Newport Jazz Festival
- Dates
- Expected late July-early August (2026 edition ran July 31-Aug 2; 2027 dates not yet announced)
- Status
- Confirmed
- Venue
- Fort Adams State Park
- Price
- $117 to $314
- Camping
- None on site
- Last checked
- Oct 19, 2026
Newport Jazz Festival returns to Fort Adams State Park, Newport, RI, Expected late July-early August (2026 edition ran July 31-Aug 2; 2027 dates not yet announced). Froligo tracks current ticket prices, attendee feedback and travel details.
The experience
What's special
Founded in 1954, the Newport Jazz Festival is the oldest continuously running jazz festival in the world, staged each summer on the harbor-side grounds of Fort Adams State Park in Newport, Rhode Island. Across multiple stages and three days it pairs living legends with boundary-pushing newcomers, and in recent years its programming has widened well beyond straight-ahead jazz into soul, hip-hop and genre-crossing sets. The waterfront setting, the open lawns where attendees spread chairs and blankets, and a laid-back, all-ages atmosphere are central to its identity.
Last time around (2025)
The 2025 edition ran August 1-3 at Fort Adams State Park and was a sold-out festival, presenting more than sixty acts across three days. Critics described the programming as bolder and more unpredictable than ever, blending traditional jazz with soul and hip-hop influences, while the harbor setting, ocean views and welcoming, all-ages crowd drew consistent praise. Food trucks and local vendors rounded out a relaxed summer atmosphere.
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Listen
No official playlist linked yet. Find Newport Jazz Festival on Spotify.
Lineup
Getting there
Nearest airport PVD.
How do I get to Newport Jazz Festival?
By car
Most people drive to Newport Jazz Festival. The nearest major airport is PVD, and from there it is a straightforward drive to the venue. Check current road and traffic conditions before you set off, and see parking below.
By train
No direct passenger rail to the venue was found. Drive, fly in, or use a shuttle instead.
By bus & public transit
No direct bus from PVD to Newport. Take RIPTA Route 1, 20, or 66 from the airport terminal roadway (or Route 14 from the InterLink facility at 700 Jefferson Blvd) to Kennedy Plaza in downtown Providence, then transfer to RIPTA Route 60 (Providence-Newport, East Bay) to the Newport Transit Center, ~73 min end-to-end via Bristol/Warren/Barrington, then a final taxi/rideshare/walk leg to Fort Adams State Park (~2-2.5 mi from the Transit Center). Identical route as required for the sibling Newport Folk Festival at the same venue.
Book / infoFestival shuttle
Not an airport shuttle. Newport Harbor Island Resort, a preferred lodging partner of the Newport Festivals Foundation, runs complimentary water-taxi transportation for its own guests between the resort and Fort Adams, explicitly covering both Newport Folk and Newport Jazz festival weekends per the resort's own festivals page. No general public airport-to-venue shuttle exists per newportjazz.org's own travel page.
Book / infoBy ferry
Not airport-based but the only scheduled boat link from the Providence area: SeaStreak runs from India Point in Providence to the SeaStreak Ferry Terminal at 39 America's Cup Avenue in Newport, walkable/short-rideshare to Fort Adams. Relevant for PVD arrivals connecting via downtown Providence rather than driving straight to Newport.
Book / infoOnce in downtown Newport, this is the general-public water link straight to the festival gate. newportjazz.org's own travel-lodging page names two services: a continuous 15-minute 'Newport Harbor Shuttle' ferry from Perrotti Park on America's Cup Avenue, and a 'Reserved Express' service running between Ann Street Pier and Fort Adams specifically 'during Folk and Jazz weekend', i.e. a Jazz-weekend-specific express option not offered outside festival dates. The festival also separately points to bikenewportri.org for cycling routes to the venue as a non-motorized option.
Book / infoTaxi & rideshare
Uber and Lyft operate from PVD with a $3 airport pickup surcharge added on top of standard upfront pricing; no fixed flat rate published for the PVD-to-Newport route (~30 miles).
Book / infoTaxis and rideshare such as Uber and Lyft can be limited near the venue, especially late at night or in rural areas. Agree a pickup point and time in advance and keep a backup plan.
🅿 Parking
On site parking available. Cost On-site parking is limited at Fort Adams; the festival strongly encourages buying a pass in advance to guarantee a spot. As of 2026, on-site parking sales are credit-card only, cash no longer accepted. Prepay via the festival's ticketing site. Once on-site lots fill, cars are directed to an off-site satellite lot with a wheelchair-accessible-lift shuttle bus running to the event entrance, 9am until end of day. Accessible parking requires a handicapped plate/placard/state ID. Uber/Lyft are routed to a separate signed 'Ridesharing' zone at the Harrison Avenue entrance, distinct from the parking lots. The festival also actively promotes carpooling, biking, and the ferry options above as alternatives to driving.
🚙 Car hire
Compare car hire at PVD
On site parking is available; if you are hiring a car it is worth checking the cost and how early it fills.
Search car hireCar hire links may earn Froligo a commission; they never change the price you pay.
Where
Venue
Fort Adams State Park
Camping & Accommodation
Where can I stay near Newport Jazz Festival?
No on site camping. Here is where to stay nearby.
Budget stays 4
31 West Main Road, Middletown, RI 02842
Typically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates351 West Main Road, Middletown, RI 02842
Typically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates276 Connell Highway, Newport, RI 02840
Typically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates1185 West Main Road, Middletown, 02842, Newport, RI
Typically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesMid-range hotels 5
25 America's Cup Avenue, Newport, RI
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates142 Long Wharf, Newport, RI 02840
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates405 Thames Street, Newport, RI 02840
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates551 Thames Street, Newport, RI 02840
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates1 Goat Island Road, Newport, RI 02840
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesAirport hotels 3
2100 Post Road, Warwick, RI 02886
Typically $100-190 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates2138 Post Road, Warwick, RI 02886
Typically $100-190 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates2081 Post Road, Warwick, RI 02886
Typically $100-190 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesMore hotels nearby 4
1 Goat Island Rd, Newport, RI
Shuttle Official 'preferred lodging partner' of the Newport Festivals Foundation; complimentary water-taxi transportation for resort guests directly to and from Fort Adams State Park throughout both Folk and Jazz festival weekends, per the resort's own festivals page and confirmed as one of four hotels named on newportjazz.org's own official travel & lodging page.
Link coming soon4 Commercial Wharf, Newport, RI
Link coming soon31 America's Cup Avenue, Newport, RI
Link coming soon1 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI
Link coming soonAirbnb & private camping
Newport is a premium, high-demand coastal RI market at the height of summer tourist season, and this festival's typical late-July/early-August window (2026 ran Jul 31-Aug 2) sits inside that peak. Expect above-average pricing and tighter availability versus an off-season weekend.
Search AirbnbNo Hipcamp listings sit inside Newport itself, but Hipcamp lists 90+ camping/glamping options within the wider Newport search radius (Newport County and nearby South County), averaging around $140/night with options from $30/night. Real alternative for attendees willing to drive in each day rather than stay in Newport proper.
Search HipcampSearch all hotels near Fort Adams State Park
Hotel links may earn Froligo a commission; they never change the price you pay.
What to bring
Entry rules
Accessibility & comfort
The organizer does not publish accessibility details. Ask them directly before you travel about step-free access, accessible toilets, seating and anything else you need.
Pricing
Price history and tiers
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Quick answers
When is Newport Jazz Festival?
Expected late July-early August (2026 edition ran July 31-Aug 2; 2027 dates not yet announced). The organizer has not announced the dates yet.
How much are Newport Jazz Festival tickets?
$117 to $314 per person, from the official ticket page. Prices change, so confirm before you buy.
Where is Newport Jazz Festival held?
Fort Adams State Park, Newport, RI.