PVDFest

September 8–10, 2023

PVDFest is Providence’s signature outdoor arts festival. Each year, the city comes alive for a free three-day festival celebrating arts, culture, food and more from around the globe and our very own backyard. The city's 195 District Park will host world-class performance stages, cutting-edge art, savory food options and much more. PVDFest is brought to you by the City of Providence and FirstWorks.

Friday, Sept. 8 features Downtown block parties and three hours of DJ sets and live performances from stay silent PVD beginning at 5 p.m. Craft vendors will be stationed throughout the Innovation District Park from 12–8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9, with performances from stay silent PVD (including a City-Wide Electric Slide), Providence rap and hip-hop artist Flawless, and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award-winner Mavis Staples. Following the musical performances, a full-basin WaterFire will light up the Downtown rivers. Sidy Maiga's Afrika Nyaga drum and dance festival on Sunday, Sept. 10 will celebrate African culture and the Diaspora. Sunday's lineup includes Grammy-Award winning Oumou Sangaré, Afro beat artist Wunmi, Malian hip-hop artist Master Soumy. They'll be joined by Manolo Mairena & La Pura Vida, a New England-based salsa group, and dance performances from local groups Projetu Batuku and Haus of Glitter Dance Company.

Rhode Island-based art and design studio Pneuhaus, which specializes in public art installations, will transform the public space with their immersive sculptures for the duration of PVDFest. 

Transportation & Parking

For GPS directions, use Providence Innovation District Park as your destination. Bike and scooter rentals will be available through Spin, Bird Rides and Veo Ride. Bike racks can be found in various locations near the festival site. For ride shares, 1 Kennedy Plaza or 1 Dorrance St. are recommended drop-off/pick-up sites. Keep in mind that there will be road closures for the festival, so plan ahead if you're planning to drive (and consider carpooling). The South Street Landing Garage is the closest to the event, but additional paid parking is available at various Downtown lots and garages. 

Views from PVDFest