Newport Festivals Foundation Volunteer Information Page

Thank you for your interest in volunteering for the Newport Folk Festival and/or the Newport Jazz Festival.

Festival Volunteers help accomplish the Newport Festival Foundation's mission to "create moments of hope through the power of music and community" by helping in positions across all areas of the festival, inside and out. These positions include: Greeting, Shuttle bus, Ushers, helping patrons properly dispose of compostables and recyclables with the Green Team, Accessibility, and more. Specific job assignments aren't given until the days of the festival and you may work multiple positions over the weekend. Read the information below and then click the link to register for the festival you desire. 

Please be advised, due to the logistics of our amazing event, volunteering for one of our festivals is a THREE DAY COMMITMENT. Due to the drive in/out, the time spent working and the time you will likely spend enjoying the show, these are three days you will need to take off work and all other personal duties. 

Please note, all Newport Festivals Foundation volunteers must:

  • WORK ALL THREE DAYS OF THE FESTIVAL

  • HAVE THEIR OWN HOUSING ALL THREE DAYS OF THE FESTIVAL

  • HAVE ACCESS TO THEIR OWN TRANSPORTATION ALL THREE DAYS OF THE FESTIVAL

  • Be at least 18 years old on their first day of volunteering for the festival

  • Pass a background check

  • Work a 5.75 hour shift all three days of the festival

  • Stand or make use of their own appropriate accomodations for their entire shift

  • At least one shift must be an afternoon shift (beginning at 12pm or later)

  • Wear your Volunteer T-shirt during your shift, and only during shift

  • Wear closed-toe shoes during shifts

  • Participate in Orientation ahead of the festival (including returning volunteers)

  • Arrive at each shift completely sober - we have a strict no alcohol/drug policy before and during shifts

  • Follow all Newport Folk Festival and Newport Jazz Festival rules (see links above)


Benefits of volunteering:

  • Free entry to the festival as a patron before and/or after your volunteer shift 

  • Volunteer t-shirt

  • Free Parking

  • Be part of the team that makes the Newport Folk Festival and Newport Jazz Festival possible!


CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE WAITLIST

"I've been to the Jazz Festival a few times, but after volunteering this year, I don't think I could go back to just being an attendee. The community of staff and volunteers is so welcoming, plus it feels great to be a part of making the festivals run smoothly. I plan on volunteering every summer moving forward! " -2025 Volunteer


"Volunteering at Newport has been the best part of my summer! Everyone said it’s the best of all music festivals and unlike any other, and I didn’t believe it until I saw it with my own eyes. The Fort is such a special place, the crowd is packed with true music lovers who cherish the artists and the beautiful outdoors, everyone is kind and respectful to each other, and the ethos and art coming out of the festival are supercharged with positivity and hope. Newport gifted me new favorite artists, a host of volunteer friends I can’t wait to see next year, and a big dose of optimism about humankind. I truly loved it and feel so lucky to have been included as a volunteer. Thank you!" - 2025 Volunteer"


Volunteering at Folk Festival is truly the best gig in town—you will spend all three days meeting amazing people, hearing good music, and being in an environment that is really unlike any other festival. Everyone you meet, from volunteers to staff to attendees are incredibly kind and friendly, and that itself makes the weekend feel very meaningful! Knowing that our volunteer work makes the festivals possible is really fulfilling and makes you feel like you really are a part of something." - 2025 Volunteer


"I loved my time volunteering at the Newport Jazz Festival. It's the most diverse and pleasant group of festival attendees I've ever encountered, and I enjoyed getting to know so many staff and volunteers who come from all walks of life to enjoy and discover amazing music." -2025 Volunteer