Since 1959, the Newport Folk Festival has held a unique place in America’s musical and cultural history. A hub for the Civil Rights Movement in the 60s and the site of Bob Dylan’s famous switch to electric guitar in 1965, the festival also hosted the first major appearances of Joan Baez, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell and Arlo Guthrie, and sparked the revival of gospel, Cajun and blues. Today the festival still serves the musical omnivores, the fans who crave innovation but appreciate tradition
The Newport Jazz Festival, started in 1954, was the first jazz festival in America and served as the stage for legendary performances by Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and many others. Referred to as the granddaddy of all jazz festivals, the event draws thousands of people from all over the world to Newport. Currently presented by Natixis Investment Managers, the event is held over three days at the International Tennis Hall of Fame and Fort Adams State Park