Frequently Asked Questions

If your question is not answered, please email us at [email protected].

Planning to Attend

Is WaterFire Free?

Yes! Admission to all WaterFire lighting is free. However, that does not mean that WaterFire lightings are free to produce. We ask that all of our guests consider donating $5 to WaterFire Providence. We need your support. Make your donation at one of the Official WaterFire Providence Guest Stations located throughout the park. By donating $3 or more you will receive a luminous blue Ribbon of Light so you can become a part of the art and add your light to the night. The flow of the blue Ribbons of Light will echo the flow of the water and surround the entire park with a Ribbon of Light.

Add your light to the night:
Visit one of our Luminaria Stations and make a $5 donation in exchange for lighting your own luminaria candle lantern and writing out a dedication card with your light.

Starry, Starry Night:
Visit our Starry, Stary Night installation in Memorial Park; wish upon a star and hang it overhead, also light two luminaria candle lanterns in exchange for a $20 donation.

WaterFire Providence is an independent 501(c)3 non-profit arts organization and all contributions are tax-deductible. WaterFire is made possible by the generosity of visitors like you.

You can donate online.

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Is WaterFire Providence run by the city or the state?

Neither, although WaterFire Providence does receive some support from the City of Providence and the State of Rhode Island most of our funds come from our corporate sponsors, Brazier Society members, and individual donors like you. WaterFire Providence is an independent 501(c)3 non-profit arts organization and we depend on your donations and support to keep the fires burning.

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Is WaterFire an artwork?

The art installation known as WaterFire was created by the artist, Barnaby Evans, in 1994. WaterFire Providence is an independent non-profit organization that was formed in 1997 with a mission to make the WaterFire art installation an ongoing event in Providence. Barnaby Evans is the artistic and executive director of WaterFire Providence.

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Is there a WaterFire Providence event every weekend?

No. Sadly we cannot afford to showcase WaterFire Providence every weekend. Our dates are largely determined by the extent of your support. Please donate now to help keep the fires burning.

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When will the next WaterFire Providence event take place?

Please visit our Season Schedule page for the current season dates; make sure you check back frequently for additions and updates. WaterFire Providence events usually take place between May and November. The dates for each season are typically released in April of that year.

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What is the difference between a Full Lighting and a Partial Lighting?

All Full WaterFire lightings light up over eighty braziers from Waterplace Park to Memorial/South Main Street Park on scheduled evenings throughout the season. Lighting occurs shortly after sunset and the fires will remain lit until midnight (unless otherwise noted). Full lightings include onshore programming such as performance stages, art and food vendor, and the Starry, Starry Night installation in Memorial Park.

Basin Lightings include the circle of twenty-two braziers in the Waterplace Park Basin and the eight braziers leading up to the Providence Place Mall.

Partial Lightings can include braziers in any section of the river. Examples include a Memoria Park Lighting which would include the 12 wall-mounted braziers in Memorial Park or a “Basin to Steeple Street” lighting which would include all the braziers in Waterplace Park as well as the braziers in the two downstream sections of the installations ending at the Steeple Street Bridge. Typically Basin and Partial lightings of WaterFire do not include onshore programming or food vendors unless otherwise noted.

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Are there weather updates for the event?

Visit our Breaking News & Special Events page at www.waterfire.org/now; where you will find the latest updates for our upcoming event. WaterFire Providence is only canceled when there are serious weather concerns. WaterFire is a rain-or-shine event.

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What kind of boating services and policies are there at WaterFire Providence?

WaterFire Providence does not operate or arrange for boat tours or rentals for the general public on the river. The river is closed to all boat traffic on WaterFire nights from sunset to midnight upstream of the Crawford Street Bridge. WaterFire is intended to be viewed from the shore. We encourage anyone who would like to see WaterFire Providence from the water to join us in creating this work of art as a volunteer on the fire-tending boats.

Public Boat Rides

There are two companies that offer private boat rides during WaterFire lightings La Gondola and the Providence River Boat Company. Learn more.

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Where do I park for the Event?

There are many parking lots located near the WaterFire event footprint. Please visit the Parking/Directions section of our website for details.

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What public transportation to WaterFire Providence is available?

Amtrak offers weekend service to Providence. The Amtrak station is one block from WaterFire. Call Amtrak at 800-USA-RAIL for schedules and fares.

Peter Pan Bus Lines offers service to Providence. Upon arriving at the Peter Pan Bus Terminal, transfer to the shuttle bus to Kennedy Plaza. Kennedy Plaza is one block from WaterFire. Call Providence Peter Pan at (401) 751-8800 for schedules and fares.

Greyhound Bus Lines offers service to Providence. Their terminal is located about two blocks from WaterFire. Call the Providence Greyhound at (401) 454-0790 for schedules and fares.

Numerous airlines have convenient service to Providence’s T. F. Green Airport. Taxi service from the airport to downtown is about $25 one way. A shuttle van servicing downtown hotels and universities is available for $9 one way. The most convenient stop request for the shuttle van for visiting WaterFire is the Omni Providence Hotel. Call (401) 737-2868 for reservations.

When you are in Providence, RIPTA, The Rhode Island Department of Transportation, offers bus and trolley services around the city.

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Can I bring my pet?

Most dogs seem to love WaterFire Providence! Leashed dogs and other animals are always welcome to join you at WaterFire Providence, provided that they are safe and will be comfortable in large crowds. WaterFire can get fairly crowded, so consider your animal’s comfort and temperament. Please bring plastic bags to clean up after any messes and be careful to monitor your pet. There are no doggie cleanup bag dispensers in the park.

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Is WaterFire Providence accessible for those in wheelchairs?

Yes, most of the park is accessible, but there are cobblestones on many of the paths. WaterFire has an access boat program for use by those in wheelchairs to have a close-up experience at WaterFire. Funding for our access boat Sandra Jane has been generously given by various community groups and foundations. More information about the WaterFire Providence Access Program.

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How much does it cost to produce each WaterFire Providence event?

WaterFire Providence operates all year round, with many costs. Among those are labor, music rights, insurance, transportation, brazier upkeep, boats, docks, programs, building materials, firewood, performers, audio equipment, police, permits, and other expenses. Our annual budget is approximately 4 million dollars.  Each year nearly 1 million people come to downtown Providence to experience WaterFire contributing over $149,000,000 to the local economy, generating over $9,000,000 of direct tax revenue for the State of Rhode Island, and supporting 1,294 jobs for community residents and strengthening Providence’s Creative Capital and Rhode Island’s State for the Arts brands.

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Is WaterFire Providence entirely produced by volunteers?

Although volunteers are an essential part of each WaterFire event, WaterFire Providence does have a dedicated full-time year-round staff of 30 people who work hard every day to make the event happen.

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How can I get involved with WaterFire Providence?

Join us as a volunteer by signing up for an opportunity on our Volunteer HQ. We hold volunteer orientation events several times a year, but you don’t need to participate in an orientation to start your volunteer experience.

There are many ways you can get involved with WaterFire Providence by volunteering. WaterFire Providence is always looking for volunteers. Our volunteers do everything from greeting guests to the setup and breakdown of our signature events to feeding the fires.

Become a Volunteer.

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How do I apply to become a performer at WaterFire Providence?

All performing artists must be approved by WaterFire Providence to be able to perform during events. Your inquiry will be carefully reviewed by our team for consideration. Fill out our performance inquiry form to be considered as a performer for the 2014 WaterFire Providence event season.

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Will there be Fireworks at WaterFire?

Probably not. Although we do occasionally work with sponsors to produce events that include pyrotechnic elements the majority of WaterFire events do not include fireworks of any kind.

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At The Event

Where can I get more information about WaterFire Providence?

During WaterFire Providence events there are Official Guest Stations illuminated by columns of blue light. Please make a donation here too. Please come by and visit with all your questions about WaterFire, visit with our Volunteer Ambassadors, write your comments in our guest books, make a tax-deductible donation or purchase WaterFire merchandise.

You can also refer to the map of WaterFire Providence.

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Where can I purchase official WaterFire Providence Merchandise?

During events, the WaterFire Store on Canal Street (between Steeple and Washington Streets) is open from 4:30 pm until 11:30 pm. You can also visit our Online Store to purchase Official WaterFire Merchandise.

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The Music of WaterFire

The music program for each event is available to be downloaded from our website prior to each event. At the event, WaterFire Providence offers visitors a chance to see what song is currently playing on our digital media screens located at each Official WaterFire Providence Guest Station. There is also an archive of music programs available on our website.

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Where can I find the restrooms?

Restroom facilities are located in the lobby of the RISD auditorium and in the Providence Place Mall. Portable toilets are available at the following locations: on Finance Way across from the Providence Place Mall, on Memorial Blvd near the GTECH 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 are open from about two hours before sunset until the end of the event.

WaterFire Event Map

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Where can I find an ATM?

There are many convenient ATMs nearby at the Providence Place Mall (several), the Amtrak train station, the Citizen’s Bank Tower (Citizen’s ATM), the Sovereign Bank Tower, and outside of Hemenway’s Restaurant at the south end of the park (Citizen’s).

WaterFire Event Map

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Is there a lost and found?

All found items should be returned to The WaterFire Store on Canal Street.

If you lose an item at WaterFire Providence, please visit The WaterFire Store on Canal Street that evening or call the WaterFire Providence office at (401) 273-1155 the following Monday to see if we have retrieved it. The WaterFire Providence offices are open Monday to Friday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm to accept your lost and found queries.

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Where is the safe point for missing children?

Missing children should be brought to the WaterFire Marketplace tents located on Canal Street during the event and parents should report here to reconnect with them. This site is continually staffed by WaterFire employees. Parents can call (401) 280-3220 to contact the WaterFire Marketplace during events.

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