WaterFire.

Created by artist Barnaby Evans in 1994, WaterFire is Providence’s signature public-art event, transforming the city’s three downtown rivers into an atmospheric nighttime promenade. On scheduled evenings from May to November, more than 80 black iron braziers anchored in the water are lit to burn from sunset until midnight. The sensory experience is tightly choreographed, combining the scent of burning wood, flickering firelight reflecting off arched stone bridges, and a curated soundtrack of global music. Torch-lit vessels glide past the flames while thousands of spectators stroll the riverbanks. Full lightings expand the footprint with onshore food vendors, artists, and performance stages, making this free, citywide gathering one of New England's most compelling spectacles.