WaterFire Ignites the 2025 Season with Art, Light, and Community Spirit

What do floating flames, riverside dance parties, and community storytelling have in common? If you guessed WaterFire, you're already ahead of the (sparkling) curve. Providence’s most beloved public art installation returns for its 30th anniversary season in 2025, and the glow-up is real.

The season kicks off Thursday, May 15, with a Starts at Sunset lighting on the Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial Bridge. This year’s schedule includes six full lightings, two partial lightings, and four dreamy sunset events that will bathe downtown in firelight and feel-good energy.

“We’re celebrating three decades of WaterFire,” says Ed Cabral, director of sponsorships and corporate relations. “We’re grateful to the sponsors, partners, and supporters who’ve helped this tradition thrive. The 2025 season honors that legacy while charging ahead with excitement and purpose.”

New to this year’s lineup is the Clear Currents Community Paddling Night on August 9 – a full lighting supported by Amica and the Providence Tourism Council. Onshore programming and vendors open at 6:30pm, with sunset at 7:54pm and lighting continuing until midnight.

Fan-favorite themed events return, including tributes to Rhode Island educators (September 27), veterans (November 1), and breast cancer survivors (October 4). And yes, there’s a full lighting on July 4 – a can’t-miss night of fireworks, firelight, and that unmistakable Providence summer buzz. The Starts at Sunset series continues to charm with riverside serenity and twinkle-lit views on July 17, October 30, and even New Year’s Eve.

WaterFire is more than flames – it’s music, movement, and the moments that bring us together. Wander through local vendor stalls, sip something delicious, catch live performances, and lose yourself in the creative he