Your Torchbearer Moment Awaits

For 500 lightings, WaterFire has brought people together at the edge of the river. What began in 1994 as an unexpected spark along the Providence River has grown into an internationally recognized work of art that transforms the city through fire, water, music, and community. In 2026, WaterFire marks its 500th lighting, a powerful milestone in the life of the work. This year, we’re Turning the Tide, honoring how small actions create lasting change.

To mark this moment, WaterFire is inviting the community to take part in a new way.

By becoming one of 500 Milestone Torchbearers in the 2026 season, supporters step into an active role in lighting the fires and sustaining WaterFire’s future. Each participant will walk down the steps of the basin during a lighting ceremony, entering the ritual at the heart of WaterFire. Torchbearers stand where light meets water and help bring the fires to life. Each participant will receive a commemorative photo to remember the moment they carried the flame forward.

Each torch procession welcomes up to 50 community members, offering an intimate and memorable way to experience the lighting. This special opportunity allows participants to join the procession and take part in bringing the fires to life.

“It is amazing to realize we have presented WaterFire 500 times! All of us are tremendously pleased that WaterFire has celebrated our community with 500 gatherings, honoring our heroes, observing important milestones, and bringing people and families together along Providence’s rivers. As we enter our next era, we invite the Rhode Island community to step into the circle of firelight and participate directly in the lighting ceremony itself by helping set the fires ablaze. Your support and help can ensure WaterFire continues to illuminate Providence for another 500 lightings,” said Barnaby Evans, Executive Artistic Director of WaterFire Providence.

Torchbearers must be comfortable walking down multiple steps into the basin of Waterplace Park while carrying a flaming torch weighing approximately 2 pounds. The lighting ceremony begins at sunset, with participants gathering along Finance Way for a brief safety meeting approximately 20 minutes prior. Torchbearers will carry and hold their lit torches for about 15 minutes as part of the procession.

Each lighting includes a limited number of Torchbearer spots, and participation is expected to fill throughout the season.

Be part of this milestone moment. Reserve your Torchbearer spot for the 2026 season.

For questions or inquiries, please contact Kellie Martin, Manager of Community and Corporate Relations, at kellie@waterfire.org or 401-443-5534.