Newport, Rhode Island may be famous for its Gilded Age mansions and sailing culture, but come March, this historic seaside city transforms into one of New England’s premier destinations for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Newport’s Fifth Ward was once the heart of a thriving Irish-American community, where immigrants who built Fort Adams and worked the docks made their homes in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, the city honors this rich heritage with a month-long celebration that goes far beyond green beer and shamrocks. From the 70th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade to traditional Irish music concerts, cemetery tours exploring Irish history, and authentic pubs serving proper Guinness, Newport offers an immersive cultural experience that celebrates the genuine legacy of the Irish who shaped this coastal community.
Key Takeaways:
- The 70th Annual Newport St. Patrick’s Day Parade takes place Saturday, March 14 at 11 am, featuring pipe bands, marching bands, and local organizations in a two-hour procession through downtown
- Multiple venues host parade day parties, from family-friendly shows to all-day celebrations with live music
- Irish Heritage Month runs throughout March with events including traditional music concerts, historic cemetery tours, trolley tours of Irish Newport, and dancing at the Forty Steps
- The Museum of Newport Irish History opens special hours during March, offering exhibits, lectures, and self-guided walking tours of Irish neighborhoods
- Authentic Irish pubs like Buskers, The Fastnet, and O’Brien’s Pub provide year-round gathering places with traditional music, whiskey selections, and Irish hospitality
The Main Event: The 70th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The centerpiece of Newport’s Irish celebrations is the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 14, kicking off at 11 am from Newport City Hall. This is a Rhode Island tradition seven decades in the making. The two-hour procession winds through Washington Square, down historic Thames Street, and concludes at St. Augustine’s Church, rain or shine. Expect to see pipe bands filling the air with traditional music, marching bands, Fife & Drum Corps, clown units, and reenactment groups alongside police and fire units, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and numerous local organizations. Don your best green attire and join thousands of spectators lining the streets for this beloved community celebration.
The parade festivities extend throughout the weekend. On Friday, March 13 at 6 pm, the AOH Hall on Wellington Avenue hosts the Big Daddy Award ceremony, honoring the biggest supporter of the parade with free entry for all. The day of the parade, from 1 pm to 4 pm, families can enjoy a non-alcohol Family Day event featuring entertainment and giveaways in a kid-friendly atmosphere.
Where to Celebrate: Parade Day Parties
After watching the parade, numerous venues throughout Newport offer ways to continue the celebration. The Pelham hosts a St. Patrick’s Day Parade party from 11:30 am to 6 pm. This event consistently sells out, featuring top 40 covers by Boston’s Hit Play and local legend Timmy Smith.
For families, the Top of Pelham offers a special family-friendly Dueling Pianos show at 2 pm with spectacular views of Newport Harbor. Children ages 2-16 are welcome when accompanied by adults, and kids are admitted.
Stoneacre Garden kicks off its garden season with festivities starting at 10 am for pre-party snacks and beverages, with Motion Ave taking the stage at 12:30 pm. This free party features special corned beef egg rolls and plenty of good vibes. Reservations are available through Resy.
Traditional Irish Music and Dance
Newport’s Irish celebrations shine brightest through authentic musical performances. On Friday, March 13, music lovers have two exceptional options. At 6 pm, the JPT Film and Event Center hosts Turas, a dynamic Irish music ensemble, alongside 14-year-old Irish step dancing prodigy Kiera Nagle. Turas, meaning “journey” in Irish, blends traditional and contemporary Irish tunes with original arrangements. Nagle, who began training at age 3 with the Kelly School of Irish Dance, brings precise footwork and rhythmic flair to her debut performance with the band.
Also on March 13 at 7 pm, the nearby town of Bristol offers a concert by Failte at Linden Place‘s historic Carriage House Ballroom. The concert includes performances by step dancers from The Kelly School of Irish Dance.
Dive Deep into Irish History
The Museum of Newport Irish History, located in the heart of the historic Fifth Ward, opens special hours during Irish Heritage Month (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from March 13 through March 29). The Interpretive Center features exhibits on Irish immigration from colonial times to the present, including artifacts from Fort Adams construction, which relied heavily on Irish immigrant labor. While you are there, pick up one of three guides for a Self-Guided Walking Tour of three different Irish Newport neighborhoods.
History enthusiasts can participate in several special March events:
- On Sunday, March 22 at 1 PM, the museum hosts its annual Trolley Tour of Irish Newport, a free two-hour narrated journey through sites connected to Irish history, including stops at the Forty Steps on Cliff Walk and Barney Street Cemetery. Space is limited and reservations are required.
- On Monday, March 23 at 6 pm, Dr. Sean O’Callaghan of Salve Regina University presents the final talk in the 24th Annual Lecture Series, discussing Ireland’s Blasket Islands.
- Historic cemetery tours of Barney Street Cemetery (March 21 at 1 pm) and St. Mary’s Cemetery (March 28 at 1 pm) offer 30-45 minute explorations led by researcher Steve Marino, weather permitting.
- The month culminates on Sunday, March 29 at 3 pm with Dancing at the Forty Steps, commemorating the informal dances once held by Irish immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This free outdoor event features live traditional Irish music, Irish set dancing demonstrations, and a special appearance by the Ancient Order of the Hibernians Men Singers.
Authentic Irish Pubs Year-Round
Newport’s Irish spirit lives year-round in its authentic pubs.
- Buskers Pub serves high-quality gastropub fare with an extensive selection of Irish whiskeys, scotch, cocktails, and over 20 rotating beers on tap, open 365 days a year.
- The Fastnet Pub, named for Ireland’s southernmost lighthouse, overlooks Washington Square and offers over 30 draft beers, live music, and traditional Irish music every Sunday at 6 pm, plus games like ping pong, pool, and darts.
- O’Brien’s Pub, operating continuously since 1945 and in its current form since 1979, was voted Best Neighborhood Bar in Rhode Island from 2020-2023, remaining a favorite among locals and tourists alike.