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Summer Pops 2026
Summer Pops 2026 will take place on
SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2026, 8 PM
Pre-show at 6:15 pm
WILCOX PARK - FREE
Rain date June 21
THE CHORUS OF WESTERLY • THE POPS FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA
ANDREW HOWELL, CONDUCTOR
Fireworks by Grucci - The Artillery Company of Newport
The Bells of Christ Church - Ryan Saunders, carillonneur
Full Program and Special Guests coming soon!
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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:
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PARKING FOR SUMMER POPS
Note that parking for Summer Pops is not in any way controlled by event organizers, the Chorus of Westerly, the Westerly Library and Wilcox Park. Please do not call us asking if we can reserve a parking spot for you - we cannot. However, we strongly recommend you come early to find a place to park.
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Performers and patrons can park in these locations on performance day.
All parking facilities noted are FREE and are approximately a 5-15 minute walk to Wilcox Park. Allow extra time for parking.
1. Washington Trust parking garage (enter off Broad Street) or the Washington Trust surface parking lots on Main Street
2. In the parking lots near the train station INCLUDING the very large new lot on Canal Street (just near the train underpass across from Hilltop Cafe) near the south end of Friendship Street.
3. Most area side streets just outside the center downtown area UNLESS they are marked 'no parking'.
Parking in these lots is at your own risk, first come, first serve, and spaces are not guaranteed to anyone. The Chorus does not control or own any of these lots or any of the parking for this event, so please do not contact us with parking related issues. You can talk with Westerly Police Department officers if you have any issues.
Accessible parking
Limited handicapped/accessible parking will be available on Grove Avenue, Broad Street, across from the Westerly Town Hall and extending to the Westerly Library and Wilcox Park, as well as parking areas in front of the United States Post Office and in other areas throughout town. This parking is first come, first serve and spaces are not guaranteed to anyone. Questions should be directed to the Westerly Police Department and not the Chorus of Westerly.
Street Closures
Grove Avenue and Wilcox Avenue will be closed to all vehicular traffic as of 5 pm on June 20, 2026. Exceptions will be made for those needing handicapped parking until all spaces are filled. Other motorists will be detoured onto Newton Avenue or other adjacent streets.
PARKING RESTRICTIONS WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED BY THE TOWN OF WESTERLY.
Please note no bicycles, scooters, skateboards, or similar riding devices are permitted in the park.
Dogs are prohibited in the park during the event. Properly licensed service animals are permitted.
At the conclusion of the event, all vehicular traffic will be delayed for approximately ten minutes to fifteen minutes to allow pedestrians to freely return to their vehicles. Motorists on Railroad Avenue heading south will be directed onto Canal Street in a westerly direction. Motorists on Canal Street heading east will be directed onto High Street in a northerly direction in order to alleviate the congestion in the Downtown Westerly area. Officers and/or traffic control signals will control all other traffic.
SUMMER POPS IS A FREE EVENT
In Wilcox Park
Summer Pops is a free event open to all. No tickets are required and there is no admission fee to attend. Guests attending the event may reserve a spot in the park by putting a blanket down (cloth blankets or sheets only - nothing vinyl, plastic, and no tarps) and leaving it unattended in the designated seating areas of the park at any point now.
Be aware you may NOT put down or leave tarps, vinyl, plastic sheets or similar, will be removed. Do not put spikes or stakes into the ground at any time. Noting else can be left on your blanket at any time unattended (including chairs, bags, coolers, or anything else). Such items may be immediately removed if found and not returned.
Please note: We ask that only low sand chairs are permitted in the two main center sections. Higher chairs are permitted in the side sections just off center, on the far side sections, and in the back sections. Thank you for your understanding.
The Fireworks by Grucci are launching from the north side of the pond in the park. Best viewing will be from the hill on the Grove Avenue side of the park OR right near the fence, so you can see under the trees, on the pond/High Street side. There is limited view if you are in other locations. The Fireworks at the end of the show is a short show (Pops is a concert with Fireworks at the end) as part of the 1812, the National Anthem, and then for 2-5 minutes post concert. We estimate Fireworks will happen between 930 and 10 pm - subject to change.
The entire program should be done just before 10 pm (but this subject to change or weather changes). The program may end or begin earlier if weather dictates a change. Music on the program and performers may change without notice. We reserve the right to start the performance early.
Pets & Animals
Pets and animals are not permitted in Wilcox Park during Summer Pops. Thank you for your understanding.
Smoking is not permitted in Wilcox Park.
**Be aware that there are LOUD noises at Pops including cannon fire and fireworks.**
The Artillery Company of Newport usually fires a cannon shot or two (blanks) at the beginning of the show. They also fire (blanks) at several points during the finale. Fireworks by Grucci fire their shells during the finale and just after and they can be loud. The bells of Christ Episcopal Church will also peal (ring) during the 1812 and after the performance.
The Fireworks show is short, but be aware it makes a lot of noise.
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