Tonight: WaterFire – the spirit of Rhode Island

Join thousands of Rhode Islanders to welcome the summer season and a renewal of gatherings and celebrations, especially the outdoor kind.

The WaterFire tradition opens tonight, Saturday, June 4th with the first Full Lighting at sunset – approximately 8:16pm and running until midnight. The event is so much more than the iconic lighting of cauldrons on the water – there are musical programs, vendors, food, art, shopping, and more. The “onshore” programming begins earlier – around 6:30pm – so gather the family, bring some friends, and enjoy an evening out.

Get the details on tonight’s Music Program.

This full lighting of WaterFire is supported by Rhode Island School of Design. “Rhode Island School of Design is pleased to sponsor the first full lighting of WaterFire’s 2022 season as we welcome our alumni and families to Providence for Commencement and Reunion Weekend,” said Bethany Costello, executive director of RISD’s Center for Community Partnerships. “The lighting is a wonderful addition to the many lively events RISD has planned for its multi-day campus celebration. We look forward to joining with the wider Providence community on the riverwalk for this special edition of the signature WaterFire event on June 4.”

The Starry, Starry Night, and Luminaria Dedication installations in Memorial Park are back for the 2022 lighting season (Photos: Erin Cudddigan)

Luminaria Installation at the WWII Monument. Photo by Emily Chadwick

Arts Festival Plaza, Food Fairs, WaterFire Marketplace, more… Photo: Jennifer Bedford

The WaterFire Arts Festival Plaza kicks off Washington Street and Steeple Street from 6:30 PM to 11:00 PM. Browse and shop from a variety of local artists and makers in mediums such as glass, photography, jewelry, and more. This outdoor artisan fair will showcase artwork created in Rhode Island and offers visitors the opportunity to support the local arts economy by purchasing work by Rhode Island based artists and makers. Exhibiting artists & makers will include Joseph Mushipi, Uncouth Curations, Regina Theresa Design, Astr Noir, Deb Hickey, Stone Soup, K & T Accessories, A Poet’s Hand, Slay Natural Products, M Pearl, Sparkles & Glow, Odettas, and Recycled Silverware. WaterFire Accelerate. Artists will have their artwork displayed for purchase on Steeple Street, also.

Food Fairs on Washington Street. Enjoy local food from festival favorites: Sprout & Lentil, Saugy’s, Full House Q, Kettle Korn Express, Red’s Street Kitchen, Nanu Burmese Fusion, and Caribbean Delights.

Food Fairs on College Street. Enjoy local food from festival favorites: Madonna Rosario Society, and One2 Taco & More.

Trinity Brewhouse’s Beer Garden will be open on Steeple Street.

WaterFire Marketplace will return to Canal Street, where you can stop by to support WaterFire with a donation or a purchase of locally designed apparel, glassware, books, and gifts. Make a quick and easy donation with DipJar, pin where you are from on Map Center’s maps, and watch glass blowing by Gather Glass.

Origami Master Andrew Anselmo will also be at WaterFire

Sunset – 11:00 pm – A Silent Soapbox living statue performer will be located at the bottom of the Washington Street Bridge and Canal Walk.

___

A safety note: Stay for a few hours – as there remain concerns about walking through downtown late at night. Walk with friends, remember where you parked, or make good use of Uber and public transportation. If you plan on eating downtown prior to the event, or up on Federal Hill, make sure to make a reservation as restaurants are expected to be full. Designate a meeting place if you should get separated. Wear good walking shoes and be cautious of surfaces as much construction is underway all around, and cobblestones and bricks can be uneven.

Restroom facilities are located in the lobby of the RISD auditorium and in the Providence Place Mall. Portable toilets are planned at the following locations: on Finance Way across from the Providence Place Mall, on Memorial Blvd near the IGT building, on Washington Street near the WaterFire Arts Festival Plaza, on South Main Street near College Street, and on Dyer Street near the Irish Famine Memorial. The RISD facilities are open to the public from the start of WaterFire Providence until about 11:30. The portable facilities open from about two hours before sunset until the end of the event.

More details here: https://waterfire.org

Remainder of the Waterfire schedule – both full and partial lightings:

Friday, June 10
Partial Lighting, Waterplace Park
Sunset (8:20 pm) – 10:00 pm

Saturday, June 25
Full Lighting
Sunset (8:25 pm) – Midnight

Saturday, July 30
RI Defeats Hep C
Full Lighting
Sunset (8:06 pm) – Midnight

Saturday, August 13
Celebrating Rhode Island’s Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Communities
Full Lighting
Sunset (7:48 pm) – Midnight

Saturday, August 27
Clear Currents Community Paddling Night
Full Lighting
Sunset (7:27 pm) – Midnight

Saturday, September 3
Labor Day Weekend
Partial Lighting, Waterplace Park
Sunset (7:16 pm) – 10:00 pm

Saturday, September 24
Celebrating Educational Excellence in RI with RI Department of Education
Full Lighting
Sunset (6:39 pm) – Midnight

Saturday, November 5
WaterFire Salute to Veterans
Full Lighting
Sunset (5:35 pm) – 10:00 pm

Saturday, December 3
WaterFire’s Holiday Celebration
Partial Lighting, Waterplace Park
Sunset (4:15 pm) – 9:00 pm