Brighten Up Your Winter Nights in the City at the Lumina Light Festival

Courtesy of the Downtown Providence Park Network

Don’t hunker down for the season just yet. Downtown Providence’s customarily long and dark winter nights will soon see the light again thanks to the return of Lumina, a vibrant and captivating celebration. From Saturday, February 1, to Monday, February 17, the heart of the Creative Capital will transform into a vibrant winter display of light, public art and community spirit, stretching from BankNewport City Center to the 195 District Park  

Drawing inspiration from displays in other Northeast cities, the free festival will offer a number of grand spectacles and heartwarming experiences. Building on the success of its inaugural festival, this year will also feature light-based installations from an extraordinary group of local Rhode Island artists. These installations, crafted by talented creators like Cristin Searles, Linsey Wallace, Bláithín Haddad, Saberah Malik, Max Van Lorimer, Jessica Ricci, and Tiffiniy Cheng, promise to further elevate the festival’s unique artistic flair. 

“We are thrilled to bring Lumina 2025 to life this winter, featuring incredible performances like Ice Dance International, and exciting installations like the POP! Installation, and stunning light-based art from local Rhode Island artists,” says Nora Barré, Executive Director of the Downtown Providence Park Network. “It’s a celebration of light, community and creativity, and we can’t wait for everyone to experience it.” 

If you really want the full experience, however, you’re going to want to head downcity the weekend of February 7 and 8. From 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, you can encounter dazzling sculptures and light installations across the festival’s footprint; ice cold beer offerings from The Guild; warm delicacies and from Providence restaurants and food trucks; warmth and entertainment from Bodhi Spa’s mobile sauna; and many more events and workshops made to brighten up your night. 

From there, the lights will shine on with a convening of the Downtown Illumination: Storytelling with Len Cabral and Providence Drum Troupe on February 7, and Circus Dynamic roving entertainment at Biltmore Park on February 8. The 2025 Lumina Winter Festival showcases interactive activities, live performances and family–friendly fun. Throughout the festival, visitors can also expect surprises like hot chocolate scavenger hunts, drink specials, building and rink illuminations and more every weekend 

Courtesy of the Downtown Providence Park Network

“Lumina represents a visionary step in leveraging public art and illumination as catalysts for economic development in Downtown Providence,” says Barré. “We wanted to bring this captivating festival to our city to enchant our community with light and art and illuminate the path toward downtown’s economic prosperity. Lumina serves as a beacon, drawing residents and visitors, fostering a vibrant atmosphere, and contributing significantly to our city’s economic vitality.” 

The upcoming festival is produced by participating businesses, the Providence Rink, the City of Providence, Rhode Island School of Design, IBEW Power Professionals, Brown University, Government of Quebec, the Providence Foundation, Rhode Island Foundation, Rhode Island Commerce, BayCoast Bank, BankNewport City Center, KPMG, Dimeo Construction, the Sweeney Advisory, the City of Providence Department of Art, Culture and Tourism, Providence Tourism Council, Go Providence, Paolino Properties, PVD Psychological Association, the Graduate by Hilton, the Beatrice, Bellini Providence, Rhode Island Energy, AlphaGraphics Providence, the Friendship Foundation, Bodhi Spa, RMO Public Relations, Papitto Opportunities Connection, In Downcity, Providence Performing Arts Center, Providence Downtown Improvement District, RIPTA and Delta Mechanical Contractors. 

For more information and an up-to-date schedule of events, please visit downtownpvdpark.life.