Family Friendly

Providence Children’s Museum, Rhode Island’s only hands-on museum especially for children and their families, inspires learning through active play and exploration. The Museum presents interactive exhibits and hands-on programs that explore the arts, culture, history and science and embrace a wide range of learning styles and forms of expression.

Spend the day at Roger Williams Park Zoo, one of the nation's oldest zoos, set on 40 beautifully landscaped acres in Providence. Home to more than 130 species from around the world, the zoo lets visitors explore naturalistic habitats featuring African elephants, giraffes, zebras, a red panda, a snow leopard, New England's only Komodo dragon, and much more.This ticket provides daytime general admission. When purchasing, guests select a specific date and arrival time slot, and once inside may stay as long as they like during operating hours. The zoo is typically open 9 am to 4 pm, with last admission at 3:30 pm, and an average visit takes about an hour and a half. Toddlers ages one and under are free. Please note that tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable, and that evening events such as the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular require a separate ticket.

Glide through the city’s shadowy waterways where legends, whispered stories, and a touch of the supernatural set the perfect spooky scene

Create Your Sweet Masterpiece!

Explore the heart of Rhode Island's capital on this walking tour of downtown Providence. Discover how the city evolved from its colonial roots along the Providence River to become a thriving manufacturing and transportation hub. Learn about the area's rich architectural heritage, from its Art Deco skyline to its carefully preserved historic buildings. Experience the vibrant mix of arts, culture, education, and business that has earned Providence the nickname "The Creative Capital."

We will walk you step by step through making an ornament of your very own.  From applying color to the glass, heating your ornament, and inflating it with air, you will experience firsthand the thrill of making hand blown glass art.During this hands-on class, you’ll blow your own glass ornament. Choose your combination of colors and with the guidance of our glass blowing instructors, you’ll learn how to shape, blow, and form your ornament step by step.

Wander the fields and forest of Gather Farm on a guided goat hike with farmer Aidan Simmons and her friendly herd.

The Parasols and Pocket Watches Tour is a 90 minute (+/- 10 minutes) walking tour of historic Benefit Street, known as "The Mile of History." Get to know the people and events that have shaped this street, our city, and our state. It is an elegant stroll through time!Benefit Street is a fairly flat street. We will not ascend or descend College Hill on this tour. It is appropriate for people of most activity levels and mobility needs. Please note, the sidewalk is uneven, so please wear stable, comfortable footwear.This tour meets at the gates of the Tillinghast Cemetery, beside Barker Playhouse on Benefit St.

There are 5 exhibit halls (2 levels) and a lobby exhibit. Current Exhibits are: Circle of the Sea: Re-Visited and Re-Imagined EGGSTRAVAGANZA: History and Science of Bird EggsJames Webb Space Telescope: Uncovering the Hidden UniverseUrban Wildlife: Nature at Your DoorstepSeismic Shifts: Earth through TimeWe are working on two new exhibits opening soon!

The San Giuseppe Feast, or Feast of St. Joseph, was once a cherished tradition in Providence's Federal Hill neighborhood, celebrated annually on March 19th. This event honors St. Joseph, the patron saint of Sicily, who is believed to have ended a severe drought in the Middle Ages through his intercession. In gratitude, Sicilians began the custom of wearing red on this day, similar to wearing green on St. Patrick's Day. A highlight of the feast is the indulgence in zeppole—luscious Italian pastries filled with cream—available at local bakeries throughout Federal Hill. The Federal Hill Commerce Association is proud to bring this tradition back to honor and celebrate in warmer month from June 6-8. Festivities will include a procession along Atwells Avenue, two stages of live entertainment, meatball and zeppole contests, food from local restaurants and vendors, shopping, rides and games.  Participants are encouraged to wear red in honor of St. Joseph.Friday 5 p.m. - 12 a.m.Saturday 11a.m. - 12 a.m.Sunday 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.

Performances: December 17 – 10:00am - Discover Dance December 17 – 7:00pm December 18 - 7:00pm December 19 – 1:00pm*, 6:30pm December 20 – 1:00pm*, 6:30pm December 23 – 6:30pm December 26 – 1:00pm*, 6:30pm December 27 – 1:00pm* *Meet the Stars add-on! Make memories to last a lifetime with the Nutcracker Meet the Stars post-show experience at all matinee performances! Guests will get a special swag bag and private access to the stars of The Nutcracker just moments after you see them center stage! A cherished holiday tradition returns, bringing sparkle, magic, and Rhode Island charm to the holiday season. Join Clara on her enchanting journey from a festive Christmas Eve celebration to the breathtaking Land of Sweets, where toy soldiers battle, snowflakes whirl, and dreams come vividly to life. Featuring stunning choreography by Yury Yanowsky, Tchaikovsky’s beloved score, and performances by Ballet RI’s professional company artists alongside local youth from across the community, The Nutcracker is a joyful celebration of wonder, imagination, and holiday magic for audiences of all ages.

Come enjoy a day outside where shopping, eating, music and friends are all brought together in one place! The Gaspee Days Arts & Crafts Festival is a free, fun and family-friendly experience that showcases over 100 fine artisans, community groups, and non-profits where you will find one-of-a-kind arts and delicious craft fair eats. Pawtuxet Park fills with live music by our hand-picked local bands while children enjoy the many amusements available. Over 60,000 people will walk up and down Narragansett Parkway on Memorial Day Weekend, enjoying the atmosphere of this long-time tradition. If you've never been, you're missing out so come join the fun!

The Providence Friars men's basketball team represents Providence College in NCAA Division I competition.

The largest home improvement and idea show in Southern New England! Featuring the “Specialty” RI Flower Show, the 10,000 sq ft Garden Experience, the Annual Energy Expo, the new House of Brews, and the Inspiration Showcase! Plus, hundreds of home-related exhibitors with trends, & services!

Cirque du Soleil’s first-ever holiday-themed family theatrical, ’TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE…, makes its debut in Providence.It’s the holidays, and this year, things are different. For years, Isabella and her father have read “A Visit from Saint Nicholas” together. But this year Isabella feels like she’s outgrown the family tradition. What follows is a magical journey as the poem comes to life in a vibrant, festive flurry of love and cheer with the breathtaking acrobatics Cirque du Soleil is known for – from a mesmerizing aerial straps duo and daring hoop diving to gravity-defying hair suspension and high-energy dancing. The production is performed by a cast of 26 artists from around the world and features lovable characters alongside a soundtrack of Christmas favorites reimagined by Cirque du Soleil.Part of the Encore Series

The performance is based on the script Dickens himself used during his public reading tours. This timeless story is vividly brought to life by actor and dramatic storyteller Michael Langlois, in full Victorian costume. The reading seamlessly blends storytelling and theatre to create a captivating, one-of-a-kind show perfect for the holidays. Blithewold's elegantly decorated Dining Room is the perfect setting to relax and be transported to Dickensian England as you enjoy a new presentation of this classic holiday story. Gingerbread and seasonal hot drinks (with "extra cheer" available) will be served during intermission. Michael is a dynamic performer, director, and storyteller with decades of experience on the stage. Learn more about him here. Registration Required. Program not suitable for children under 12.

This is Bluey’s Big Play, For Real Life. When Dad feels like a little bit of time out, Bluey and Bingo have other plans! Join them as they pull out all of the games and cleverness at their disposal to get Dad off that bean bag. Bluey’s Big Play is a theatrical adaptation of the Emmy® awardwinning children’s television series, with an original story by Bluey creator Joe Brumm, and new music by Bluey composer, Joff Bush. Join the Heelers in their first live theatre show made just for you, featuring brilliantly created puppets, this is Bluey as you’ve never seen it before, brought to real life.Bluey’s Big Play is presented by BBC Studios and Andrew Kay in association with Windmill Theatre Co.

The Providence Friars men's basketball team represents Providence College in NCAA Division I competition.