WaterFire Providence Reviews

Great event! Beautiful lighting and good cause. I went July 28 and Narragansett Bay Commission helped light up the river. I had never been on time before, but this year I got there in time for the opening ceremony and it was a great performance!

Absolutely amazing concept. Close down downtown streets to make your city more walkable, have local artists, vendors, food, and musicians all around, allow drinks on the streets and have fire everywhere to stare at. All in the name of getting your community outside and enjoying art and their city

Love the fact that this is the only state that offers a Water fire event. Love it, and I can't get enough

Not quite as interesting as I'd have hoped. They light fires, there's lots of people walking about, and there's stands for alcohol/other things you can buy, aswell as some sort of sponsoring tents were one can find out information about the current project that has the sponsoring and such. So, an average experience, hence 3 stars.

Always a nice time. Get to see many forms of art and listen to music. Where else can you go to see water on fire.

Amazing experience, cedar fires burning all along the water way. Pop up shops, snacks, adult beverages, mimes, fire throwers... Good for you Providence. I'll certainly be back. Thank you! You did well.

Waterfire in Providence is amazing. My husband and I bring the kids. They love it.. We love it. It is beautiful and free.

Has slipped through the years but still a great place to go especially during Waterfire nights.. Lot's of people but when you look into the fires on the water and the music accompanying it you'll feel at ease and peaceful

On a nice night it's really awesome , really a good experience you should check out

It was an amazing walk. The fires and other assorted lit up structures were beautiful. Seemed like a nice area worth visiting even without the event going on. It was free (unless you choose to buy anything from all the vendor tents of course) and something you can do spur of the moment. If you want to ride a gondola tho, you need to book ahead, which I plan on doing next year because it looked so fun!

Nice festival with a good cause (non-profit organizations). The viewing is peaceful yet lively at the same time. There is plenty of space along the waterway to set up for the night. There are also plenty of stalls to buy art from local artists and students at the college. Of course there are also stalls where you can buy food. Parking is going to be difficult to find as expected for an event this size so it's recommended to arrive earlier in the day and explore the area before the festivities.

We love coming here. Fall is the best when it's a little chilly out, the fires keep you warm. Chill music, lots of people and of course, the vendors with the kettle korn popcorn.

Just as excellent as always. A good place for lovers and a crowd over 16. Not that it's inappropriate, however it's a very calm atmosphere.

I highly recommend this place to everyone, to try at least once. The music is great. Its calm. Outdoor all event drinking is allowed and they have great cocktail and beer vendors. The artists are to die for. The one thing ai would say is I wished they would not always do full lightings on Saturdays and some on Fridays so people who have set schedules can try to make it.

A classic event in Providence. Good food and music always, the Big Bang Waterford was the last I went to and learned a lot! It s very safe and family friendly, many streets are closed off for the event. Great for all ages, shows you a new side of downtown providence.

It can be crowded at times. But kids and adults will all enjoy

A fun atmosphere with lots of different booths including food and beverage options.

If you want to be down on the water, there are kayak rentals, gondola and boat rides.

Waterfire is a great opportunity to spend some time talking with friends and family.

I've been to Waterfire 3 times and I love it! Walking down the river in Providence there are dozens of floating bonfires and boats coming through to restock them with wood. Beautiful calming music places, street vendors are found in abundance, performers are sprinkled along the river, and at one end you can find a garden full of beautiful paper lanterns. This is a must see!!

There is definitely magic in the air when you visit water fire for a full lighting, one of the most romantic places on the Eastern seaboard. A must see experience a great place to fall in love all over again.

It is a must go event for anyone in or passing by Rhode Island

Great place to visit .music and different activities .

The sights and smells of cedar wood burning in the middle of an urban downtown core. It's unique and the only place in the world where this happens. You can actually feel the heat off the flames at shore. Mixed in with music and just people hanging about, it brings a community outside on a warm summer day. A once in a lifetime must do.

Always a good reason to visit the downtown area I love Rhode Island

Great show hard to see not enough vantage spots, very crowded but polite, will be better next time we go

Something unique which you won t find everywhere -
First of all, you have to find schedule at their website
As this is not you can find every weekend.
Been there twice. Each outing has diff types of event which you can find at their website.
Music, fireworks and much more
At main Audi, prefer to go 30 mins before to claim your seats.
If you are with your spouse/GF then this is what you are looking for.
You can also book a reservation at hotels/ restaurants nearby.
Take your DSLR to capture those beautiful fires on water.
You can also take a boat ride in $20 bucks.
Parking- you can park at the nearby mall or there is event parking for 10 bucks. Not a big deal and if you reach there after 10 then it s all free. Parking attendants are not there after 10.
Google for pics. It s awesome.

Very lively festive atmosphere. Great music. Finding parking could be hard. Thumb rule, park at first available spot and start walking.

Water Fire is something that everyone should experience at least once. Don't just "show up" and expect to have a good time, plan ahead, book a gondola ride in advance and reserve a seat at one of the many area restaurants.
The crowds are enormous, walking between vendors and displays can be difficult, but the beauty of the event must be seen.

No water fire show when I visited however I did see gondola riders. What a shame since I heard so many great things. Maybe better luck next time. The views of the river and city are beautiful though.

Beautiful public event with vendors, food and restaurants. There are also boat and gondolas river rides available

I had been wanting to go there for years, finally scheduled it and booked a room downtown to stay over night. The event is quite something, nothing like I had pictured in my mind. It must be seen to be appreciated. The waterfire appeals to all senses, the smell of burning campfire wood, the sound of the loud and earthy music, the stunning visual of the hundreds of fires reflecting on the water. All together a treat for the mind and body. I highly recommend this to anyone.

One of my favorite Providence event! The city does a wonderful job by having interesting themes and vendors!

Great experience. Get here a couple of hours early for the best views or best seating. Lots of great restaurants and places for drinks along the river.

If you're in providence RI and its water fire season, you should check it out at least once. It's not something I would go to every weekend but it's nice to go out every now and then. If friends/family are visiting it's a really cool experience for them, especially if they've havent seen it before. Food trucks, art, beer, music.... and FIRE!!

Beautiful time with the love I thought I never deserved

Lovely shops selling artworks, food and more. The fire performances are intriguing too, some even take place in the center of the river! Definitely an event to check out

I really love the Water Place Park and my daughter Lisa sitting in the blue chairs. And one thing she does is make sandwiches she put grapes in a container also she have a big bottle of water then she put water in the small bottles, then she pack them it was the best time spending the day with her (Lisa).

Very cool, excellent music resonating over the river as boats cruise the river keeping dozens of wood fires going in fire pits anchored in the river. Lots of people, but does not feel too crowded. Providence has figured out a pretty good thing here.

We went on the Apollo 11 anniversary for the NASA events and had a great time. Food and drink was expensive so I recommend packing snacks if bringing kids on a budget. It was definitely Handicap friendly and a beautiful location. The ceremony took a while bit was worth the wait. The food were lit after dark and the boats with fire and entertainers were awesome. Would definitely go again!

Always a great experience in providence! Must see if visiting the city! There is always local artists as well, great family or date night!

Waterfire is always a delight to view, especially when you luck into a full lighting with moderate crowding. I missed it in the years since having a child, and mean to go more regularly now that my kid is getting old enough to come along

A must see and experience Providence in an elemental display of city wide prode

It's a beautiful scenic place to walk and see live entertainment. Enjoying a drink while walking and relaxing. Can be a bit crowded but it's a great time.

Really nice place. Probably best for couples. Certain areas have food vendors and arts & crafts.

Good music, atmosphere and plenty to eat and drink!

I have been attending WaterFire for several years now and it is always the highlight of my weekend. My favorite time to go is in the fall; it is much cooler and not as crowded. If you ever get a chance to go, please do!

A chill, interesting, fun and relaxed festival. Lots of food to eat, sights to take in, activities such as dancing or lantern making. A whole lot of fun for everyone in the family.

A very nice thing to see while on vacation. Nice part of Rhode Island.

Great Event for Tourist, lots of booths that sell cool nicknacks and some people offer free money to watch vr video of being an animal

Waterfire is a great time, the fire on the water is an interesting sight to see. There is music and performance to listen and watch.

Opening up in May. Worth the trip. Very nice atmosphere. Food wine entertainment.

Was cool to see the water on fire. But I wouldn't plan a whole trip around it

A truly amazing and magical experience. A must see in the Providence area.

Something different. Lots of people bars and restaurants

Very beautiful to see..must go early to get a place for the best view. The wood they use to burn also smells so good. I love the experience

AMAZING EXPERIENCE! We went for the first time Sept 8. Very impressive! I can't wait to go back. Street performers, street vendors, beautiful walk. All around great experience and its FREE! There are collection areas along the way to donate if you like to support the Arts. We did. KEEP THOSE FIRES BURNING!!!