WaterFire Providence announces a full lighting on Friday, July 4, made possible through the support of the Providence Tourism Council (PTC). This full lighting is set to celebrate Independence Day and will have a patriotic theming throughout the event, including an installation of 100 American flags lining Memorial Boulevard. The lighting will begin at 8:40 p.m., and the braziers will remain lit until midnight. 

"The Providence Tourism Council is proud to sponsor a special July 4th lighting as we welcome residents and visitors to experience the unique installation of WaterFire," says Alexis Gorriaran, Chair and Commissioner of the Providence Tourism Council. "This activation is part of a week of Independence Day events and celebrations serving as a cultural beacon and a catalyst for artistic expression and community connection."

Newport Polo players from the US and Italy teams will be lighting the braziers on the river beginning at 8:40 p.m. This is leading up to the annual match between the two teams on Saturday, July 5, at Newport Polo in Portsmouth.

The WaterFire Marketplace will return to Canal Street: stop by to support WaterFire with a donation or a purchase of locally designed apparel, jewelry, glassware, and gifts. Experience live glass blowing by Gather Glass. WaterFire will also have additional information and merchandise stations in front of the RISD Auditorium, in the basin tunnel under Memorial Boulevard, and on the Patio of Finance Way.

FIRED UP 50/50 Raffle returns for 2025. This allows attendees the chance to win cash prizes while supporting a community event. How it works: participants purchase tickets, and the total amount collected is split evenly between the raffle winner and WaterFire. The funds raised through the raffle directly support WaterFire’s operations, helping to sustain and enhance the art installations, performances, and community programming. By participating in the 50/50 raffle, attendees can enjoy the excitement of a potential win while contributing to the continued success and growth of WaterFire. Raffle tickets will be sold on the College Street Bridge, and the winner will be announced at the end of the night. 

WaterFire Artist and Maker Vendors will be located on Washington Street and College Street from 6:30 PM to 11:00 PM. Visitors can browse and shop for a variety of goods, including glass, photography, jewelry, and more. Washington Street Artists include: Joseph Mushipi Visual Art, Land and SeaGlass, Design WhatHaveYou, Scrapped and Found, Celeste Diaz Falzone, and Recycled SilverWear. College Street Artists include: TRACIMOC, Nubian Violet Creations, Paul & Sandy’s Homey Shack, Skoshie & Friends, Ecuador to your Door, and Pourever Creations.

Food fairs will be open on Washington Street, College Street, Canal Walk, and on Finance Way from 6:30 PM to 11:00 PM. Enjoy local food from festival favorites: Washington Street - Kettle Korn Express, Full House Q, Incredabowl, Saugy Express, Atomic Blonde, and RaRa’s Surf Shack. Canal Walk - Gather Farm Ice Cream, Del’s Lemonade + Inside Voices. College Street - Chill’s Cheesecakes, Taste of India, Sal’s, and White Dog Distilling. Patio on Finance Way- Maven’s Delicatessen, and Sarcastic Sweets.

Trinity Brewhouse will have two locations on the patio of Finance Way and the other on the corner of Canal and Washington Street. They will be serving up local brews and wine from 6:30 PM to 11:00 PM.

Just Hard Squeezed will be on site in Market Square from 6:30 PM to 11:00 PM, serving up samples of their newest products.

Steve Donavan Trio featuring Marty Ballou & Mark Teixeira will be performing on the Washington Street Music Stage from 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM.

Performances by the Wilbury Theatre Group will be taking place on the College Street Music Stage from 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM.

Stop by College Street from 6:30 to 11:00 PM to see Big B and the Looking Glass, a life-size bunny sculpture by Rhode Island artist Peter Diepenbrock.

Andrew Anselmo, Origami Master, will be hanging out all night at Market Square, and visitors can find A Silent Soapbox living statue at the bottom of the  Washington Street Bridge and Canal Walk starting at sunset. Ten31 Productions will be illuminating the World War Monument in Memorial Park with patriotic statues, including the Statue of Liberty.

The Starry, Starry Night installation returns to Memorial Park near the Crawford Street Bridge; add your light to the night by wishing on a star or dedicate a luminaria candle lantern.

Catch three fire-spinning performances beginning at 8:23 PM, 9:30 PM, and continuing at 10:30 PM by Cirque de Light.

Please note that there will not be a fireworks display during the WaterFire lighting on July 4. Providence’s Independence Day Celebration will take place on Wednesday, July 2 (with a rain date of Thursday, July 3) in India Point Park.

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 events may be added to the schedule as funding becomes available.