Founded on the principles of freedom and acceptance, Providence, Rhode Island, continues to support a diverse creative community. Along with its blend of big city sophistication and small-town charm, Providence is known for its walkability, award-winning restaurants, and dynamic arts scene. Perfectly positioned between Boston and New York City, and easily accessible by car, train, or plane, Providence offers something for everyone, all year long.
One of Providence’s most popular cultural events is WaterFire, a multisensory art installation, highlighted by a series of bonfires installed on the three rivers of Downtown Providence. Illuminating nearly two-thirds of a mile of public spaces, the event features a flotilla of performers traveling the river in torch-lit vessels. Typically held from May to November, WaterFire has drawn hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city for 30 years. The combination of aromatic wood smoke, flickering firelight. and enchanting music creates a truly singular experience.
Autumn in Providence is more treat than trick, with annual events like PVDFest, Roger Williams Park Zoo & Carousel Village’s Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Embrace spooky season with Providence Ghost Tour, a walking tour of Providence’s East Side that treats visitors to tales of the nearly departed residents of the city. From Revolutionary soldiers to Edgar Allan Poe, you never know what spectral guests might appear. And speaking of spooky tales, fans of H.P. Lovecraft can visit the Lovecraft Arts & Sciences Bookstore & Gift Shop in The Arcade, the oldest indoor mall in the country.
Providence’s holiday season is jam-packed with favorites like the zoo’s Holiday Lights Spectacular and Trinity Rep’s annual production of “A Christmas Carol.” Federal Hill, Providence’s own Little Italy, hosts two weekends of Christmas on the Hill, featuring an old-world style atmosphere for dining, shopping, and even a trolley ride. Tree lightings at City Hall and the Providence Rink bring festive fun to downtown, and holiday markets like The Providence Flea offer the perfect opportunity to support local artists while you check off everyone on your gift list. WaterFire events in early December and on New Year’s Eve round out a month-long celebration of holiday magic.
Just in time to break those pesky New Year’s resolutions, Providence Restaurant Weeks arrives late January for two weeks of dining specials and prix fixe menus. From authentic Italian cuisine on Federal Hill to seafood fresh from Narragansett Bay, Providence offers a dazzling array of restaurants that will delight even the most discerning palate. Home to Johnson & Wales University, the world’s largest culinary educator, the capital city often reaps the rewards of having many of the school’s alumni and students display their culinary talents locally. Providence Restaurant Weeks offers the perfect opportunity to explore everything from sandwich shops to elegant dining.
