When are fall festivals held in the Providence area?

September and October are packed with fall festivals and events in and around Providence, right when the foliage is at its most colorful.

Are there any free fall festivals in Providence?

Yes. Swell Folk Festival on Sept. 20 is a free community music and arts festival at Lippitt Memorial Park.

What can I eat and drink at the Rhode Island Seafood Festival?

The festival features local seafood purveyors and other fine fare, plus beer, wine, and spirits from Rhode Island producers. It runs Sept. 12 and 13.

What's at the Columbus Day Festival on Federal Hill?

The Oct. 9–12 festival has more than 80 food, art, and retail vendors, plus games, amusement rides, and entertainment stages. Many Federal Hill restaurants also expand their seating or add menu items.

What time does the Columbus Day Parade start?

The annual Columbus Day Parade kicks off at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 12.

PRONK! is the Providence HONK! Festival, a community celebration of music on Oct. 12.

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Fall Festivals & Events in the Providence Area

A toddler in a ghost costume holds a parent's hand while walking with a crowd of trick-or-treaters in Halloween costumes along a downtown sidewalk on a sunny day

Fall Festivals & Events in the Providence Area

Fall in New England is one of the most beautiful times of the year. It's the perfect weather to enjoy festivals and events while taking in the colorful foliage. September and October are chock-full of fall activities, so take a look at a few of the festivals happening in and around Providence.

Rhode Island Seafood Festival – Sept. 12 & 13

This event brings together the best local purveyors of seafood and other fine fare, as well as beer, wine and spirits from Ocean State producers.

African Film & Arts Festival – Sept. 16–20

PVD World Music’s Annual African Film and Arts Festival shines a spotlight on contemporary films and filmmakers from Africa and the African Diaspora.

Swell Folk Festival – Sept. 20

Swell Folk Festival is a free community music and arts festival coming to Lippitt Memorial Park in Providence. Enjoy live folk and roots music, local vendors, food trucks, a beer garden, family activities, artisan markets, and more throughout the day.

Columbus Day Festival – Oct. 9–12

The festival features more than 80 food, art and retail vendors, games and amusement rides. Choose from Federal Hill restaurants that have expanded seating or are offering additional menu items. Entertainment stages will be located throughout the festival grounds. On Sunday, October 12, the annual Columbus Day Parade kicks off at 11 a.m.

Scituate Art Festival – Oct. 10–12

Now in its 60th year, this festival is a favorite Rhode Island Columbus Day weekend tradition.

Crowds walk down a tree-lined street beneath a 'Welcome Scituate Art Festival' banner, with colorful fall foliage and vendor tents lining the road

Providence HONK! Festival (PRONK!) – Oct. 12

This antidote to mainstream culture invites people to come together for the celebration of music.

When are fall festivals held in the Providence area?: September and October are packed with fall festivals and events in and around Providence, right when the foliage is at its most colorful.
Are there any free fall festivals in Providence?: Yes. Swell Folk Festival on Sept. 20 is a free community music and arts festival at Lippitt Memorial Park.
What's happening at Swell Folk Festival?: Expect live folk and roots music, local vendors, food trucks, a beer garden, family activities, and artisan markets throughout the day.
What can I eat and drink at the Rhode Island Seafood Festival?: The festival features local seafood purveyors and other fine fare, plus beer, wine, and spirits from Rhode Island producers. It runs Sept. 12 and 13.
What's at the Columbus Day Festival on Federal Hill?: The Oct. 9–12 festival has more than 80 food, art, and retail vendors, plus games, amusement rides, and entertainment stages. Many Federal Hill restaurants also expand their seating or add menu items.
What time does the Columbus Day Parade start?: The annual Columbus Day Parade kicks off at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 12.
What is PRONK!?: PRONK! is the Providence HONK! Festival, a community celebration of music on Oct. 12.