WaterFire Returns To Providence: See The 2023 River Lighting Schedule

PROVIDENCE, RI — WaterFire returned to downtown Providence on Wednesday night, kicking off with a partial lighting in Waterplace Park.

The 2023 WaterFire season will have seven full lightings of the Providence River and five partial lightings, organizers said.

"Spring is here, and we are delighted to be announcing the initial 12 WaterFire lighting dates," WaterFire creator Barnaby Evans said. "All of us are looking forward to welcoming the entire community back to the river, as well as greeting the many thousands of new visitors who will come to Rhode Island to see WaterFire for their first time this season. Your heartfelt notes and good wishes as you look forward to the new season have been much appreciated. For nearly 30 years WaterFire has filled downtown with joyous crowds, exciting art and peaceful music and our entire team is eager to see you once again in the firelight."

In conjunction with the lightings, WaterFire Providence is holding a fundraiser called #SparkYourAppetite, encouraging people to check out Providence’s restaurant and bar scene. Participating restaurants will donate 10 percent of their revenue on each day of a lighting to keep WaterFire burning. See a list of participating restaurants here.

See the full 2023 WaterFire Schedule below:

• Wednesday, April 19 — partial lighting, Memorial Park
• Saturday, June 3 — full lighting
• Sunday, June 18 — partial lighting, Waterplace Basin
• Saturday, June 24 — full lighting
• Friday, July 14 — partial lighting, Waterplace Basin
• Saturday, July 22 — full lighting
• Saturday, Aug. 19 — full lighting
• Saturday, Sept. 2 (Labor Day Weekend) — partial lighting
• Saturday, Sept. 9 — full lighting, PVDFest
• Saturday, Sept. 30 — full lighting
• Saturday, Nov. 4 — full lighting.