Festivals & Expos
Providence features a full slate of festivals, expos and shows celebrating art, culture, food and more throughout the year. Check out events like PVDFest, the Home Show, the Bolivian Festival and Comic Con, to name a few, and start planning.
Featured Festivals & Expos Events
Federal Hill Columbus Day Festival
Providence
The Federal Hill Commerce Association is proud to present the 41st Annual Galbani Columbus Weekend Festival, happening October 9 – 12, 2026, in the heart of historic Federal Hill. Stretching from Dean Street to Sutton Street on Atwells Avenue, this beloved tradition presents something for everyone to enjoy.We are thrilled to welcome back the fan-favorite La Cucina Galbani Cooking Stage located at America Street and Atwells Avenue, serving up live demos and delicious inspiration all weekend. Enjoy over 80 food, art, and retail vendors, plus family-friendly games and amusement rides. Three live entertainment stages will fill the avenue with nonstop vibrant performances throughout the weekend.Don’t miss the flavors of Federal Hill – more than 26 restaurants offer expanded seating and special dishes just for the celebration. A sampling of participants includes Trattoria Appia, Venda Ravioli, Tonys Colonial, Providence Oyster Bar, Cafe Italia, and Cassarinos. The Federal Hill Commerce Association is proud to present the 41st Annual Galbani Columbus Weekend Festival, happening October 9 – 12, 2026, in the heart of historic Federal Hill. Stretching from Dean Street to Sutton Street on Atwells Avenue, this beloved tradition presents something for everyone to enjoy.We are thrilled to welcome back the fan-favorite La Cucina Galbani Cooking Stage located at America Street and Atwells Avenue, serving up live demos and delicious inspiration all weekend. Enjoy over 80 food, art, and retail vendors, plus family-friendly games and amusement rides. Three live entertainment stages will fill the avenue with nonstop vibrant performances throughout the weekend.Don’t miss the flavors of Federal Hill – more than 26 restaurants offer expanded seating and special dishes just for the celebration. A sampling of participants includes Trattoria Appia, Venda Ravioli, Tonys Colonial, Providence Oyster Bar, Cafe Italia, and Cassarinos.
Find Out More Find Out More
Federal Hill Columbus Day Festival
The Federal Hill Commerce Association is proud to present the 41st Annual Galbani Columbus Weekend Festival, happening October 9 – 12, 2026, in the heart of historic Federal Hill. Stretching from Dean Street to Sutton Street on Atwells Avenue, this beloved tradition presents something for everyone to enjoy.We are thrilled to welcome back the fan-favorite La Cucina Galbani Cooking Stage located at America Street and Atwells Avenue, serving up live demos and delicious inspiration all weekend. Enjoy over 80 food, art, and retail vendors, plus family-friendly games and amusement rides. Three live entertainment stages will fill the avenue with nonstop vibrant performances throughout the weekend.Don’t miss the flavors of Federal Hill – more than 26 restaurants offer expanded seating and special dishes just for the celebration. A sampling of participants includes Trattoria Appia, Venda Ravioli, Tonys Colonial, Providence Oyster Bar, Cafe Italia, and Cassarinos.
The National Association of Black Storytellers, Inc. (NABS) proudly presents the 44th Annual National Black Storytelling Festival & Conference, to be held in Warwick, Rhode Island. This year’s theme, Unbreakable Spirit: Telling Our Story, 250 Years and Beyond, honors the enduring strength, cultural richness, and intergenerational legacy of Black storytelling in America.For over four decades, NABS has gathered tellers and listeners from across the African diaspora to celebrate our oral traditions through performance, fellowship, education, and community building. This year’s festival, co-hosted by Rhode Island Black Storytellers (RIBS), promises to be a powerful homecoming of voices, featuring dynamic storytelling concerts, workshops, youth programs, scholarly discussions, sacred rituals, and unforgettable cultural experiences. The National Association of Black Storytellers, Inc. (NABS) proudly presents the 44th Annual National Black Storytelling Festival & Conference, to be held in Warwick, Rhode Island. This year’s theme, Unbreakable Spirit: Telling Our Story, 250 Years and Beyond, honors the enduring strength, cultural richness, and intergenerational legacy of Black storytelling in America.For over four decades, NABS has gathered tellers and listeners from across the African diaspora to celebrate our oral traditions through performance, fellowship, education, and community building. This year’s festival, co-hosted by Rhode Island Black Storytellers (RIBS), promises to be a powerful homecoming of voices, featuring dynamic storytelling concerts, workshops, youth programs, scholarly discussions, sacred rituals, and unforgettable cultural experiences.
Find Out More Find Out More
The National Association of Black Storytellers, Inc. (NABS) proudly presents the 44th Annual National Black Storytelling Festival & Conference, to be held in Warwick, Rhode Island. This year’s theme, Unbreakable Spirit: Telling Our Story, 250 Years and Beyond, honors the enduring strength, cultural richness, and intergenerational legacy of Black storytelling in America.For over four decades, NABS has gathered tellers and listeners from across the African diaspora to celebrate our oral traditions through performance, fellowship, education, and community building. This year’s festival, co-hosted by Rhode Island Black Storytellers (RIBS), promises to be a powerful homecoming of voices, featuring dynamic storytelling concerts, workshops, youth programs, scholarly discussions, sacred rituals, and unforgettable cultural experiences.
Providence Food & Wine Festival
RI Seafood Festival
Providence
The Rhode Island Seafood Festival is an annual event which began in 2011 that brings together the best local purveyors of seafood and other fine fare as well as beer, wine and spirits from Ocean State producers.Your ticket covers admission into India Point Park for one or both days of the festival, depending on the ticket type you purchased. The ticket price includes a full day of live music from local bands, as well as access to our restaurant and art vendors. Food and drink are not included in the ticket price. The Rhode Island Seafood Festival is an annual event which began in 2011 that brings together the best local purveyors of seafood and other fine fare as well as beer, wine and spirits from Ocean State producers.Your ticket covers admission into India Point Park for one or both days of the festival, depending on the ticket type you purchased. The ticket price includes a full day of live music from local bands, as well as access to our restaurant and art vendors. Food and drink are not included in the ticket price.
Find Out More Find Out More
RI Seafood Festival
The Rhode Island Seafood Festival is an annual event which began in 2011 that brings together the best local purveyors of seafood and other fine fare as well as beer, wine and spirits from Ocean State producers.Your ticket covers admission into India Point Park for one or both days of the festival, depending on the ticket type you purchased. The ticket price includes a full day of live music from local bands, as well as access to our restaurant and art vendors. Food and drink are not included in the ticket price.
All Festivals & Expos Events
Start Date
End Date
Internationally acclaimed storytellers will captivate and educate audiences with tales deeply rooted in Black traditions. FUNDA FEST stands as a beacon of community impact and change.FUNDA means to teach and learn in Zulu and KiSwahili, and for 9 days, adults and children will be able to experience some of the best cultural arts programming across Rhode Island at venues that include schools, K-12, community and cultural arts centers, libraries, and theaters. Stories and storytelling make learning and cultural experiences fun for all ages. Funda Fest is known for the Free Family FUN Day concerts and workshops where intergenerational storytellers entertain and teach others of all ages how to tell their own stories. This year also includes FUNDA ACROSS RI, with mini Family Fun Days through the State.
Lumina Festival
Come enjoy a day outside where shopping, eating, music and friends are all brought together in one place! The Gaspee Days Arts & Crafts Festival is a free, fun and family-friendly experience that showcases over 100 fine artisans, community groups, and non-profits where you will find one-of-a-kind arts and delicious craft fair eats. Pawtuxet Park fills with live music by our hand-picked local bands while children enjoy the many amusements available. Over 60,000 people will walk up and down Narragansett Parkway on Memorial Day Weekend, enjoying the atmosphere of this long-time tradition. If you've never been, you're missing out so come join the fun!
Saint Joseph's Festival
The San Giuseppe Feast, or Feast of St. Joseph, was once a cherished tradition in Providence's Federal Hill neighborhood, celebrated annually on March 19th. This event honors St. Joseph, the patron saint of Sicily, who is believed to have ended a severe drought in the Middle Ages through his intercession. In gratitude, Sicilians began the custom of wearing red on this day, similar to wearing green on St. Patrick's Day. A highlight of the feast is the indulgence in zeppole—luscious Italian pastries filled with cream—available at local bakeries throughout Federal Hill. The Federal Hill Commerce Association is proud to bring this tradition back to honor and celebrate in warmer month from June 6-8. Festivities will include a procession along Atwells Avenue, two stages of live entertainment, meatball and zeppole contests, food from local restaurants and vendors, shopping, rides and games. Participants are encouraged to wear red in honor of St. Joseph.Friday 5 p.m. - 12 a.m.Saturday 11a.m. - 12 a.m.Sunday 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Annual Cape Verdean Independence Festival
Since 1976, the Rhode Island Cape Verdean Independence Day Festival is the oldest celebration of the Cape Verdean community in the United States. It preserves the Cape Verdean culture and celebrates the Cape Verdean heritage. The festival goes from noon to dusk and features traditional music, dance and food, along with a cultural, health/wellness and educational tents. We will also have this year arts and crafts from local artists including various activities for children.
FringePVD – The Providence Fringe Festival
FRINGEPVD features more than 300 performing artists from across the country sharing their work in theatre, dance, visual arts, and everything in between. Visit fringepvd.org for full event lineup.About FRINGEPVD The Providence Fringe Festival©:The largest Fringe Festival in New England, FRINGEPVD has grown rapidly since its inaugural year in 2014, bringing together more than three hundred individual theatre, music, dance, multi-media, and performing artists for five nights in traditional and non-traditional performance venues throughout Providence.
Dominican Festival & Parade of Rhode Island
NecronomiCon Providence
NecronomiCon Providence is an expansive exploration and celebration of all the greats of weird fiction, old and new, including predecessors and contemporaries of Providence’s H.P. Lovecraft and the many authors and artists who have forged their own paths of weird.Visit website for more information and updates for another incredible convention and festival. Providence welcomes you all.
Federal Hill Summer Festival
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the biggest festivals in Providence?
Providence’s calendar includes PVDFest, Rhode Island PrideFest, Rhode Island Comic Con and cultural celebrations like the Bolivian Festival, plus food, arts and music festivals throughout the year. New events are added often, so check back for the latest.
- When is Rhode Island Comic Con?
Rhode Island Comic Con takes place each fall at the Amica Mutual Pavilion and the Rhode Island Convention Center. The three-day event features celebrity guests, panels, vendors, games and cosplay.
- When are the Rhode Island home shows?
The Annual RI Home Show, with its RI Flower Show and Garden Experience, takes place each spring. The Providence Fall Home Show follows in November at the Rhode Island Convention Center, with dozens of exhibitors showcasing home improvement and design.
- Where are most expos held?
Many expos and shows take place at the Rhode Island Convention Center downtown, which has two connected parking garages and is steps from hotels, restaurants and Providence Place.
- Are there cultural festivals in Providence?
Yes. Festivals throughout the year celebrate the city’s diverse communities with music, dance, food and traditions, including the Bolivian Festival.
Keep in touch!
Looking for information on upcoming events, dining info, promotions and deals? Stay in the know with our GoProvidence e-newsletter.
Sign Up For Our E-Newsletter