WaterFire Providence Announces 2026 Season Schedule
The lineup includes eight full lightings, six partial lightings and four Starts at Sunset events.
2023 lighting. Photo by Kaitlyn Murray
There’s finally a light to look forward to at the end of this wintry tunnel — literally. Yesterday, WaterFire announced its 2026 lineup, which includes eight full lightings, six partial lightings and four Starts at Sunset events at the Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial Bridge (or as locals know it, the pedestrian bridge). The season will kick off on Saturday, May 30, with a full lighting in honor of the Rhode Island School of Design’s commencement and reunion weekend.
The season opener will also mark a major milestone for WaterFire as it will be the organization’s 500th lighting since its inception more than thirty years ago. To celebrate, WaterFire is making 500 torchbearer positions available to the public throughout its 2026 run, giving longtime admirers and supporters the chance to take an active role in lighting the basins. The organization will also bring back several community-favorite events, including themed-evenings commemorating local educators and veterans, a community paddling night the state’s clean water and a gathering honoring breast cancer survivors. This year, WaterFire has also added a full lighting on the Fourth of July in recognition of the country’s 250th anniversary of independence. Plus, WaterFire and the U.S. aren’t the only ones with something to celebrate in 20126: United Way of Rhode Island is also turning 100, and a centennial celebration will be held in its honor.
Additionally, WaterFire will assist in coordinating a torch procession for the Day of Portugal Rhode Island, on Sunday, June 7, in 195 District Park, and more lightings may be added to the schedule as the season goes on.
“Each WaterFire season reminds us of the power of art to bring people together,” says Mark Allan, Executive Director of WaterFire Providence. ” In 2026, WaterFire will continue to celebrate the creativity and unique spirit of Greater Providence, creating a shared experience that unites our communities. We are deeply grateful to Barnaby Evans for creating WaterFire and to our sponsors, volunteers, participants, and the City of Providence for continuing this powerful tradition. This year, we are looking forward to a revitalized experience, with new depths of contemplation and new heights of celebration.”
For those looking for indoor happenings, the organization’s WaterFire Arts Center also has a lot in store for the coming months, including two large-scale exhibitions. From June 8 to 12, RIFT, an immersive sonic environment by Yuval Gur, will transform the main hall into a navigable landscape of sound, vibration, and light built from environmental recordings in Iceland. You can expect to encounter interactive glaciers, geothermal systems and tectonic rhythms. Then, from July 2 to August 30, America, Unfinished?! will invite guests to explore the American experience through a constellation of artworks and immersive installations. The exhibition is said to create layered moments of reflection and connection while centering themes of place, migration, arrival and belonging. Finally, save the date for Wednesday, September 16, when the center will hold its 10th annual FireBall gala. The fundraiser will highlight both WaterFire’s achievements as well as its future initiatives, showcase successful artists and students, and honor four deserving Rhode Islanders who have made a lasting impact on the community with WaterFire Impact Awards.
2023 lighting. Photo by Kaitlyn Murray
Keep scrolling for the full 2026 WaterFire schedule:
Full Lighting Dates
Saturday, May 30
Theme: Celebrating WaterFire’s 500th Lighting
Supported by Rhode Island School of Design, with additional support from Achievement First
Sunset: 8:12 p.m.
Onshore programming and vendors open at 7 p.m., lighting ends at midnight
Friday, July 4
Theme: Commemorating 250 Years of American Independence
Supported by RI250 Commission
Sunset: 8:23 p.m.
Onshore programming and vendors open at 5 p.m., lighting ends at midnight
Saturday, August 1
Theme: Full Lighting: Clear Currents Community Paddling Night
Supported by Amica Insurance and Brown University
Sunset: 8:03 p.m.
Onshore programming and vendors open at 7 p.m., lighting ends at midnight
Saturday, August 29
Supported by FM
Sunset: 7:33 p.m.
Onshore programming and vendors open at 6:30 p.m., lighting ends at midnight
Sunday, September 6 (Labor Day Weekend)
Supported by Providence Tourism Council
Sunset: 7:10 p.m.
Onshore programming and vendors open at 6 p.m., lighting ends at midnight
Saturday, September 26
Thems: Celebrating Rhode Island Educators
Supported by Rhode Island Department of Education
Sunset: 6:35 p.m.
Onshore programming and vendors open at 5:30 p.m., lighting ends at midnight
Saturday, October 17
Theme: United Way of Rhode Island’s Centennial Celebration
Supported by United Way of Rhode Island
Sunset: 6:01 p.m.
Onshore programming and vendors open at 5 p.m., lighting ends at 11 p.m.
Saturday, November 7
Theme: 14th Annual Salute to Veterans
Sunset: 5:32 p.m.
Onshore programming and vendors open at 4:30 p.m., lighting ends at 10 p.m.
Basin and Partial Lightings
Friday, June 12 – Basin Lighting
Supported by GoProvidence
Sunset: 8:21 p.m.
Onshore programming and vendors open at 7 p.m., lighting ends at 10 p.m.
Thursday, June 18 – Partial Lighting: RISD + Memorial Park Area
Theme: Juneteenth & RI Pride
Supported by Providence Tourism Council
Sunset: 8:23 p.m.
Onshore programming and vendors open at 7 p.m., lighting ends at 11 p.m.
Friday, July 17 – Basin Lighting
Supported by GoProvidence
Sunset: 8:17 p.m.
Onshore programming and vendors open at 7 p.m., lighting ends at 10 p.m.
Friday, August 14 – Basin Lighting
Supported by GoProvidence
Sunset: 7:46 p.m.
Onshore programming and vendors open at 6:30 p.m., lighting ends at 10 p.m.
Saturday, October 3 – Partial Lighting
Supported by Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation
Sunset: 6:23 p.m.
Onshore programming and vendors open at 5:30 p.m., lighting ends at 10 p.m.
Saturday, December 11 –Basin Lighting
Theme: Holidays
Supported by GoProvidence
Sunset: 4:14 p.m.
Onshore programming and vendors open at 4 p.m., lighting ends at 9 p.m.
Starts at Sunset Events
Located on the Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial Bridge
Presented by the Providence Tourism Council
Thursday, July 9
Sunset (8:22 p.m.) to 10 p.m.
Thursday, September 17
Sunset (6:51 p.m.) to 9 p.m.
Thursday, October 29
Sunset (5:44 p.m.) to 9 p.m.
Thursday, December 31
Sunset (5:30 p.m.) to 9 p.m.
