There’s something about a community showing up for each other, and if last night proved anything, it’s that Rhode Island knows how to do just that. Our very first Hey Rhody Market felt less like an event and more like a moment, with vendors, sponsors, and supporters all showing up and showing out for local in the best way possible. We’re not quite ready to come down from it, and something tells us you’re not either. So let’s keep that energy going with today’s newsletter, packed with fresh spots to try, can’t-miss events, and a few unexpected finds that might just turn into your next favorite thing.
Savoring Rhody with Patty J: New Rhode Island Restaurants and Local Favorites to Try This May
From pizza tacos in Warren to espresso martinis in West Greenwich, Patty J rounds up the new Rhode Island restaurants and longtime favorites worth the drive this month. Consider this your May dining list, filled with fresh openings, creative menus, and a few classics that still hit every time. Read more online.
Big Easy Bash Brings Zydeco, Cajun Music, and Louisiana Flavor to Warwick
A new live music event inspired by Rhode Island’s Rhythm & Roots legacy is bringing zydeco, brass, and dance-floor energy to The Event Factory on May 23. Led by Jack Wentworth, this first-ever Big Easy Bash blends high-energy performances with a close-knit, feel-good atmosphere that’s all about music, movement, and community. Read more online.
Presented by ArtWeek SouthCoast
ArtWeek SouthCoast Returns This May with 10 Days of Interactive Art Events
Somewhere between “we should get out more” and actually doing it, ArtWeek SouthCoast makes the decision easy. Returning May 8–17, the 2026 festival brings more than 90 events to cities and towns across the SouthCoast, from Attleboro and Taunton to New Bedford, Fall River, and the coastal stretch through Marion and Westport.
The concept is simple. Make creativity easy to find and even easier to try. The lineup spans hands-on workshops, live performances, gallery exhibitions, open studios, and artist talks, along with family-friendly programming and behind-the-scenes experiences that invite you into the process. It’s the kind of event where you might wander into a studio, stay longer than expected, and leave with a new favorite artist or a hobby you didn’t plan on picking up.
And because it’s spread across the region, it naturally turns into a day of exploring. One stop leads to another. A gallery visit becomes dinner nearby. A workshop turns into a reason to check out a new town. It’s less about mapping out every minute and more about following what catches your attention.
That sense of discovery is the point. ArtWeek SouthCoast puts creativity front and center in the places people already love, giving visitors a fresh way to experience them. It’s a reminder that sometimes the best plans are the ones you didn’t overthink. For those ready to see where it leads, view the full schedule and start planning at artweeksouthcoast.org, and follow along on Facebook and Instagram for updates and inspiration.
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 |
|---|---|
Friday 5/15 | Wickford Harbor Fire - 10th Anniversary Season Kick Off Light up your evening in Wickford Village from 5-9pm, where this waterfront celebration marks a decade of Harbor Fire with glowing bonfires, live music, food trucks, and seaside charm. Learn more online ⸻ Sunset Sessions Market at Sons of Liberty Kick off your Friday from 5–8pm at Sons of Liberty in South Kingstown, where a rotating crew of local vendors, craft spirits, and pup-friendly energy set the scene for an easygoing night out. Learn more online ⸻ Dance Night at The Knick with Eight to the Bar & UNITED Big Band Hit the dance floor at The United Theatre in Westerly, where Eight to the Bar teams up with the UNITED Big Band for a high-energy night of swing, Motown, and jazz-filled celebration. Learn more online |
Saturday 5/16 | Coggeshall Farm Sheep & Wool Festival Spend the day at Coggeshall Farm Museum in Bristol, where this hands-on festival brings sheep shearing demos, fiber arts, and woolly encounters together for a charmingly rustic celebration of all things fleece. Learn more online ⸻ Southside Community Land Trust's 34th Annual Rare & Unusual Plant Sale Dig into something green from 10am–2pm at City Farm in Providence, where this beloved annual sale offers thousands of organic plants, live music, and a vibrant community vibe for gardeners of all kinds. Learn more online ⸻ Bill Blagg's Family Magic Prepare to be wowed at the Providence Performing Arts Center, where magician Bill Blagg delivers a high-energy show packed with comedy, crowd interaction, and jaw-dropping illusions for all ages. Learn more online |
Sunday 5/17 | Gin Tasting in the Stuart Herb Garden In the cozy charm of the Gilbert Stuart Birthplace in Saunderstown, this 5-7pm tasting invites guests 21+ to explore gin’s botanical roots and lively backstory, all guided by a spirits expert in a garden setting. Learn more online ⸻ Obscura: Murder at the Fantasy Ball Step into a spellbound mystery at Ten31 Productions in Pawtucket, where this immersive masked event invites guests 18+ to don their finest fae attire and unravel a murder at a fantastical spring ball. Learn more online ⸻ Roger Williams Park Zoo Stem LEGO Workshop Get building at Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, where this hands-on workshop runs between 9:30am-3pm and invites young creators to design LEGO bug masterpieces alongside a master builder. Learn more online |
Our Rhody Rec list is refreshed with every newsletter, so be sure to check back for the latest events!
Olde Mistick Village Brings Small-Town Charm Just a Short Drive Away
Just under an hour from Providence, Olde Mistick Village blends cobblestone charm, local shops, and waterfront calm into a day trip that feels both familiar and refreshing. Wander at your own pace, shop small, and settle in for a relaxed afternoon that Rhode Islanders will want to revisit all season long. Read more online.
Free Summer Concert Series at Track 15 Brings Live Music to Downtown Providence
Starting May 22, Track 15’s weekly Friday night concert series pairs live local music, art, and food hall favorites in the heart of downtown Providence. It’s an easy, free way to settle into summer, with rotating performances, creative pop-ups, and plenty of reasons to stay awhile. Read more online.
Trinity Rep 2026 Season Brings New Leadership and Must-See Shows to Providence
Trinity Repertory Company’s 2026–27 season marks a turning point, blending a leadership transition with a lineup that spans bold premieres, beloved traditions, and fresh direction. From A Christmas Carol’s 50th anniversary to a gripping world premiere, it’s a season that invites Rhode Islanders back to the theater with something new to discover. Read more online.
⭐ Craving a garden glow-up this spring? Swing by Mapleville Farm this weekend for a two-day plant sale packed with homegrown veggies, herbs, and colorful blooms. Sip a coffee as you browse and bring home something fresh to make your garden pop.
⭐ Want to add a little high-flying fun to your zoo visit? Catch the Canine Champions for Conservation shows at 11am-2pm, where rescue dogs wow the crowd with agility runs, frisbee tricks, and gravity-defying stunts. It’s a heartwarming, action-packed showcase of skill, training, and the incredible bond between dogs and their handlers.
⭐ Looking for an art experience that blends history with a modern lens? On Being American: Contemporary Artworks, Echoes of the Past is on view at Lippitt House Museum during select weekly hours, where local artists explore identity and storytelling through bold, thought-provoking work. It’s a fresh, creative take set against the backdrop of one of Providence’s most iconic historic homes.
