Winter Things to Do in Providence
Looking for some cold weather fun? Round up your family and friends and head to Providence, RI. Experience the charm of winter in New England, along with sophisticated arts, culinary and shopping scenes.
Visit the city's eclectic and trendy neighborhood boutiques or downtown's Providence Place. Dine in any one of Providence's stellar restaurants and you'll see why the city is a nationally recognized food destination.
Providence has plenty of indoor and outdoor fun, including skating and ice bumper cars at The Providence Rink and the renowned RISD Museum. The season is also packed with events. Browse through our calendar below, then book a cozy hotel stay. Start planning now.
February Vacation Fun
With school vacation just around the corner, you'll probably be looking for some family-friendly ways to keep the kiddos entertained. From indoor ways to keep warm while you play to winter adventures at the zoo, there's so much happening that you could plan a different adventure every day!
Restaurant Weeks
Providence Restaurant Weeks offers two weeks of dining specials and offers to enjoy at participating Providence area restaurants.
Providence Culinary Collective
The Providence Culinary Collective returns with a standout collection of events and experiences, including signature tastings, demos, and specially curated paired dinners honoring the city’s culinary legacy.
More Cold Weather Fun
Performing Arts
The theater, Oscar Wilde said, is where we go to get a sense of what it means to be human, because nothing matches the power of a live performance. Providence has long packed a wallop when it comes to the breadth and depth of its performing arts scene.
Roger Williams Park Zoo
Plenty of zoo animals enjoy the cold. Even the flamingos get frisky when the temperature drops. The zoo offers Winter Wonder Days, which features half-price admission. It’s a great time to visit the tropics and check out the Faces of the Rainforest exhibit.
Providence Children's Museum
The Providence Children's Museum has a wide range of play-friendly and excellently educational exhibits. Take advantage of Metlife Family Friday when the museum is free from 5–8 p.m., from June through August.
Event Spotlight
$15 Moonshine Flights & Moonshine Tasting
- Moonshine Alley
- May 8, 2026 - Jul 21, 2026
A Bug's World at Roger Williams Park Zoo
- Roger Williams Park Zoo & Carousel Village
- May 8, 2026 - Aug 9, 2026
Azalea Days
- May 8, 2026 - May 31, 2026
Bristol Art Museum Presents-Still Growing: Art Inspired by Trees
- Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum
- May 8, 2026 - May 10, 2026
Calle Caliente
- May 8, 2026 - Apr 14, 2028
Crime and Cuisine on Federal Hill
- Giuseppe Garibaldi Park and the Welcome Gateway
- May 8, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026
Dark Tales: Haunted Authors of Providence Tour
- Providence Tour Company
- May 8, 2026 - Dec 26, 2026
Date Night Glassblowing-BYOB - May 2026
- May 8, 2026 - Jun 26, 2026
Discover Providence Tour
- Experience Rhode Island Tours
- May 8, 2026 - Oct 31, 2026
DJ Night at Bar'Lino
- Bar'Lino Ristorante
- May 8, 2026 - Apr 23, 2027
Family-Friendly Interactive Improv Comedy Show
- May 8, 2026 - Nov 20, 2026
Food Truck Friday Roger Williams Park
- Roger Williams Park Zoo & Carousel Village
- May 8, 2026 - Sep 25, 2026
Friday Night House Party
- May 8, 2026 - May 22, 2026
Friday Stained Glass: Garden Collection - May
- May 8, 2026 - May 29, 2026
Gather Farm Goat Hikes
- Gather Farm
- May 8, 2026 - Dec 27, 2026
Glass Blowing Classes
- Gather: Glass Blowing Studio
- May 8, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026
Happy Hour at Il Massimo
- Il Massimo
- May 8, 2026 - Apr 22, 2027
Happy Hour at Yellow Door Taqueria!
- Yellow Door Taqueria
- May 8, 2026 - May 1, 2028
Ice Cream Making Classes
- The Cold Work Studio @ Gather Cafe
- May 8, 2026 - Dec 27, 2026
Kelsey Cook
- Comedy Connection of Rhode Island
- May 8, 2026 - May 9, 2026
Kimberly Akimbo
- Providence Performing Arts Center
- May 8, 2026 - May 10, 2026
Ladies Night Make Your Own Stemless Wine Glass - May
- May 8, 2026 - May 29, 2026
Late Night Interactive Improv Comedy Show
- May 8, 2026 - Nov 20, 2026
Live Music Fridays at Moonshine Alley
- Moonshine Alley
- May 8, 2026 - May 5, 2028
Lunch Special at Bar'Lino
- Bar'Lino Ristorante
- May 8, 2026 - Apr 23, 2027
Machinal
- Ballet Rhode Island
- May 8, 2026 - May 10, 2026
Massimo Lunch Special
- Il Massimo
- May 8, 2026 - Apr 23, 2027
Mother's Day at the Riddle Room
- Riddle Room
- May 8, 2026 - May 11, 2026
Music Bingo + Li’l Rhody Pizza Party — Every Friday at ISCO Spirits
- ISCO Spirits
- May 8, 2026 - Apr 28, 2028
Our Bad: Trans and Immigrant Comics Apologize for Ruining America
- May 8, 2026 - May 16, 2026
Primary Trust
- Trinity Rep
- May 8, 2026 - May 10, 2026
Providence Ghost Tour
- May 8, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026
PVD Cello Fest
- May 8, 2026 - May 9, 2026
Sarto's Late Night Lounge
- Sarto
- May 8, 2026 - Sep 19, 2026
Local Restaurants
You'll find a wide range of nationally recognized dining options in Providence.
Providence Hotels
Providence offers plenty of lodging choices for all tastes and budgets.
Local Shopping
From boutiques to department stores, Providence offers ample shopping.