Grab your calendar and make sure you've got these dates saved! We've rounded up some of the hottest (and coolest) events and festivals coming to Providence this year. Check out our monthly guide to these can't-miss events. And, be sure to take a look at the events calendar for other exciting things happening in The Creative Capital. While you're planning, why not browse our hotel getaway packages and stay for a few days?

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January July
February August
March September
April October
May November
June December

RWP Food Truck FridayMay

Dragons & Mythical Creatures (now through Aug. 11) – Visit Roger Williams Park Zoo & Carousel Village for a mythical journey featuring life-sized animatronic dragons, unicorns, mermaids and more. Bring your imagination and watch these fantastic creatures move, roar and even breathe smoke!

Food Truck Fridays (now through Sep. 27) – Celebrate 10 years of Food Truck Fridays at Roger Williams Park Zoo & Carousel Village! End your week with an ever-changing lineup of the best local food trucks, beer and wine from Trinity Brewhouse, and live music from a variety of local musicians and bands. 

International Portuguese Music Awards (May 4) – On stage at the Providence Performing Arts Center and featuring performances by prominent artists, the International Portuguese Music Awards recognizes outstanding achievement in the music industry by artists of Portuguese ancestry. 

"Symphonie Fantastique!" (May 4) – The Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra presents the "Symphonie Fantastique," featuring conductor Thomas Wilkins and Kelly Hall-Tompkins on violin at The VETS.

WaterFire - Partial Lighting (May 11) - The first partial WaterFire lighting of the season kicks off at sunset in Waterplace Park.

"Cinderella" (May 10–​12) – Ballet RI's world premiere production of "Cinderella" is at The VETS and promises elegance, comedy and fun for the whole family!

An Evening with David Foster and Katharine McPhee (May 12) – Join David Foster and Katharine McPhee at PPAC for an intimate evening of performances and storytelling.

Kansas 50th Anniversary Tour (May 17) – One of America's iconic classic rock bands hits the PPAC stage to celebrate their legendary career.

Raffi (May 19) – Children's entertainer Raffi is coming to The VETS to perform his iconic "Baby Beluga" and lots more!

"Once" (May 23–June 16) – Wilbury Theatre Group presents Tony Award-winning "Once," which features folk-rock ballads and an ensemble that plays their own instruments.

"La Cage Aux Folles" (May 30June 30) – Trinity Rep's spring musical is funny, genuine and full of show-stopping numbers!

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RI Pride

June

WaterFire (June 1) – Head to Waterplace Park at sunset to experience the series of bonfires installed on the rivers of Downtown Providence, along with live performers and vendors.

Festival of Historic Houses (June 8) – The Providence Preservation Society hosts this annual self-guided tour of private homes and gardens in the Elmwood Neighborhood.

Gospel Festival Allstar (June 8) – Award-winning gospel singers Yolanda Adams, Shirley Caesar and Hezekiah Walker perform for the first time in Rhode Island at the Amica Mutual Pavilion (AMP).

Jay Wheeler: The Trappii Tour (June 14) – Puerto Rican urban artist Jay Wheeler brings his highly anticipated Trappii Tour to the AMP.

Rhode Island PrideFest & Illuminated Night Parade (June 15) – Beginning at 11 a.m. at the 195 District Park, followed by the parade in the heart of Downtown Providence at 8 p.m.

RI Anime Con (June 15–​16) – Visit the biggest Anime Con in the smallest state at the RI Convention Center.

From Free to Freedom: A Juneteenth Celebration (June 19) – As part of PPAC's Wonders of the Wurlitzer series, join house organist Peter Edwin Krasinski and Ricardo Pitts-Wiley of Mixed Magic Theatre as they present a journey that spans continents in celebration of Juneteenth.

Ben Platt (June 20) – See Ben Platt's Honeymind Tour at PPAC along with Brandy Clark, songwriter for Broadway musical "Shucked."

Gregory Alan Isakov (June 21) – Indie-rock and folk musician Gregory Alan Isakov brings his Appaloosa Bones tour to PPAC.

Ladies ❤️ R&B Volume 2: MONICA (June 21) – Five of R&B's most iconic voices, including Monica, Joe and Dru Hill, come to the AMP for an evening of electrifying performances.

Providence Oddities & Curiosities Expo 2024 (June 22–​23) – The first traveling event exclusively dedicated to oddities vendors and dark artists in the country heads to the RI Convention Center. You'll find items such as taxidermy, antiques, handcrafted oddities and more.

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July 4th Fireworks at Night in Providence, RI

July

Providence Independence Day Celebration (July 4) – Providence has always had an independent spirit, and the Fourth of July is the perfect time to showcase that! 

WaterFire Providence (July 4) – WaterFire's aromatic wood smoke, flickering firelight and enchanting music provides a multi-sensory experience along the three rivers of Downtown Providence.

Providence Restaurant Weeks (July 7–20) – Take advantage of two weeks of dining specials including lunch, dinner and prix fixe menus.

John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band (July 13) – Hometown rockers John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band return to the Providence Performing Arts Center with special guests Steve Smith and the Nakeds.

Patton Oswalt: Effervescent (July 20) – Award-winning comedian Patton Oswalt comes to The VETS with his Effervescent tour.

Nas with the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra (July 20) – See Grammy Award-winning rap musician Nas perform at PPAC with the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra.

WaterFire Providence – Partial Lighting (July 30) – Head to Waterplace Park for a partial lighting, supported by the American Association for State Compensation Insurance Fund (AASCIF) Annual Conference.

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RI International Film Festival

August

Flickers' Rhode Island International Film Festival (Aug. 6–11) – RIIFF features screenings, filmmaking workshops, meet-and-greet events and even world premieres of independent films from around the world.

Cirque du Soleil: "OVO" (Aug. 1–4) – Cirque du Soleil returns to the Amica Mutual Pavilion with "OVO," a day in the life of insects, portrayed through show-stopping acrobatics. From crickets on trampolines to a contortionist spider, it will charm children of all ages.

Brett Goldstein: The Second Best Night of Your Life (Aug. 10 & 11) – Best known for his role as Roy Kent on the hit show "Ted Lasso," actor, writer and producer Brett Goldstein comes to PPAC for two nights of stand-up comedy.

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party (Aug. 10 & 11) – Fan favorite Hot Wheels Monster Trucks come to life at the AMP with a laser light show, dance parties and Hot Wheels toy giveaways. Special kids pricing is available for all shows!

NecronomiCon Providence (Aug. 15–​18) – Celebrate the weird in fiction, art and academia with four days of festivities in Providence, the birthplace of weird.

WWE Raw (Aug. 26) – See your favorite WWE superstars live at the AMP for a televised edition of Monday Night Raw!

WaterFire Providence (Aug. 31) – Head to Waterplace Park at sunset for this award-winning fire sculpture installation along the rivers of Downtown Providence. Live performers and local vendors enhance the experience.

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Seafood Festival

September

PVDFest (Sept. 6–​7) – Providence's signature outdoor arts festival, featuring world-class performances, cutting-edge art, savory food options and more.

RI Seafood Festival (Sept. 7–​8) – This annual event brings the best local seafood restaurants along with Ocean State beer, wine and spirits to India Point Park

WaterFire Providence (Sept. 21) – WaterFire's combination of aromatic wood smoke, flickering firelight and enchanting music draws visitors to Providence every year.

"A Beautiful Noise – The Neil Diamond Musical" (Sept. 21–28) – See the National Tour Launch of this Broadway production featuring the story of Neil Diamond's life and career at Providence Performing Arts Center.

Beervana Festival (TBD) – Celebrate craft beer at Beervana. Ticket includes a tasting glass and unlimited 2 oz. pours of some of the most diverse beers in the world.

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JOLS 2022

October

Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular (TBD) – Roger Williams Park Zoo's annual fall event features thousands of artistically carved pumpkins. Stay tuned for details on this year's theme!

WaterFire Providence (Oct. 5) – Head to Waterplace Park at sunset for a lighting of this series of bonfires along the three rivers of Downtown Providence.

"Shucked" (Oct. 20–27) – See the National Launch of this hilarious new musical about corn at the Providence Performing Arts Center.

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RI Comic Con Costumes

November

RI Comic Con (Nov. 1–3) – Rhode Island's premier pop culture event brings the biggest guests from Marvel, Star Wars and more to the RI Convention Center and the AMP!

WaterFire Salute to Veterans (Nov. 2) – A community-wide event to honor all U.S. veterans, active and reserve military personnel and their families for their service. 

"Mamma Mia!" (Nov. 12–17) – Providence Performing Arts Center's Encore Series kicks off with the return of "Mamma Mia," the timeless musical told through the hits of ABBA.

Mercy Me & Toby Mac (Nov. 14) – Toby Mac and Mercy Me, two of the biggest names in Christian music, bring their chart-topping hits to the AMP.

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Holiday Lights at the RWP Zoo

December

Three Nights of Lights (TBD) – This annual event features three days of citywide events incorporating the theme of light, including activations from WaterFire, The Avenue Concept and more.

Holiday Lights Spectacular (TBD) – Roger Williams Park Zoo's festive, larger-than-life display features more than 3.5 million illuminated lights, transforming the zoo into a winter wonderland! 

"Hamilton" (Dec. 11–22) – Fan favorite "Hamilton" returns to the Providence Performing Arts Center to tell the epic saga of Alexander Hamilton's life as he helps shape the course of a nation.

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2025 Dates

Stay tuned for next year's events, too. We'll be adding 2025 event dates as they become available.

January

Providence Restaurant Weeks – Participating restaurants offer lunch and dinner specials, as well as prix fixe menus, breakfast, signature cocktails and more! Restaurant Weeks runs twice a year, in January and July.

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February

RI VegFest (TBD) – More than 85 vendors, nonprofit organizations, restaurants, artists and more create a fun and welcoming space at the WaterFire Arts Center for those who are vegan, vegetarian or just plant curious.

Providence Children's Film Festival (TBD) – This annual festival presents the best of independent and international children's cinema to connect a diverse community of children and families in Rhode Island and New England.

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March

RI Craft Beer Week (March 7–16) – Celebrate Rhode Island's beer manufacturers with events at your favorite bars, restaurants, package stores and RI's 35+ breweries.

Providence St. Patrick's Day Parade (TBD) – Celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Providence with Grand Marshal Dan McGowan and Deputy Grand Marshal James Riley.

NCAA March Madness (March 20–22) – March Madness comes to Providence in 2025! Providence College hosts the First and Second Rounds of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship at the Amica Mutual Pavilion.

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April

WaterFire – Stay tuned for the 2025 WaterFire Season Schedule announcement in April.

Riverdance (April 4–6) – Celebrate 30 years of Riverdance at the Providence Performing Arts Center with this spectacular production, featuring a "new generation" of performers.

75th Annual RI Home Show (April 10–13) – Save the date for the 75th anniversary of largest home improvement show in Southern New England. 

"Some Like it Hot" (April 22–27) – This story of two musicians fleeing Prohibition-era Chicago comes to PPAC with an irresistible combination of laughter, song and dance.

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