be purchased here.

Last year, the festival was , with a full three weeks left. That record was eclipsed this year, with tickets

Tickets went on sale on March 1 and were sold out on by mid-April.

Check out the full Folk Festival lineup here. Plan your day and what stage you want to be at with the full festival schedule in the gallery to the right.

If you were lucky enough to score some tickets, here’s everything you need to know. This information, and a whole lot more, can be found on the Newport Folk Festival's website.

Important Times

• The Box Office opens at 9 a.m.
• Gates open at 10 a.m.
• Parking open at 8 a.m.
• Shuttles start at 9 a.m.
• Water taxis start at 7 a.m.
• Food & Crafts start at 10 a.m.
• Music starts at 11:30 a.m.

What’s Allowed (And What’s Not!)

• One small hand held cooler (no larger than 16×12) per person allowed
• Individual blankets 8′x 10′ or smaller
• Low-backed chairs only (under 30″)
• No glass containers admitted, and coolers will be searched.
• No alcohol
• No pets
• No beach umbrellas or other items that may obstruct the view of other guests
• No camping

Getting to The Fort

By Bicycle: The Newport Folk Festival and Bike Newport have partnered to making biking to the Fort easy for you. Bikes are not allowed inside the grounds, but there will be several places to lock up around the park. Here’s what you need to know.

By Water Ferry: There will be continuous service between Old Port Dock on America’s Cup Avenue at the Mooring Restaurant Parking Lot and the fort starting at 8 a.m. The ferry costs $10 round trip, reservations are not required. Leave from Jamestown on the Jamestown & Newport Ferry, which services Jamestown, Perrotti Park and Fort Adams every 30 minutes.

Ridesharing: If you’d rather carpool and make some new friends in the process, you can use Zimride. Post and book seats in one of the listed carpools.  

Parking

There will be limited parking at the Fort. Parking is $12 per vehicle in advance and $15 during festival weekend. Parking opens at 8 a.m. There will be ADA parking in the Lower Lot.

More helpful links:

Fort Adams

State Park’s Official Website

Newport Folk Map

Newport Folk Schedule

Food Vendors

Craft Vendors 

Village Exhibitors

For general questions, email newportfolkfest@gmail.com or call the Newport Folk Festival office at (401) 848-5055.

Tell us in the comments below if you're going and what you are looking forward to the most!