WaterFire Providence
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WaterFire Providence, the award-winning sculpture by Barnaby Evans installed on three rivers in downtown Providence, has been praised by Rhode Island residents and visitors alike as a powerful work of art and a moving symbol of Providence's Renaissance. No ticket required no cover charge, there are no prerequisites, WaterFire does not draw lines. You come to be wowed by the spectacle; to see, feel
05/27/2026
🔥 Join us for WaterFire's 500th lighting — Saturday, May 30, 7 PM to Midnight (fires lit at sunset, 8:12 PM) — made possible thanks to our sponsor, Rhode Island School of Design !
This milestone evening marks 500 lightings since WaterFire's first spark on the Providence River in 1994. We're Turning the Tide, honoring how small actions create lasting change, and celebrating the artists and designers RISD nurtures each year. The lighting coincides with ✨ RISD's Commencement Weekend, welcoming families and friends from around the world to honor the Class of 2026.
Leading up to Saturday:
🎨 Explore the RISD Grad Show — a stunning 43,000-square-foot exhibition of master’s work across 19 departments — on view through May 30. 📍
✨ Don’t miss the Apparel Design Runway Show, debuting bold new collections this Wednesday, May 27 at 4 & 7 PM!
🛍️ Shop RISD Craft — over 100 alumni artists + designers — on Benefit Street, 11 AM–5 PM, May 30
We're proud to partner with RISD to illuminate this powerful moment for our community and for emerging artists everywhere.
Want to be part of history? 500 Milestone Torchbearers will walk into the basin this season and help bring the fires to life. Reserve your spot at the link in bio!
📸 Andrew Hsieh
RISDCraft RISDFashionShow Art4Impact
“I had the absolute honor of being a torchbearer for WaterFire and it’s something I’ll never forget.” —Blake Johnson 🔥
This season, we’re inviting 500 community members to become Milestone Torchbearers in honor of WaterFire’s 500th lighting. Help ignite the fires and become part of a Rhode Island tradition that has brought people together for decades.
Whether you’ve loved WaterFire since childhood or are experiencing it for the first time, this is a powerful way to celebrate a milestone of your own while directly supporting WaterFire Providence.
🔥 Limited spots remain for this Saturday, May 30.
(( Link in bio to sign up! ))
Carry the flame. 🔥
Join WaterFire’s 500th lighting season as a Milestone Torchbearer and be part of the tradition.
https://waterfire.org/your-torchbearer-moment-awaits/
PVD RhodeIsland
ArtInstallation PublicArt LiveArt
ThingsToDoRI NewEnglandEvents
Community BeTheLight CarryTheFlame
Our staff answered the call as to why RI should support WaterFire this 401Gives! ❤️🔥☎️✨
Open today both in the store + gallery until 5pm! Stop by, spend some time with the work, and take it in before it’s gone on 3/1!
Featuring work by:
Dominic Cunningham
Chantel Bollinger
Decatur Foster
Prinshu Gautam
David Vuong
Nadia Nazar
Kit Grindeland
Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.
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Telephone
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Address
4 North Main Street
Providence, RI
02903
