Saturday, July 8

July 8, 2023
Supported by Dunkin’
Full Lighting of WaterFire
Food, artist vendors, and other activations open at 6:30 p.m.
Sunset (8:22 pm) – Midnight
Music Program

WaterFire Providence announces a full lighting this Saturday, July 8, supported by Dunkin’. The lighting will begin at 8:22 p.m. and the braziers will remain lit until midnight.* 

“WaterFire has been an iconic staple in both Rhode Island’s local community and the global arts space for decades. Our team at Dunkin’ is incredibly proud to partner with WaterFire to help put on this weekend’s celebration,” said Molly Mills, field marketing director, Dunkin’.  “We’re looking forward to spending a fun and memorable evening in downtown Providence with tens of thousands of our friends and neighbors from across the region.”

Dunkin’ will bring the College Street Bridge to life with the “Dunkin’ Pavilion”, inviting the public to indulge in complimentary coffee, donuts, and yard games. 

The WaterFire Arts Festival Plaza kicks off Washington Street and Steeple Street from 6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. where visitors can 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 some of the great artwork created in Rhode Island and offer visitors the opportunity to support the local arts economy by purchasing work by Rhode Island-based artists.

Dunkin’ will join the WaterFire Arts Festival Plaza from 6-11 p.m., with an interactive activity for kids featuring coloring books and crayons as well as a collaborative art piece where guests can help make a WaterFire-themed stained glass mosaic provided by Jeanne Raia from Glimmerglass Stained Glass. 

• Due to low tides in the rivers at lighting time, the braziers below the Providence Place Mall, the Confluence, and the small section near the RISD flag poles will not be lit until approximately 9:30 pm. Thank you for your understanding.

On Washington Street, visitors can explore Sparkle & Glow by Yvonne, Jades Gems, Jules Sharpe, K&T jewelry and Accessories, In The Woods,  Maera Glass Sundries, Broken Arrow Studios, Eric Sturtevant Illustrations, Sunu Body,  Tigris Handmade, Recycled Silverware. On Steeple Street: GlassMonkey, Treats My Dog Eats, Revibed Vinyl, Celeste Diaz Falzone, The Dapper Flapper, Roses N Dragons Designs, Jessie Jewels Art, Maeven in Me, and WaterFire Accelerate Artist Sav Hazard-Chaney will also have their artwork displayed for purchase as well as doing live rug tufting demonstrations on Steeple Street. 

The Dunkin’ Music Stage on Steeple Street will feature local musical act, Funkademic. There will be three sets throughout the night, at 8 p.m., 9 p.m., and 10 p.m. 

WaterFire Marketplace will return to Canal Street, 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 the DipJar and glass blowing by Gather Glass. WaterFire will also have additional ambassador and merchandise stations in front of the RISD Auditorium, and both sides of the basin in Waterplace Park.

Lily the Statue by A Silent Soapbox on Washington Street. Photograph by Scott Friedman.

Ten31 Living Statues in Memorial Park. Photograph by Tom Bachman.

Fire spinner Ember Flynne performs at WaterFire. Photograph by Kevin Murray.

Origami Master Andrew Anselmo at WaterFire. Photograph by Drew Christhilf.

Andrew Anselmo, Origami Master will be hanging out all night at Market Square and visitors can find A Silent Soapbox living statue at the bottom of Washington Street Bridge and Canal Walk starting at sunset. Ten31 Productions will be illuminating the World War Monument in Memorial Park. 

The Starry, Starry Night installation returns to Memorial Park near the Crawford Street Bridge; add your light to the night by wishing on a star or dedicate a luminaria candle lantern.

Food fairs will be open on Washington Street, College Street, and Canal Walk. Enjoy local food from festival favorites. On Washington Street: Kettle Korn Express, One2Taco&More, Full House Q, The Incredabowl Food Company, Duck Press, and Caribbean Delights.

Trinity Brewhouse will have two locations, one on the corner of Canal and Steeple Street, and the other on the corner of Canal and Washington Street. They will be serving up local brews and wine from 6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.. 

Catch three fire-spinning performances beginning at 8:30 p.m. and continuing at 9:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. by Cirque de Light.