You can travel the globe and never find anything quite like WaterFire. A series of nearly 100 bonfires that seems to magically perch on the three rivers of downtown Providence, WaterFire is actually an art installation. Created by local artist and Brown grad Barnaby Evans, WaterFire has attracted hundreds of thousands of people to Providence every year.

WaterFire is a multisensory spectacle, replete with the comforting aroma of burning wood and the lilting tones of carefully curated music, which amplifies the experience. Street performers, musicians and thousands of attendees add to the enchantment. Best of all, the entire incredible experience is free.

Full lightings wind through the downtown area, while partial lightings are confined to the Waterplace Basin. Fires begin at dusk.

2024 WaterFire Dates:

Full Lightings

Partial Lightings

Add a little more heat to your WaterFire evening by enjoying one of Providence’s great restaurants and exciting nightlife.

Dining Downtown

The heart of the city, downtown Providence is compact and walkable, with most restaurants, nightlife, attractions, and shopping located within easy walking distance of area hotels. Three rivers flow through the downtown area, providing lovely walking paths. Providence's downtown is a model for the adaptive reuse of buildings, having preserved much of the stunning architecture of bygone eras.

Camille's