WaterFire & Waterplace Park
WaterFire
Providence's signature sight: after sunset, around a hundred fire braziers on the river are lit one by one as music and boat lanterns drift past in a procession.
WaterFire is an environmental art installation created by artist Barnaby Evans in 1994. On event nights, around a hundred iron braziers across the three rivers of the city centre are lit at sunset by boatmen dressed in black. Pine logs crackle, accompanied by world music and small boats gliding past, while the riverside parks and paths fill with crowds. Watching is free. You can secure a spot in advance at the circular amphitheatre in Waterplace Park, or book a small boat ride on the river. The event usually runs until midnight. The dates are announced each year, so check waterfire.org before you go.
Opening hours
Event nights from sunset to about 24:00; park open all day
Nearby sights
- Providence Athenaeum
- Westminster Arcade
- RISD Museum
- First Baptist Church in America
- Benefit Street
- John Hay Library
- John Brown House Museum
- Brown University