Providence, RI: WaterFire Providence announces the 2025 WaterFire season, which currently includes six (6) full lightings, two (2) partial lightings, and four (4) Starts at Sunset lightings on the Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial Bridge. The season will kick off with a Starts at Sunset event on Thursday, May 15, with the first full lighting to follow on Saturday, May 31. Community favorite events, along with honoring Rhode Island Educators, Breast Cancer Survivors, Rhode Island Veterans, and a full lighting on the 4th of July, will all return in 2025 and bring our friends and neighbors together to learn from and celebrate with each other.
“As we celebrate 30 years of WaterFire, we are grateful to the sponsors, community partners, and supporters who have helped sustain this tradition in Providence. Their continued generosity and belief in our mission have allowed WaterFire to evolve into a symbol of creativity and community. The 2025 season honors that legacy while looking ahead with renewed purpose and excitement for what’s to come,” says Ed Cabral, Director of Sponsorships and Corporate Relations at WaterFire Providence.
The 2025 WaterFire lighting season is proudly presented with generous support from the Providence Tourism Council and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau
Full Lighting Dates
Saturday, May 31 – Full Lighting
Supported by: RISD
Sunset: 8:14 PM | Lighting ends at Midnight
Onshore programming and vendors open at 7:00 PM
Friday, July 4 – Full Lighting: Celebrating Independence Day
Supported by: Providence Tourism Council
Sunset: 8:24 PM | Lighting ends at Midnight
Onshore programming and vendors open at 6:30 PM
Saturday, August 9 – Full Lighting: Clear Currents Community Paddling Night
Supported by: Amica and Providence Tourism Council
Sunset: 7:07 PM | Lighting ends at Midnight
Onshore programming and vendors open at 6:00 PM
Saturday, September 27 – Full Lighting: Celebrating Rhode Island Educators
Supported by: Rhode Island Department of Education and Cox Business
Sunset: 6:34 PM | Lighting ends at Midnight
Onshore programming and vendors open at 5:30 PM
Saturday, October 4 – Full Lighting
Supported by: Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation
Sunset: 6:22 PM | Lighting ends at 11:00 PM
Onshore programming and vendors open at 5:30 PM
Saturday, November 1 – Full Lighting: 13th Annual Salute to Veterans
Supported by: Rhode Island Energy and Manchester Street Station
Sunset: 5:40 PM | Lighting ends at 10:00 PM
Onshore programming and vendors open at 4:30 PM
Basin and Partial Lightings
Thursday, June 19 – Partial Lighting: RISD + Memorial Park Area
Sunset: 8:22 PM | Lighting ends at 10:30 PM
Monday, August 18 – Basin Lighting
Supported by: CSG East 64th Annual Meeting and Regional Policy Forum
Sunset: 7:41 PM | Lighting ends at 10:00 PM
Starts at Sunset Lightings
Located on the Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial Bridge
Presented by the Providence Tourism Council
Thursday, May 15 – Sunset (7:59 PM) to 10:00 PM
Thursday, July 17 – Sunset (8:17 PM) to 10:00 PM
Thursday, October 30 – Sunset (5:42 PM) to 8:00 PM
Wednesday, December 31 – Sunset (4:25 PM) to 9:00 PM
WaterFire Providence thanks our generous supporters for helping to make this season possible. Details of the season schedule will be posted on the WaterFire Providence website at https://waterfire.org/schedule. Additional lightings may be added to the schedule as funding becomes available.
WaterFire Providence 2025 Season Supporters
The 2025 WaterFire Season is proudly presented with generous support from the Providence Tourism Council, the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, and additional support from State of Rhode Island; Governor Daniel J. McKee; Rhode Island Commerce; The City of Providence, Mayor Brett Smiley; Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi; Senator Jacob Bissaillon; Representative Scott Slater; The Rhode Island General Assembly; Providence City Council; Rhode Island State Council of the Arts; Amica; Bank Newport; Cox Business; CSG East 64th Annual Meeting and Regional Policy Forum; Fidelity Investments; Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation; IGT; JPMorgan Chase Bank; Manchester Street Station; National Association of State Procurement Officials; Papitto Opportunity Connection; Rhode Island Department of Education; Rhode Island School of Design; RI Energy; Textron Charitable Trust; Cox Media; Cumulus Media; iHeartMedia, Inc.; Rhode Island Monthly;The Providence Journal; WPRI 12 & FOX Providence & The Rhode Show; Cirque De Light; Fire Works Catering; Gooseneck Vineyards; McLaughlin & Moran; Ocean State Rental; Stanley Tree Service, Inc; and United Site Services Northeast.
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About WaterFire Providence
WaterFire Providence® is an independent, 501(c)3 non-profit arts organization whose mission is to inspire Providence and its visitors by revitalizing the urban experience, fostering community engagement, and creatively transforming the city by presenting WaterFire for all to enjoy. Each year nearly 1 million people come to downtown Providence to experience WaterFire spending over $114,000,000 to the local economy, generating over $9,000,000 of direct tax revenue for the State of Rhode Island and supporting 1,294 jobs for community residents and strengthening Providence’s Creative Capital and Rhode Island’s State for the Arts brands. For information about WaterFire Providence and the WaterFire Arts Center visit https://waterfire.org/.
