WaterFire Providence 2023 season includes 10 lightings. Here's the schedule and some tips

If you're looking to partake in one of Providence's favorite traditions, the 2023 WaterFire Providence schedule is here.

Every year, more than a million people come to downtown Providence to see the fires blaze along the river during the lightings, which typically take place a few nights a month during the season.

"The idea was, could we program and create an event that was absolutely free and would appeal to absolutely everyone from 5-year-olds to the governors?" said artist and event creator Barnaby Evans. "From bankers to a family who had no money at all but [wanted] to do something, and could they all come down and stroll through and have the best seats in the house?"

Three decades later, the event, funded through a nonprofit agency, is still free and still growing. New to the lineup this year is a lighting during PVD Fest in September.

2023 WaterFire Providence lighting schedule

This is the lighting schedule for the 2023 season as of April 19. More events may be announced during the season.

June

• Saturday, June 3, full lighting from sunset at 8:15 p.m. until midnight. The lighting is supported by RISD.

• Sunday, June 18, partial lighting at the Waterplace Basin from sunset at 8:23 p.m. to midnight. Supported by The 28th North American Catalysis Society Meeting

• Saturday, June 24, full lighting from sunset at 8:24 p.m. to midnight. Supported by Textron Charitable Trust.

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July

• Friday, July 14, partial lighting at the Waterplace Basin from sunset at 8:19 p.m. until midnight. Supported by Check the Stigma Hockey Classic to benefit Horizon Healthcare Partners

• Saturday, July 22, full lighting from sunset at 8:13 p.m. to midnight. Supported by Amica Insurance and Bank of America

August

• Saturday, Aug. 19, full lighting from sunset at 7:40 p.m. until midnight. It's the Clear Currents Fire Community Paddling Night, supported by Cox Business & Cox Media

September

• Saturday, Sept. 2, partial lighting from sunset at 7:17 p.m. to midnight. For Labor Day Weekend

• Saturday, Sept. 9, full lighting from sunset at 7:05 p.m. to midnight. Part of PVDFest and supported by Providence Tourism Council & Fidelity Investments.

• Saturday, Sept. 30, full lighting from sunset at 6:29 p.m. to 11 p.m. Supported by Rhode Island Department of Education, XQ Institute, Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation

November

• Saturday, Nov. 4, full lighting from sunset at 5:36 p.m to 10 p.m. For WaterFire’s Salute to Veterans.

What is WaterFire Providence?

More than 80 bonfires are lit in the middle of Rhode Island's three rivers, while fire-tenders on torch-lit vessels tend to the flames. Music from all over the world is played from the speakers, for a sensory event that combines sight, sound and the smell of the fires.

If you want to add taste to that, visit one of Providence's many downtown restaurants.

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The free event is a public art project that Barnaby said is about equality.

"It's a piece about absolute equality," he said. "It's a piece about belonging, and it threads art and music from all over the world from all the cultures we celebrate here in Rhode Island in one place. That was the idea."

What is the difference between a partial and a full lighting of WaterFire?

A full lighting of WaterFire lights up all of the braziers along Providence's three rivers. It's a stretch of about half a mile from Memorial Park to Providence Place.

A partial lighting covers just one section, for example, the braziers at Waterplace Basin or at Memorial Park. The event description will tell you where the lighting is happening.

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What's the best way to see WaterFire?

Rather than standing in one spot, organizers recommend walking along the river to take in how varied the different views are. There is no one best spot.

Where should you park during WaterFire?

There is street parking in the area, both free and paid, for those who want to go that route.

There are also several parking garages that are close to the event, including at Providence Place, 11 Providence Place; Atwells Lot, 55 Broadway Ave.; Empire Lot, 209 Fountain St.; and South Street Landing Garage, 330 Eddy St., according to WaterFire's parking page.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence WaterFire 2023 schedule: What to know it you go