Starts at Sunset on the Providence Pedestrian Bridge for NYE 2025

Wednesday, December 31
Starts at Sunset
Sunset (4:25 PM) to 9:00 PM

WaterFire Providence will hold the fourth Starts At Sunset event of 2025 on Tuesday, December 31, supported by the Providence Tourism Council (PTC). Starts at Sunset was created in 2023 and is a community gathering on the Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial Pedestrian Bridge. 

“Starts at Sunset Waterfire is a magical experience as part of the Providence Tourism Council’s New Year’s Eve Celebration, which we’re thrilled to host for the second consecutive year,” said Alexis Gorriarán, Chair and Commissioner of the Providence Tourism Council. “We’re honored to commemorate 30 years of WaterFire, which kicked off on New Year’s Eve, 1994. Providence’s vibrant sense of community and cultural offerings contribute to our thriving reputation as the Creative Capital and our New Year’s Eve programming and Illuminate PVD Fireworks display is a celebration of that unique spirit.”

The event on New Year’s Eve will mark over 30 years of WaterFire lighting events. On New Year’s Eve of 1994, Barnaby Evans held the first WaterFire lighting in the basin of the Providence River. For the Starts at Sunset event on Wednesday, December 31, five braziers will be lit at 5:30 PM and burn until 9:00 PM. 

Programming begins at 5:00 PM, including food trucks, local music, a 360 photo booth, and roaming entertainment, will be along the Michael S. Van Leesten Pedestrian Bridge and in 195 District Park. The Guild and Rhodium will be on hand to serve beverages to the 21+ crowd. 

Guests can also leave a New Year’s message at the iconic WaterFire phone booth located on the Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial Bridge.

At 8:30 PM, the Illuminate PVD Fireworks Show will begin. 195 District Park and the Michael Van Leesten Pedestrian Bridge offer the perfect vantage point for the fireworks on the Providence River.

For more information about the Providence New Year’s Eve Celebration and Illuminate PVD Fireworks Display, visit the Providence Tourism Council website https://www.providencetourismcouncil.org/nye.

Starts At Sunset is a community gathering on the Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial Pedestrian Bridge supported by the Providence Tourism Council (PTC).  This unique activation invites artists and observers to experience a night of immersive placemaking set against the backdrop of a picturesque sunset. WaterFire volunteers will be illuminating the bridge with the glow of five braziers.