Smoke on the Rails, otherwise known as the Darrell Ross Memorial BBQ Cookoff, is an annual BBQ competition sactioned by the Memphis BBQ Association and held in historic downtown Newbern in June.

The city of Newbern celebrates the long-running history of its railroad during the Depot Days.

Every year, Newbern residents gather for Halloween on Historic Main Street. This block party is a free family affair where you can find the best of Halloween festivities, such as trick-or-treating, a hayride, costume contest, and Cup Cake Walk.