A Full WaterFire Lighting is Now Scheduled for October 24
We have some difficult news to share about this Saturday’s WaterFire.
Due to the potential for a significant nor’easter to bring heavy rainfall and powerful winds to Rhode Island this weekend, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the full WaterFire lighting scheduled for Saturday, September 26.
While the storm’s exact track and intensity remain uncertain, current forecasts indicate conditions that could create unsafe and potentially dangerous circumstances for attendees, artists, vendors, volunteers, and staff.
Canceling a WaterFire lighting is an extraordinary measure that we do not take lightly. We know this will be disappointing, especially for those who have made plans to join us. Given the potential severity of this storm, we believe canceling Saturday’s lighting is the responsible course of action.
But there is good news: we’ve now scheduled October 24!
We are incredibly grateful that we’ve been able to schedule the full WaterFire lighting for Saturday, October 24, 2026.
The October 24 event will be a full WaterFire lighting, with vendors, onshore programming, and community activations.
Saturday, October 24
- Vendors and onshore programming open at 5:00 PM
- Sunset is at 5:50 PM
- Fires burn until 10:00 PM
We’re working with our artists, vendors, partners, and community collaborators now to finalize the details for October 24. We’ll share more about the event and programming in the coming weeks.
More WaterFire This October
There are still several opportunities to experience WaterFire throughout October:
- Saturday, October 3
Partial lighting in Memorial Park and 195 District Park, supported by the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation - Saturday, October 17
Full lighting, presented by the United Way of Rhode Island
Celebrating a century of community, connection, and action—and lighting the way for the next hundred years. - Saturday, October 24
Full lighting, rescheduled from September 26 - Thursday, October 29
Starts at Sunset event at the Michael S. Van Leesten Pedestrian Bridge, presented by the Providence Tourism Council
About the author
Jourdan Christopher brings a diverse creative background to WaterFire, spanning marketing, storytelling, branding, photography, videography, and design. A Detroit native now based in Providence, Jourdan spent years as a freelance photographer before founding One Oak Artwear, a sustainable fashion brand built on upcycled materials and one-of-a-kind design. That same eye for storytelling and craft now informs the work he brings to WaterFire — capturing moments, building brand narratives, and helping bring community and art together in new ways.
