Fall Hard for Fresh Issues šŸŽƒ

Say hello to October with our fresh issues, a coffee cart brewing kindness, cooking fun for the community at JWU, + more!

How’s everyone holding up after National Coffee Day? With so many irresistible sips across the state, we wouldn’t blame you if you’re still riding the latte high (or crashing from it). Consider today’s newsletter your cure for the caffeine hangover scaries. From a peek inside our October issues to local stories guaranteed to keep your heart buzzing, we’ve brewed up a lineup you won’t want to miss.

Fall for Local Stories This October

Get ready to embrace crisp air, changing leaves, and plenty of fall adventures with our October issues. We’ve crafted a field guide to exploring the state’s natural treasures to inspire your next weekend outing, and we’re diving into aging well in RI with stories that celebrate resilience and community. In So Rhode Island, meet a Westerly DIY-er who makes the shift from summer to autumn decor effortless. Over in The Bay, discover the brother behind Newport’s very own taste of Napa. Providence Monthly brings you the story of the Wayfinding project dropping anchor in the capital city, and Hey Rhody explores what’s next for a beloved local oyster bar. Find your copy at your favorite local retailer or online and let this season’s stories lead the way into fall!

Neuro Brews Pours More Than Coffee in Smithfield

A Smithfield family is brewing more than lattes at Neuro Brews, their mobile coffee cart serving locally roasted Block Island Coffee. Founded by Holly DelRossi and inspired by her son David, the cart blends quality drinks with a mission of kindness and inclusion, turning every cup into a story of connection. Read more online. Read more online.

• By Jenna Kaplan, photo courtesy of Holly DelRossi

A Night of Play Grown-Ups Will Love

Remember the joy of board games, scavenger hunts, and losing track of time in play? The Providence Children’s Museum is inviting adults to rediscover that feeling with its much-anticipated after-hours bash, Play ON! This lively 21+ evening lets guests trade the daily grind for games, laughter, and pure fun.

For nearly five decades, the museum has been a hub for hands-on exploration and learning, sparking curiosity for generations of Rhode Island families. Once a year the museum flips the script. Instead of children filling the exhibits, grown-ups take over, channeling their inner child in the most delightful way.

ā€œPlay has always been at the heart of what we do, and this event is our chance to remind adults how joyful and restorative play can be,ā€ says Victoria Picinich, Director of Development and External Relations. Play ON! gives permission to step away from routine and embrace the lighthearted spirit that kids enjoy every day at the museum.

Guests will discover card and board games tucked into exhibits, an arts and crafts corner, spirited competitions, and a Halloween costume contest for those who love to dress up. Add in a scavenger hunt, music, and plenty of laughter, and the night promises the kind of carefree fun that never gets old.

Local food trucks will keep bellies full, and Long Live Beerworks will pour the beverages. Every ticket sold supports the museum’s mission to keep play accessible to all families, ensuring creativity and exploration are never out of reach. 

Play ON! happens Friday, October 17, from 6-10pm at the Providence Children’s Museum. Reserve your spot, sharpen your game-night skills, and get ready to play like a kid again (with better snacks). For more information or to purchase tickets, visit ProvidenceChildrensMuseum.org.

Rhody Recs is your weekly roundup of what’s happening across the state, a built-in excuse to rally the crew early instead of scrambling for plans at the last minute. Because let’s be real, life’s too short to leave the fun for last minute.

Date

Event

Wednesday 10/1

Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular: Trivia - 2nd Edition

Get your tickets for Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, glowing nightly through November 2 with thousands of pumpkins and a new round of brain-teasing fun from 6-10:30pm. Learn more online.

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Burgers & Half Bottles at Parkside

Sink your teeth into Burgers & Half Bottles at Parkside, launching October 1 and running Wednesday and Thursday nights with gourmet burgers paired perfectly with shareable half bottles of wine. Learn more online.

Thursday 10/2

Movies on the Block

Catch The Wizard of Oz under the stars at Grant’s Block in Providence this week at dusk, rescheduled after last week’s rainout – lawn chairs and ruby slippers encouraged. Learn more online.

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Savor the Flavors of Rhode Island

Sip, savor, and support a great cause at Savor the Flavors of Rhode Island, returning from 6-9pm at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet Village. With over 40 local food and beverage vendors, a lively silent auction, and plenty of Ocean State pride, this evening of indulgence benefits Special Olympics Rhode Island and promises a night worth toasting. Learn more online.

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Flickers’ Vortex Sci-Fi Fantasy & Horror Film Festival

Step into the chills and thrills of the Flickers’ Vortex Sci-Fi Fantasy & Horror Film Festival, taking over Providence October 1-5. With premieres, cult classics, and all the eerie extras horror, fantasy, and sci-fi fans crave, this five-day festival transforms the city into Rhode Island’s ultimate haunted theater. Learn more online.

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Artful Afternoon

Bring your creativity to Artful Afternoon, hosted by RISD Continuing Education and Mini Makerz Art Studio from 4:30-6:30pm at 195 District Park in Providence. This free, all-ages event invites the community to dive into hands-on art-making activities and enjoy a colorful evening of imagination and fun. Learn more online.

Friday 10/3

Narragansett Brewery’s Oktoberfest

Raise your steins at Narragansett Brewery’s Oktoberfest, running October 3–5 at the Providence brewery with live music, stein-hoisting contests, Bavarian bites, and plenty of authentic German brews under the big bier garten tent. Learn more online.

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The Vampire Circus

Sink your teeth into spooky season with The Vampire Circus at Stadium Theatre at 8pm where acrobats, illusions, and spine-tingling thrills bring an abandoned cemetery to life in a family-friendly Halloween spectacle. Learn more online.

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Farmgirl’s Front Porch Fall Basket Workshop

Gather your friends and a favorite cocktail for Farmgirl’s Front Porch Fall Basket Workshop on October 3 from 6-7:30pm in Wickford Village. Create a gorgeous peony basket to show off all season long, with fall snacks provided and plenty of cozy vibes. Learn more online.

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Warwick Food Truck Night

Kick off the weekend at Warwick Food Truck Night starting at 4 pm at the Great Lawn at Crowne Plaza. Expect tasty eats from local food trucks, drinks from Good Vibes Beverages, and live tunes from Good Living Band. Learn more online.

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Reese Landry at Symposium Books

Join author Reese Landry at Symposium Books in PVD from 7-8pm for a special reading and conversation about her new release, Hope, Love and The Lack Thereof: An Evolution of Mind. This free event welcomes all for an evening of storytelling, reflection, and connection in the heart of downtown. Learn more online.

Saturday 10/4

Pumpkin Palooza

Celebrate fall at Blackstone River Glass in Cumberland from 11am-6pm with live pumpkin carving, glassblowing demos, a market of hand-blown pumpkins, and cozy riverside vibes. Learn more online.

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51st Annual Harvest Fair at Norman Bird Sanctuary

Celebrate 51 years of fall fun in Middletown with pumpkin painting, pony rides, local crafts, and comfort food, October 4-5 from 10am-5pm. Learn more online.

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Providence Artisans Market x Friends of Lippitt Park Fall Festival

Celebrate local flavor and leaf-kicking fun from 10am-2pm at Lippitt Park with lawn games, crafts, a costume swap, and farmers market favorites. Learn more online.

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Applumpkin Fall Festival

Celebrate peak autumn vibes at the Applumpkin Fall Festival from 9am-4pm at Ninigret Park in Charlestown, where kids’ games, live entertainment, local makers, raffles, and food trucks make for the ultimate fall day out. Learn more online.

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WaterFire Providence: Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Awareness Lighting

Honor hope and strength at WaterFire Providence: Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Awareness Lighting in downtown Providence, with fires igniting at sunset and glowing until midnight alongside food, music, and community events to celebrate survivors and support the fight. Learn more online.

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Puppy Pals LIVE

Get ready to howl with laughter at Puppy Pals LIVE from 3-4:30pm at Stadium Theatre in Woonsocket, where rescued pups steal the spotlight with jaw-dropping stunts, hilarious tricks, and nonstop tail-wagging fun. Learn more online.

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Little City Thrifty Vintage Market

Hunt for hidden gems at Little City Thrifty Vintage Market, returning to the WaterFire Arts Center in Providence on October 4-5 with over 90 vendors, 15,000 square feet of treasures, and a complimentary beverage for every shopper. Learn more online.

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Fall Fest at Wildwood

Celebrate the season outdoors with food trucks, local vendors, and live music at Wildwood Nursery in East Greenwich, running October 4–5 from 1pm-5pm. Learn more online.

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10th Annual Wakefield Octoberfest

Main Street in Wakefield transforms into a lively celebration from 12-11pm with German food, beer, dancing, live music, and family-friendly fun. Learn more online.

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Fearleass Fish Market’s Oystermania

This free Grateful Dead–themed oyster fest at 721 Hope Street in PVD runs from 12-5pm with live music, food, and shuck-loads of fun for the whole family. Learn more online.

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Silences + Blank Spaces: A Line-Editing Study

Writers of all genres are invited to LitArts RI in Providence from 12-2pm for a revision-focused workshop that explores the art of omission and the power of letting go. Learn more online.

Sunday 10/5

Mind Body Summer Series with Fitness Sanctuary

Join the Mind Body Summer Series with Fitness Sanctuary from 11am-1pm. This free outdoor workout pairs strength training with mindfulness, welcoming all ages and fitness levels. Learn more online.

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PVD Flea

Enjoy this award‑winning vintage and indie maker market in Providence, showcasing 75+ local artisans, food trucks, and community nonprofits from 11am-3pm at 195 District Park. Learn more online.

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Skate Shop Pop Up

Roll into family fun at Del’s Lemonade in Warren from 11am-6pm with rentals, lessons, and sweet treats on wheels. Learn more online.

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Folk at the Farm

Enjoy an afternoon of live folk music and community vibes at Frerichs Farm in Warren from 1pm-5pm. Learn more online.

Our Rhody Rec list is refreshed with every newsletter, so be sure to check back for the latest events!

Family Business Turns WaterFire Into a Home of Stories

Five emerging artists from WaterFire’s Accelerate program have transformed the Arts Center into a reimagined household where each room tells a deeply personal story. Running through October 19, Family Business invites visitors to step inside and experience the beauty, complexity, and truth of family through bold, diverse, and heartfelt art. Read more online.

• By Jenna Kaplan, photo courtesy of Caterina Maina

Kitchen Academy at Johnson & Wales University Serves a Fresh Lineup of Fall Classes

Johnson & Wales University is inviting foodies of all skill levels into its Providence kitchens for hands-on cooking classes this fall. From artisan breads to Thanksgiving sides, Kitchen Academy blends pro tips with community fun for a delicious night out. Read more online.

• By Jenna Kaplan, photo courtesy of Johnson & Wales University

⭐ Looking for a way to serve up some good this weekend? Pond View Racquet Club in Westerly is hosting a tennis tournament on October 4 from 12-4Pm to benefit Toys for Tots of Greater Rhode Island. With bites from Fig & Fromage, sips from Tapped Apple, sweets from LaSalle Bakery, and a visit from the Marine Corps Reserve, it’s community spirit at its finest – all while raising toys for a great cause.

⭐ Is it ever really too early to start planning a little holiday magic? Ballet RI’s The Nutcracker returns this December with swirling snowflakes, dancing sweets and a touch of Ocean State sparkle. Grab your tickets now and get ready to make this timeless tradition part of your festive season.

⭐ Looking for a weekend adventure that won’t break the bank? Bank of America cardholders get free admission to select museums October 4-5, including the Providence Children’s Museum, RISD Museum, New Bedford Whaling Museum, and International Tennis Hall of Fame. Just show your card and photo ID for entry.

Sakonnet Vineyard Turns 50 with a Fall Full of Fun

From hay mazes and harvest festivals to classic cars (with a Jay Leno cameo!), Sakonnet Vineyard is pulling out all the stops for its golden anniversary. Every weekend through November, Little Compton’s wine country hotspot is serving up live music, seasonal sips, and family-friendly festivities worth toasting. Read more online.

• By Jenna Kaplan, photo by David Bettencourt

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Gourdness gracious, how can we not love fall!? šŸŽƒ

Photo by @ingridlp15

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