There’s no time like the present to get outside and enjoy all that Providence has to offer as we count down the days of our dwindling summer.
Thursday, September 5th
Summer’s not over yet!
Burnside Park Beer Garden Concert Series
This weekly concert is a great family-friendly event in the heart of downtown at Kennedy Plaza at Burnside Park. September 5 marks the final show of this series as we user in the beginnings of Fall. Smack dab in the middle of our quaint city, Burnside Park is the perfect setting to enjoy a view of some of Providence’s historic landmarks such as City Hall, The Biltmore Hotel, and the Industrial National Trust Building (aka The Superman Building). This week’s series features Mark Cutler and Men of Great Courage & Sara Azriel.
Join Movies on the Block in Downcity Providence and enjoy great movies under the stars for free. Movie begins at sunset. This week: Mission Impossible.
Friday, September 6th
Go Greek!
Celebrate Rhode Island’s Greek Heritage at the 28th Annual Cranston Greek Festival. The festival begins Friday night and continues through Sunday.
Pawtucket’s Taste of the Valley
Music and Food! Come enjoy the Blackstone River Party:Taste of the Valley, where you can enjoy food and dessert samplings from some of the finest restaurants in Pawtucket and the surrounding communities. $10 admission fee, children under 12-free admission.
Saturday, September 7th
Have you ever seen a dragon?
Dragon Boat Races
Celebrate Asian heritage and culture with this annual event featuring unique and colorful Chinese Dragon Boats in a day long rowing competition on the Pawtucket River. Enjoy Asian arts, music, dance, crafts, and kite flying on the pier and watch as teams from around the region compete in a spirited race on the Pawtucket River at the RI Dragon Boat Races and Taiwan Heritage Festival.
3rd Annual Neighbor Days Block Party
Head over to the West Side of Providence where Narragansett Beer and the West Broadway Neighborhood Association are throwing the 3rd Annual Neighbor Days Block Party on Saturday, September 7 from noon to 6pm in Luongo Square between The Avery and E&O bars. A day of food, music, beer, record sales, raffles, games, fun and more with your neighbors.
Rare Appearance of Abraham Lincoln in Providence
Providence Actor Robb Dimmick makes a rare appearance as Abraham Lincoln, Saturday, September 7th at 7:00pm at the First Baptist Church in America, 75 North Main Street, Providence. In recognition of the 150th anniversary of his enduring Gettysburg Address, Lincoln will recount his military life, ordeals as Commander in Chief, and the days leading up to his delivery of the address. Sponsored by the Roger Williams National Memorial, the performance will end with a stirring recitation of The Gettysburg Address. The event is free and open to the public.
WaterFire Full Lighting
With events starting at 6pm, we have a lot in store for you this evening at WaterFire. Stop by the WaterFire Arts Festival Plaza on Washington Street where you can view and purchase locally made glassware, jewelry, paintings, photography, clothing and more.
We’re thrilled to feature a full night of jazz featuring some of the best jazz musicians in the region. Enjoy a lively jazz performance by Planet Safety at the WaterFire Providence Music Stage on Steeple Street. Kicking off the evening will be special guests The Clay Nordhill Trio with Alex Tremblay and Paul Di Martino at 7:00pm, Dave Zinno Trio featuring Paul Nagel, Dave Zinno, and Steve Langone at 8:30pm, followed by Planet Safety, featuring Dave Zinno (upright bass), Leo Genovese (piano), and Bob Gullotti (drums). at 10:00pm.
Additional music can be heard at the RISD Landing (near the four flagpoles outside of the RISD Illustration building) by resident Conductor of the Rhode Island Philharmonic, Francisco Noya, and his brother Miguel Noya. This program, Electroshamanic Ceremonial Music with a Classical Touch, is a composition of original music with themes deeply connected to the sounds of WaterFire Providence. There will two performances, the first a 9:30pm and an encore peformance at 10:30pm.
Also, be sure to stop by Old Stone Bank on South Main Street where you’ll have the opportunity to check out the SteamPunk exhibition at Old Stone Bank in downtown Providence that has been produced by WaterFire as a creative placemaking project, and curated in partnership with Red Fork Empire and Steapunk United. This unique gallery show is free and open to the public from 2-11pm. In addition to fascinating artwork, performances from various performance artists, circus acts, and musicians are scheduled throughout the day, starting with Emperor Norton’s Stationary Marching Band at 7pm on the steps of Old Stone Bank, as well as a special concert and awards ceremony will be held at 10pm. This historic Providence landmark, built in 1854, is rarely open to the public so be sure to visit!
This WaterFire lighting is made possible by our Sponsors: Rhode Island Hospital Celebrating 150 Years of Caring, the Rhode Island Hospital Guild & The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University & National Grid.
Get around Providence easier!
The folks over at Experience RI have introduced a “hop on, hop off” shuttle that travels throughout Providence from 5pm to 1am every Saturday night. Tickets will entitle you to unlimited hop on/hop off service all night long from 5pm – 1am. Park for free at the State Offices parking lot immediately off of exit 23 (from I-95N), and hop on the Shuttle, or pick up the Shuttle at many other locations along the route (including: RI Convention Center, at WaterFire on Washington St, more). Once on board you will be taken to the most popular attractions around the city, including WaterFire, Providence Performing Arts Center, Trinity Repertory Theater, Federal Hill, Thayer Street, and much more! You will also receive discounts at scores of fantastic restaurants. In addition, while traveling from place to place, friendly drivers will tell you about the city.
Sunday, September 8th
Slater Mill’s Labor & Ethnic Heritage Festival
Enjoy one of Rhode Island’s longest-running folk music and heritage arts festivals. Now in it’s 26th year, this partnership between the Rhode Island Labor community and affiliated unions, and the Pawtucket Arts Festival, this event shines its spotlight on folk and ethnic music, historic Salter Mill, the artists of the Community Guild Studios, and gifted regional artists and artisans. This event is free and open to the public.
Free Seafood Festival at India Point Park in Providence
Where can you get the best seafood around? Check out the RI Seafood Fest at one of Providence’s most beautiful bay-side parks at historic India Point Park, located on the East Side near Wickenden Street. Free and family-friendly, enjoy some of the best seafood in all of Rhode Island and southern New England. The festival opens on Sunday at 11AM.
Other Events Throughout the City
- Block Island 15K “Run Around the Block”
- Savoring Rhode Island Walking Tour
- Hope Street Farmers Market
- One Day University
- The Providence Flea
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