As you get to know South County on your vacation to the region, you’ll surely find yourself looking for some entertainment. There’s no shortage of things to do throughout the area, but one of the best ways to spend an evening is tracking down some live music in an outdoor setting.
The Tuesday Summer Concert Series is a weekly occurrence at North Kingstown Town Beach. As the name suggests, these concerts take place every Tuesday throughout the summer, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to check one out.
Here’s everything you need to know about these free South County concerts, which are sure to become a highlight of your next vacation.
About North Kingstown Town Beach
North Kingstown Town Beach might not be high on your list of places to visit this summer because it’s away from South County’s busiest areas. This small park sits just outside of Wickford, overlooking the always scenic Narragansett Bay, and is a popular spot for locals looking to escape the crowds.
The beach has a small parking lot and is home to the Wickford Art Association. You’ll need a beach sticker to park at this location, which costs $20 per vehicle for the entire season for non-residents. You have to buy this sticker before you arrive because they don’t sell them at the gate.
When to Arrive
Getting to the venue early is advisable if you want a spot close to the action. Depending on the band playing on a particular evening, the park can fill up quickly, so you could find yourself a fair distance from the front.
These concerts start at 6:30, but the parking lot closes at 5:30 and fills up far before that. In fact, the beach is a drop-off-only zone after 5:30, so you can’t drive down at all.
If you can’t get there before 5:30, don’t worry; there’s a shuttle from North Kingstown Town Hall. These shuttles start at 5:30 and continue running throughout the evening, so you won’t have to worry about parking.
On-Site Food Trucks
The food trucks are among the best things about the Tuesday Summer Concert Series. Since you’ll have to leave for the concert before dinner time, it’s a nice treat to grab a quick meal from a local vendor and enjoy it in the park with the show.
There’s a rotating list of food trucks that serve the concerts, so the meal you end up with will come down to the businesses on-site that particular week. Frequent attendees include South County Barbeque, Saugy Hot Dogs, Mumsy’s Ice Cream Delights, and Kona Ice.
The 2024 Lineup
Of course, you probably want some information on the bands participating in this concert series. It’s a wide range of local acts from the Rhode Island area, including popular acts like Neal and the Vipers, Country Wild, Narrow River, and the Good Vibe Tribe.
Musical genres include classic rock, southern rock, country, blues, jazz, pop, and R&B, so there’s a nice mix of music depending on the show you attend.
The concert series runs between June 11 and August 27, so if you’re in South County this summer, there should be a concert you can check out.
Family Concert Series
If you’re visiting South County with the kids, you might want to know about the Thursday Family Concert Series, as well. These shows focus on child-friendly entertainment and take place on July 11, 18, and 25 and August 1 and 8.
The Family Concert Series runs between 6:00 and 7:00 PM, and most are interactive shows where your kids can get up and dance as a fun way to end the day. The concerts are free, but a $5 per family donation is highly appreciated.
Other Information
There is little seating at North Kingstown Town Beach, so bringing a lawn chair or blanket is highly recommended. You should also know that organizers don’t cancel shows when it rains but instead move them to an indoor location.
If it’s raining the night you intend to check out a concert, there’s a chance they’ll move it to North Kingstown High School. Call 401-268-1543 after 2:30 on the day of the concert for an update if it looks like the weather could interfere with the show.
Tuesdays might typically be a slow time on your South County vacation, so driving to the Wickford area for a concert makes a lot of sense. Start planning early to ensure you’re ready to go and have the logistics figured out for your evening in North Kingstown, Rhode Island.