Whether you are discovering WaterFire for the first time or stopping by to remember your WaterFire experience you will find a plethora of ways to relive the magic on our various social media channels. From video to photos and storytelling you find it here.
Don’t forget you can create new experiences by attending upcoming WaterFire lighting or events at the WaterFire Arts Center. Check out our Facebook pages for WaterFire Providence and the WaterFire Arts Center to keep abreast of the latest developments.
Browse our photo collections on our Flickr Photostream
Check out WaterFire Providence’s Pin Boards on Pinterest
Follow our Instagram feeds:
Light up the night for hope this Saturday! 🔥🎗️
This Saturday, October 3, join us for a Partial Lighting of WaterFire, supported by the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation, as we celebrate 20 years of Flames of Hope together.
• Onshore vendors & programming open at 5:30 PM
• Sunset at 6:23 PM; WaterFire boats begin lighting at 6:43 PM
• Fires burn until 10:00 PM
Watch the boats set out from the Crawford Street Bridge to light twelve braziers in Memorial Park and five on the Michael S. Van Leesten Pedestrian Bridge. Join us for the Illuminations of Life Torch Ceremony, as 150 breast cancer survivors and their loved ones carry torches from the Crawford Street Bridge to 195 District Park to honor those lost and those still fighting.
Shop the WaterFire Marketplace on College Street, and browse artist & maker vendors Pourever Creations, SepiaLepus Illustration, Joseph Mushipi, and Celeste Diaz Falzone. Grab a treat from Sarcastic Sweets, Newport Chowder, and Good Vibes Beverages. Enjoy music from Music By Mel on the College Street Acoustic Stage, add your light to the Starry, Starry Night installation in Memorial Park, and step into the WaterFire Phone Booth to leave a message for WaterFire’s future.
This lighting is made possible by the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation.
Full event details: waterfire.org/schedule
We have some difficult news to share about this Saturday’s WaterFire.
Due to the forecast for a significant nor’easter this weekend, the WaterFire full lighting on Saturday, September 26 is CANCELLED.
We didn’t make this call lightly. The safety of our guests, artists, vendors, volunteers, and staff comes first.
We’re happy to share that a new full lighting has been scheduled for Saturday, October 24!
Saturday, October 24
Onshore programming begins at 5:00 PM
Fires light at sunset, 5:50 PM
We can’t wait to see you by the fires next month! More details are coming in the weeks ahead. Link in bio for the latest updates.
#WaterFire #WaterFireProvidence #Providence #RhodeIsland #PVD ProvidenceRI RI
Starts At Sunset is happening TONIGHT on the Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial Pedestrian Bridge!
Live acoustic music from @LuisGilbertoRD starting at 7 PM. Braziers lit at sunset, burning until 9 PM. Food from The Guild Beer Garden and @tizzykscerealicecream. Rhode Island Legal Services on site with info on veteran support. WaterFire merch available at both bridge entrances.
Don’t miss the Starry, Starry Night installation on the river, celebrating the return of @pvdfilmfestival’s PVDFest this weekend.
Thursday, September 17.
Made possible by @providencetourism.
Join the Salute to Veterans Torch Ceremony
WaterFire invites Veterans and active duty service members to serve as Torchbearers for the Lighting Ceremony at WaterPlace Park in Providence, Rhode Island, on Saturday, November 7th. Veterans carrying torches will process into the WaterPlace Park Basin and form a Ring of Fire as the WaterFire braziers are lit.
🕓 4:00 PM Ceremony | 5:00 PM Lighting
📍 WaterPlace Park, Providence, RI
If you are a Veteran who requires mobility assistance, Stationary Torchbearer positions are available — you won’t walk in the procession, but you’ll still hold a torch during the ceremony. Just note this on the sign-up form.
Scan the code or tap the link in our bio to sign up as a Torchbearer.
Honoring all who served. 🔥🇺🇸
🔥 Join us on the Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial Pedestrian Bridge Thursday night for our Starts At Sunset event (Thursday, September 17)! Made possible by the support of the Providence Tourism Council (PTC) @providencetourism!
🎶 Enjoy an acoustic performance by Luis Gilberto (@LuisGilbertoRD) starting at 7:00 PM! Braziers will be lit at sunset (6:51 PM) and burn until 9:00 PM.
🍺🍦 Enjoy bites and treats from The Guild Beer Garden and Tizzy K’s Cereal Ice Cream (@tizzykscerealicecream)!
✨ Once the sun goes down, don’t miss the Starry, Starry, Night installation on the river, celebrating the return of @pvdfilmfestival’s PVDFest this weekend!
🎗️ Rhode Island Legal Services will also be on the bridge, sharing info on their services — including legal support for veterans.
🔥 WaterFire merch will be available at both bridge entrances, with opportunities for donations.
📸: Mike Hayes
Come see Liquid Sunshine’s artwork this evening at the WaterFire lighting!
Bring your light to celebrate Labor Day weekend on the water!
This Sunday, September 6, join us for a Full Lighting of WaterFire — supported by the Providence Tourism Council.
• Onshore vendors & programming open at 6:00 PM
• Braziers lit at 7:10 PM & burn until midnight
Shop the WaterFire Marketplace on Canal Street, catch live glass blowing by Gather Glass, and browse artist & maker vendors along Washington and College Streets. Take in music from FM Collective and Your Friend Moon, watch Liquid Sunshine’s illuminated sculpture come to life on the College Street Bridge, and add your light to the Starry, Starry Night installation at Memorial Park.
Walk along the basin, watch the fires burn, and soak in one last idyllic summer evening in Providence before the season turns.
This lighting is made possible by the Providence Tourism Council.
Full event details: waterfire.org/schedule
Bring your light to add to an illuminated night!
This Saturday, August 29, join us for a Full Lighting at WaterFire!
• Fires lit at sunset 7:23 PM & burn until 12:00 AM
• Onshore programming & vendors open at 6:30 PM
Walk along the basin, watch the fires burn, and soak in an idyllic summer evening in Providence.
This lighting is made possible by J.P. Morgan and FM.
Full event details: waterfire.org/events/saturday-august-29-2026/
Photograph by Doug Moorcroft
Say hello to Pamela Fernández (@pamelaamfernandez), one of six artists in the 2026 WaterFire Accelerate Cohort.
Over the past year, Pamela has grown alongside her fellow cohort members Aja Delgado (@ajaprint), Leia Fifer (@chernobylstray), Yasmine Hassan (@ysmnhssn), Amelia Rozear (@arozear), and Rachel Turner (@rachelturner2), each pushing their practice in new directions as individuals and as a group.
Their exhibition “Lost & Found” is now on view at @waterfireartscenter through October 11.
Pamela is a Providence-based interdisciplinary artist who immigrated from the Dominican Republic at a young age. In the studio, she pieces together fragments of lived experience, family stories, and media to explore questions of ancestry, culture, and home, and how they shape her identity and her connection to the wider Caribbean diaspora.
Stop by and see how far this year has taken all six of them, and join us on the show’s closing day, Sunday, October 11 at 3 p.m., for an artist panel with the full cohort.
📸 @stranger_beings / @jo.christopher
#WaterFireAccelerate #LostAndFound #ArtistCohort #SupportLocalArtists #EmergingArtists
Experience this exhibition for yourself.
Lost & Found currently in the gallery.
Current @waterfireaccelerate cohort:
Aja Delgado @ajaprint @ajaarian
Pamela Fernández @pamelaamfernandez
Leia Fifer @chernobylstray
Yasmine Hassan @ysmnhssn
Amelia Rozear @arozear
Rachel Turner @rachelturner2
#providencearts #artistssupportingartists #lost&found
What a night! Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 10th Annual FireBall: Turning the Tide on Wednesday, September 16 at the WaterFire Arts Center.
From the red carpet to the aerialists overhead, the lion dance to the glow of the fire, it was an unforgettable celebration of art, light, and community as WaterFire steps into a bold new chapter.
Thank you to our Committee Chair Margaret Brassard (@margaretbrassard), our Host and Honorary Committees, and our generous sponsors: Russell Morin Catering & Events (@morinscatering), Brassard Events (@brassardevents), Elaine & Barry Fain, Michael & Beth Huber, Hey Rhody Media Co. (@heyrhody), Dimeo Construction Company (@dimeoconstruct), Jon & Julie Duffy, Gather Ice Cream (@gathercafepvd), GoProvidence (@goprovidence), ISCO Spirits (@iscospirits), Starkweather & Shepley (@starshepins), and United Valet Parking (@unitedparking).
Every dollar raised at FireBall helps keep the fires burning and supports WaterFire’s year-round mission. Missed the night? You can still be part of it by making a donation at the link in bio.
Here’s to turning the tide, together.
Photos by Jen Bonin and Jourdan Christopher (@jo.christopher)
#FireBall2026 #WaterFire #WaterFireProvidence #WaterFireArtsCenter Providence #RhodeIsland PVD
Gallery Night is TONIGHT! 🎉 6:30PM Bus Art Tour departs from WaterFire Arts Center — come explore Providence’s art scene with us!
Haven’t registered yet? There’s still time — pay-what-you-can tours are running all evening. Register via link in @gallerynightprovidence bio. ✨
While you’re at WaterFire Arts Center, don’t miss Lost & Found, an exhibition by the 2026 WaterFire Accelerate cohort - on view until October 11!
🚌 5:30PM Bus Tour stopping at Art in the Atrium at @firstupprovidence, The Gallery at Central, @chazanfamilygallery, and @angellstreetgalleries
🚶 5:45PM Walking Tour stopping at @as220galleries and @134collaborative
🚶 6PM Walking Tour stopping at @risdlibrary, @riphotoarts, and @risdmuseum
🚶 6PM Valley Arts District Walking Tour stopping at OPEN, @make_do_studios, @auntyshousestudio, and @anyhowstudioprovidence
🚌⭐ 6:15PM Bus Tour stopping at ritual_spaces, @pdtclubhouse, @studiohop.ri and Mystery Stop
🚌 6:30PM Bus Tour stopping at @bannistergallery, @bignazo, Barnaby Castle Carriage House, and @waterfireartscenter
See you out there tonight! 🎨
The best way to get a boat ride at WaterFir is to Volunteer!! Be one of the people onboard the Woodboats to feed the fires throughout the night! Join us on Sunday September 6th for your chance! Interested? Email us at Volunteer@waterfire.org to get started!! #WaterFire #Volunteer #boats #community
August 29th is the next Full WaterFire! If being a WaterFire Volunteer was on your Summer bingo list come get it checked off!
There are still some spots left for Starry Starry Night! You’ll help people make wishes, write dedications, and burn their negativity! Sign up by going to https://share.vomevolunteer.com/5oZW7xLzJ5b
Next week the 2026 Captains Training begins!! We are looking for the next generation of leaders! For more information email us at Volunteer@waterfire.org
Join us for Spark Night at 6 PM on March 26, at the WaterFire Arts Center. Learn how you can get involved. Visit the link in our bio to sign up.
#waterfire #providenceri #volunteer #waterfireprovidence
