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Your weekend bucket list starts here š
Celebrate Friday Eve with weekend recs, the case for fall fishing, a look back at a visit to Clark Farms, + more!
Is it just me, or has this week felt like three Mondays and one long-awaited Friday Eve? Either way, weāve officially reached the home stretch, and that calls for a little celebration ā preferably the kind that starts with todayās newsletter. Inside, youāll find local happenings to pull you off the couch, fascinating new reads to spark your curiosity, and a few delightful surprises stirred in for good measure. Think of it as your perfectly brewed cup of Rhody inspiration to sip your way into the weekend.
Strings Take Center Stage at URIās Guitar and Mandolin Festival
The 10th annual University of Rhode Island Guitar and Mandolin Festival returns October 19-25, bringing world-class musicians, masterclasses, and concerts to venues across South County. The week culminates with a special performance by Grammy-winning guitarist Tommy Emanuel, who joins an international lineup celebrating the artistry and evolution of string music. Read more online.
ā¢ By Ken Abrams, photo by Luciano Viti
Rhode Island Kids Arenāt Getting the Sleep Parents Think They Are
A new Brown University study led by Dr. Diana Grigsby-Toussaint found that while most Rhode Island parents believe their children get enough sleep, few actually do, particularly in Latino households. The research highlights a clear gap between perception and reality and offers practical, science-backed steps families can take to help kids rest better and thrive. Read more online.
ā¢ By Jenna Kaplan, photo courtesy of Freepik.com
Presented by Providence Childrenās Museum
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 Childrenās 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.
āPlay 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 museumās 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 Childrenās 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.
Hooked on Fall Adventures in the Ocean State
Autumn in Rhode Island is prime time for casting a line, with local charter captains guiding everyone from first-timers to seasoned anglers through the stateās abundant saltwater and freshwater spots. Whether reeling in striped bass off Brenton Reef or chasing bluefin tuna beyond the Bay, thereās no better season to experience the thrill of fishing in the Ocean State. Read more online.
ā¢ By Thom Cahir, photo courtesy of Brendan Gerew
Rhody Recs is your weekly roundup of whatās happening across the state, a built-in excuse to rally the crew early instead of scrambling for plans at the last minute. Because letās be real, lifeās too short to leave the fun for last minute.
Date | Event |
|---|---|
Friday 10/17 | Track 15 Harvest Festival Track 15ās two-day Harvest Fest takes place Friday and Saturday with live music, local vendors, fall treats, and family-friendly activities for guests of all ages. Learn more online āø» B&Bās Socktober Sock Drive Join the community in supporting the Mae Organization for the Homeless during Beauty and the Bathās Socktober Sock Drive, happening from 5-9pm at Wickford Harbor Fire, featuring special treats and store discounts for those who donate new socks. Learn more online āø» Queen of Hearts 19th Anniversary Celebration Downtown Providenceās beloved boutique Queen of Hearts celebrates 19 years in style with an anniversary party starting at 7pm, featuring refreshments and a drag show at their Westminster Street shops, Queen of Hearts and sister store Modern Love. Learn more online āø» Play ON! 2025 The Providence Childrenās Museum hosts Play On! 2025 from 6-10pm, a 21+ after-hours event featuring food, games, and entertainment for adults ready to relive the joy of childhood play. Learn more online āø» City Year Rhode Island Opening Day Ceremony: Ignite! 195 District Park in Providence hosts City Year Rhode Islandās Opening Day Ceremony: Ignite! from 3-5pm, celebrating the 2025ā2026 AmeriCorps members with speeches, music, games, and community fun. Learn more online āø» The Birds Screening at the Audubon Nature Center The Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium in Bristol hosts a screening of Alfred Hitchcockās The Birds from 6-9pm, featuring drinks, snacks, and a special live presentation with one of Audubonās animal ambassadors. Learn more online āø» The Spirits Are Calling Event Say Yes to the Cocktail hosts The Spirits Are Calling at Hope Events on Main in Pawtucket at 7pm, an immersive mixology experience featuring spooky signature cocktails, a costume contest, and a live DJ for a night of hauntingly good fun. Learn more online āø» Harvest Festival at Newport Vineyards Newport Vineyards in Middletown hosts its 8th Annual Harvest Festival October 17-19, celebrating 30 years with vineyard tours, tastings, brunch, live music, food, wine, and festival fun including grape stomping, axe throwing, and a stein-hoisting competition. Learn more online āø» Wicked WeekS in Wickford Main Street in Wickford comes alive October 17ā31 for Wicked WeekS, two full weeks of Halloween fun featuring the Witches Paddle, Sip N Stroll, Scarecrow Contest, Spooky Walking Tour, and the festive Horribles Parade. Learn more online |
Saturday 10/18 | 28th Annual Misquamicut Guy Fawkes Bonfire Night The 28th Annual Misquamicut Guy Fawkes Bonfire Night lights up the beach at 7pm at The Windjammer, where locals can enjoy live music, comedy, and a hilariously over-the-top reenactment of the 1605 Guy Fawkes trial. Learn more online āø» Mount Hope Farm Fall Vintage and Artisan Market The Fall Vintage and Artisan Market returns to Mount Hope Farm in Bristol from 9am-3pm, featuring vintage finds, handmade goods, and local artisan creations in the scenic South Pasture.. Learn more online āø» Spooky Season Market at Ogieās Shop spooky-season finds at the Spooky Season Market at Ogieās, happening from 12-4pm at 1155 Westminster Street in Providence, featuring vintage clothing, handmade goods, art, and brunch bites from local vendors. Learn more online āø» Spooky Zoo at Roger Williams Park Zoo Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence hosts Spooky Zoo, a family-friendly day of trick-or-treating, costumes, and fall fun with plenty of animals, candy, and seasonal fun from 7am-12pm. Learn more online āø» New England Witches Guild Halloween Parade and Festival The New England Witches Guild brings its annual Halloween Parade and Festival to Riverside from 11am-4pm, featuring a mile-long parade from Riverside Square to Crescent Park Carousel, plus live music, food trucks, vendors, and family fun. Learn more online āø» The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Greenwich Odeum The Greenwich Odeum in East Greenwich hosts the RKO Armyās live, interactive performance of The Rocky Horror Picture Show on October 18 from 8-10pm, complete with cult-classic chaos, audience participation, and a bonus Thriller performance. Learn more online āø» OctoberVets 5K and German Festival in Wickford Village Wickford Village hosts the OctoberVets 5K and German Festival on October 18 from 10-4pm, featuring a scenic run and a fall celebration with food, a beer tent, live music, and family-friendly fun. Learn more online āø» Purrfectly Spooky Kitten Yoga with the RISPCA The Rhode Island SPCA hosts Purrfectly Spooky Kitten Yoga with two sessions: an adults-only class at 10am and a family-friendly class at 11:30am, inviting participants to stretch, relax, and cuddle adoptable kittens. Learn more online āø» Farm Fresh: The Marketplace Anti-Robot Club āø» LitArts RIās Writers Block Party LitArts RI in Providence hosts the Writers Block Party from 9am-5pm, a day of micro workshops, networking, and creative activism exploring how writing can fuel social change. Learn more online āø» 34th annual Bowenās Wharf Seafood Festival Bowenās Wharf in downtown Newport hosts the 34th Annual Seafood Festival October 18-19 from 11am-6pm, featuring fresh local seafood, live music, family fun, and waterfront views in a free, rain-or-shine celebration of the āHarvest of the Sea.ā Learn more online |
Sunday 10/19 | Pivotal Brewing Company Annual Fall Fest Pivotal Brewing Company in Bristol hosts its annual Fall Fest from 1-5pm, featuring a chili cook-off, pumpkin painting, and a fall-themed story time, along with live indie folk music by Beth Killian from 1-4pm for an afternoon of cozy autumn fun. Learn more online āø» Jaswellās Farm Fall Festival Celebrate the season at Jaswellās Farm Fall Festival from 11am-2pm in Smithfield, featuring kidsā crafts, a touch-a-truck experience, food, face painting, live music, and more family fun. Learn more online āø» Vintage Pet Rescueās Fourth Annual A Special Day for Special Dogs Celebrate pups of all abilities at Vintage Pet Rescueās Fourth Annual A Special Day for Special Dogs, happening from 12-3pm at Chase Farm in Lincoln, with tickets available online and at the door. Learn more online āø» 3rd Annual Garlic Roast The Tiverton Farmers Market hosts its 3rd Annual Garlic Roast on October 19 from 10am-2pm at Tiverton Middle School, featuring garlic-inspired foods, local vendors, and seasonal harvest fun in a free, family-friendly celebration. Learn more online āø» Warren Walkabout Downtown Warren hosts the annual Warren Walkabout from 12-5pm, featuring art, food, live music, and local shopping for two lively Sunday afternoons by the bay. Learn more online āø» Calligraphy & Meditation at Naga Coffeehouse Naga Coffeehouse in Cranston hosts Calligraphy & Meditation from 3-5pm, offering a mindful afternoon of creativity and calm that blends art, reflection, and community connection. Learn more online āø» Trunk or Treat at Artisan Bites Artisan Bites in Cranston hosts Trunk or Treat from 9am-12pm, a family-friendly event with games, activities, and a $100 gift card prize for the best-decorated trunk. Learn more online āø» URI Guitar and Mandolin Festival The University of Rhode Island in Kingston hosts the 10th Annual Guitar and Mandolin Festival October 19ā26, a weeklong celebration featuring concerts, workshops, and masterclasses with international artists, offering musicians of all levels an immersive experience in ensemble performance and technique. Learn more online āø» Pottery on the Patio: Halloween Edition Pottery with a Purpose hosts Pottery on the Patio: Halloween Edition at Moniker Brewery in Providence at 1pm, inviting guests to craft spooky clay creations like ghost tea lights and pumpkin pots in a fun, hands-on workshop full of witchy fall vibes. Learn more online |
Our Rhody Rec list is refreshed with every newsletter, so be sure to check back for the latest events!
Rhody Rewind: Fall Fun Checklist at Clark Farms
Rewind to last fall with Jenna and Nick at Clark Farms, where corn mazes, pumpkin patches, and family fun steal the spotlight. Catch the full episode of Hey Rhody On The Road and see why this South County spot tops every autumn checklist.
Meet 3 of Octoberās Rhody Pets of the Month
From Angel the loyal Lab mix to sweet Sally the soft-eyed tabby and Kayley the adventurous Aussie mix, these lovable companions are each searching for a forever home. Find your perfect match and make this fall a season of second chances by adopting from a local Rhode Island shelter. Read more online.
ā¢ By Karen Kalunian
ā Think you can outsmart the pumpkins? The Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular runs nightly through November 2 at Roger Williams Park Zoo, with thousands of glowing gourds and trivia twists for all ages. Donāt miss New Englandās must-see fall tradition, open from 6-10:30pm nightly.
ā Got a story we have to hear, a hidden gem we missed, or just wanna say hi? At Hey Rhody Media Co., weāre all about celebrating the Ocean State ā and we love when readers like you help us do it even better. Whether itās a stunning photo, a foodie find, or a neighbor doing something awesome, your submissions might just end up in one of our award-winning mags!
ā Looking for a radiant way to celebrate the season of light? India Restaurant invites guests to experience Diwali Week from October 20-26 at 1060 Hope Street in Providence, featuring a traditional Indian welcome with aarti, tikka, garland, henna, and Diwali sweets in honor of the festival of light, peace, and prosperity.