2026 Events MAY
GASPEE DAYS ARTS AND CRAFTS FESTIVAL May 23 – 25: Narragansett Parkway, Warwick, gaspee. com
ROGUE ISLAND COMEDY FESTIVAL May 21 – 24: Various locations around Newport and Portsmouth, rogueislandcomedyfest. com
PROVIDENCE PORCHFEST May 30: East Side of Providence, providenceporchfest. com
JUNE
OCEAN STATE IMPROV FESTIVAL June 3 – 7: Contemporary Theater Company, Wakefield, contemporarytheatercompany. com
FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA June 6: Salter Grove Memorial Park, Warwick, gaspee. com
BRITISH MOTORCARS IN BRISTOL June 12 – 13: British Motorcars New England, Downtown Bristol, britishmotorcarsinbristol. com
GASPEE DAYS PARADE June 13: Narragansett Parkway, Warwick, gaspee. com
SOUTH COUNTY PRIDE June 13: Contemporary Theater Company, Wakefield, southcountypride. org
RAGGED ISLAND MUSIC FEST June 13 – 14: Ragged Island Brewing, Portsmouth, raggedislandbrewingmusicfestival. com
|
BURNING OF THE GASPEE June 14: Pawtuxet Cove, Warwick, gaspee. com
THE NARRAGANSETT SUMMER NIGHTS 5K June 18: Mount Hope Farm, Bristol, summernights5k. com
THE NEWPORT FLOWER SHOW:“ PEARLS OF NEWPORT” June 19 – 21: Rosecliff, Newport, newportmansions. org
RHODE ISLAND PRIDE June 20: Various locations, Providence, prideri. org
NARRAGANSETT ARTS FESTIVAL June 20 – 21: Veterans Park, Narragansett, wakefieldrotary. org
JUNETEENTH FESTIVAL June 21: Roger Williams Park Temple to Music, Providence, juneteenthri. com
NEWPORT PRIDE June 27: Various locations, Newport, newportprideri. org
ZOOBILEE! PARTY WITH A PURPOSE June 27: Roger Williams Park Zoo, Providence, rwpzoo. org
|
Where to park: Though WaterFire starts at dusk, arrive early to get parking close by. There are non metered spots on Benefit Street and parking is free after 6 p. m. with prime spots on North Main Street.
What to bring:
• A light jacket or sweater. The nights get chilly and the trek back to the car will take you away from the warmth of the fire.
|
• A blanket. Unless the idea of sitting directly on cold blocks of granite or stone appeals.
• Cash. It will come in handy for the vendor markets and food truck-lined streets. Or you can pack a picnic.
Best places for viewing: Near the bridges at RISD and along the Canal Walk. If you get there early, you can snag a seat on the side of the canal. With an outdoor theater-like setup, Waterplace Park is a great place to catch the initial lightings and see the river aglow.
Get another perspective: To get even closer to the action, take a romantic ride down the Providence River during Water- Fire. Boat rides from Providence River Boat Company and La Gondola Providence both last thirty minutes. providenceriverboat. com; gondolari. com
Check waterfire. org for event dates and details.
|
PHOTOGRAPHY:( FROM LEFT TO RIGHT) NICK MILLARD / GOPROVIDENCE; DISCOVER NEWPORT / FRANCESCA DOLNIER; COURTESY OF RI PRIDE; NICK MILLARD / GO PROVIDENCE. |