Your Guide: Newport Jazz Festival

International Tennis Hall of Fame at the Newport Casino

194 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI • Friday, August 2
The opening night concert of the Newport Jazz Festival will be held at the International Tennis Hall of Fame at the Newport Casino. The venue is an open air stadium with a combination of covered and uncovered seating. Tickets sell out very quickly for this event which is held rain or shine. There are two entrances, one on Bellevue Avenue and one on Memorial Boulevard. There is no event parking and limited street parking in the neighborhood. The venue is within walking distance of the downtown wharves and many area hotels.

Doors open at 6:30pm. Dress is casual to dressy. In the event of rain, umbrellas are allowed in the stadium but must be closed and stored when the concert begins so they do not obstruct the views of others. There is no smoking in any of the seating areas. Alcohol, light food and beverages are sold at the venue.

Fort Adams State Park

Harrison Avenue, Newport, RI • Saturday & Sunday, August 3 & 4
The festival features two full days of jazz on three stages at Fort Adams, one of the Park system's national treasures situated at the mouth of Newport Harbor with panoramic views of the Newport Bridge and the East Passage.

FAQs About Fort Adams

1. What time does everything open?
BOX OFFICE opens at 9am / GATES open at 10am
PARKING opens at 8am / Shuttles start at 9am / WATER TAXIS start at 7am
FOOD & CRAFTS start at 10am / MUSIC STARTS at 10:30am

2. Is there parking on-site?
Yes. Limited on-site festival parking available at Fort Adams State Park available: $12.00 per vehicle in advance; $15.00 on festival weekend. To purchase in advance, select parking option during ticket buying process. Parking opens at 8am.

3. Are there alternatives to driving to the Fort?
BY WATER SHUTTLE: The Newport Harbor Shuttle provides continuous service between Perrotti Park or the Oldport Marine Dock on America’s Cup Ave in the Mooring Restaurant parking lot and Fort Adams beginning at 8 AM. Cost is $10.00 round trip and no reservations are required.

From Jamestown, take the Jamestown & Newport Ferry – servicing Jamestown, Perrotti Park & Ft. Adams, leaving Jamestown & Newport approximately every 30 min. Click here for Ferry Service & Water Taxi Info.

4. Is there camping on-site?
Sorry, no camping is available at Fort Adams State Park but there are campgrounds not far from the festival grounds. Check the Discover Newport website for campground information.

5. What can I bring with me?
YES...
• Only one small hand held cooler (no larger than 16x12) per person allowed
• Maximum size for individual blankets is 8'x 10'
• Low-backed chairs only (under 30") to ensure good viewing for others
• Hand held still cameras 

NO...
• No glass containers admitted. All coolers will be searched.
• No alcohol
• No Pets
• No beach umbrellas, tripods or anything that could obstruct the view of others
• No audio and visual recording devices 

6. What about the weather?
The festival is held rain or shine. There are tents over seating areas at the Quad and Harbor stages and shade can befound in parts of the Quad. Bring sunscreen and consider wearing a hat! If severe weather occurs programming may be temporarily interrupted, but will continue when weather allows.

Food and Crafts

In between sets at Fort Adams State Park on Saturday, August 3 and Sunday, August 4, visit the relaxing Louis Jadot Wine Cafés, satisfy your cravings a the food booths, shop a the unique crafts booths, or nurish your mind and soul and Non-Profit Village booths.

See Vendors Page For Booth Listings

To request an application for the Crafts Marketplace or for the Non-profit Village, please send an email toCraftsMarket@Cox.net. Please specify Crafts Market or Non-Profit Village. Non-Profit Village Spaces are for non profits giving out information only; no sales permitted. Spaces for both the Crafts Market and Non-Profit Village are limited and there is a selection process. We are no longer accepting application for food booths.

Services for People With Disabilities

Fort Adams State Park
Accessible parking is available in a designated lot on the Festival grounds. The regular parking fee must be paid. When entering the Festival site, vehicles with patrons needing access to this lot must show their handicapped license plate or placard, or other state-issued identification. The holder of the placard or identification MUST BE a passenger in the vehicle. There will be a shuttle bus fitted with a wheelchair accessible lift to bring patrons from parking lot to the Festival entrance, running from 9am until the end of the day. Violation of any ADA placard or license carries a fine of up to $500.

RESERVED SEATS
Reserved @ International Tennis Hall of Fame (August 2) & Fort Adams State Park (August 3 & 4)
Tickets can be purchased through TicketMaster by calling (800) 745-3000

GENERAL ADMISSION @ FORT ADAMS STATE PARK
An area within the general admission section on the lawn in front of the Fort Stage is reserved for disabled patrons. This section is located in a roped off area in front of the sound board. This area is accessible by a paved road from the festival entrance. Because space is limited, each disabled patron is allowed one guest to accompany them. Seating is not provided in this area so guests should bring blankets or low-backed lawn chairs.

For more information, email tickets@newportjazzfest.net