The Newport Pride Velvet Ball Brings An Evening In Spain To Ochre Court

This Saturday, November 14 from 6:00 to 10:00 PM, Ochre Court Mansion at 100 Ochre Point Avenue will transform into a corner of Spain for one night only. The Annual Newport Pride Velvet Ball, hosted by the Newport Pride Center, is this year’s biggest celebration of Newport’s LGBTQ+ community, and the theme, an evening in Spain, promises sangria, flamenco, and a Mediterranean mood set against one of Newport’s grandest historic mansions.

A Night Built Around Celebration and Community

The Velvet Ball is Newport Pride’s signature annual fundraiser, and this year it comes with a special honoree: Mario Hilario, the award-winning NBC 10 news anchor, will be recognized for his visibility and support of the community. Guests can expect flamenco performances woven through the evening, sangria flowing freely, and the kind of warm, celebratory atmosphere that only a Spanish-inspired night at a Gilded Age mansion can deliver.

Why This Night Matters Beyond the Party

Behind the glamour, the Velvet Ball does real work. Funds raised go directly toward sustaining the Newport Pride Center, which operates year round as a safe space for the community, offering connection, resources, and free events and programming throughout the year. A single night at Ochre Court helps keep those doors open for the other 364 days.

Setting the Scene at Ochre Court

Few venues in Newport carry the kind of presence Ochre Court does. Built as a Gilded Age summer mansion, its grand halls and ornate detail give the Velvet Ball a backdrop that feels like stepping into another era, even while the night itself is thoroughly modern in spirit. Dressing up for an evening in Spain inside those walls is the kind of experience that lingers well past the final dance.

Plan Your Evening

The Annual Newport Pride Velvet Ball takes place Saturday, November 14 from 6:00 to 10:00 PM at Ochre Court Mansion, 100 Ochre Point Avenue, Newport. Whether you come to celebrate, to support the Pride Center’s year round work, or simply to enjoy flamenco and sangria in a stunning setting, this is one night on the Newport calendar worth dressing up for.