The younger sister of Newport Jazz Festival, Newport Folk is a no-nonsense listening party for true folk fans. Held each year at an old 18th century army fort overlooking Newport Harbor, you still get the stripped-down experience of what the festival was in 1959: standing on a lawn, nodding along in a sea of thousands. In a town that’s historically been lauded as a Gilded Age luxury resort, Newport Folk is devoted to staying down-to-earth; while other festivals might draw droves through carnival rides or games, Newport Folk’s consistent numbers come from its reputation for delivering a well-rounded and sometimes unbelievable lineup. Those who return year after year, either by land or by sea — many locals dock alongside the fort to hear performances from their sailboats — are there for what’s on the four stages.
In the early days, you could catch a youthful Bob Dylan or Joan Baez strumming out an acoustic set. Last year, performances from Jason Isbell, Noah Kahan, Lana Del Rey, Maggie Rogers and Jon Batiste delighted fans of all ages. Organizers have settled on a rolling lineup the past few years, announcing artists scheduled to appear in staggered batches over the months leading up to Newport Folk, rather than all at once. That means that it’ll be a few months before we’ll know exactly who’s playing in 2024, but at the time of writing, the festival has announced performers like Adrianne Lenker, Black Pumas, Killer Mike and Orville Peck, among others. That uncertainty comes with the territory, though. Newport Folk is perhaps known best for two things: selling out tickets before a lineup is even announced and surprise performances from folk legends. In 2022, the festival hosted the return of Joni Mitchell to the stage after a nearly 20-year performance hiatus, and attendees last year got a surprise set from James Taylor.
The Specs
- All tickets are currently sold out; join the waitlists here.
- 10,000 expected to attend each day.
- Spending some extra time in the Ocean State? Check out Fifty Grande’s Rhode Island recs.
FAQs
What is the closest airport to Newport Folk?
T.F. Green International Airport (PVD) will get you about 30 miles north of Newport. From there, either drive south and cross two bridges to get to Aquidneck Island, or try the Providence-Newport Ferry.
Where’s the venue?
Fort Adams State Park, 90 Fort Adams Drive, Newport, RI 02840
I’m driving, where can I park?
Fort Adams has limited parking, so organizers recommend purchasing parking passes in advance. If there’s space left over on the day, the lots will be cash only.
Can I camp?
There is no camping available at Newport Folk.
Can I bring kids?
Absolutely; this is an all ages event.
Which artists will I see at Newport Folk?
Adrianne Lenker, Bertha: Grateful Drag, Jobi Riccio, Black Pumas, Chaparelle, La Lom, Buck Meek, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Mighty Poplar, Guster, Killer Mike, November Ultra, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Orville Peck, Palmyra, Sir Woman, Reyna Tropical, Sierra Ferrell, Shovels & Rope, Rhiannon Giddens, Tinariwen, Steve Poltz, Wednesday, and more artists to be announced.