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 30, 2026 - Jun 15, 2027
A Bug's World at Roger Williams Park Zoo
- Roger Williams Park Zoo & Carousel Village
- May 30, 2026 - Aug 9, 2026
Canine Champions for Conservation
- Roger Williams Park Zoo & Carousel Village
- May 30, 2026 - Sep 6, 2026
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
- May 30, 2026 - Jun 21, 2026
City Sights by Sea: Narrated Boat Tours of Providence
- Providence River Boat Company
- May 30, 2026 - Oct 24, 2026
Clues & Brews: Murder Mystery Beer Tour
- Providence Marriott Downtown
- May 30, 2026 - Mar 27, 2027
Crime and Cuisine on Federal Hill
- Giuseppe Garibaldi Park and the Welcome Gateway
- May 30, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026
Dark Tales: Haunted Authors of Providence Tour
- Providence Tour Company
- May 30, 2026 - Dec 26, 2026
Discover Providence Tour
- Experience Rhode Island Tours
- May 30, 2026 - Oct 31, 2026
Disney's The Lion King
- Providence Performing Arts Center
- May 30, 2026 - Jun 7, 2026
Enchanted Tarot
- May 30, 2026 - Nov 14, 2026
Gather Farm Goat Hikes
- Gather Farm
- May 30, 2026 - Dec 27, 2026
Glass Blowing Classes
- Gather: Glass Blowing Studio
- May 30, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026
Ice Cream Making Classes
- The Cold Work Studio @ Gather Cafe
- May 30, 2026 - Dec 27, 2026
In the Gallery: Something of the Marvelous
- Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum
- May 30, 2026 - Jun 21, 2026
Live Music Saturdays at Moonshine Alley
- Moonshine Alley
- May 30, 2026 - May 20, 2028
Make Your Own Blown Glass Floppy or Twisty Bowl - May 2026
- May 30, 2026 - Jun 27, 2026
Make Your Own Glass Vase - May 2026
- May 30, 2026 - May 31, 2026
Next to Normal
- Trinity Rep
- May 30, 2026 - Jun 28, 2026
On Being American: Contemporary Artworks, Echoes of the Past
- May 30, 2026 - Jun 20, 2026
Providence Ghost Tour
- May 30, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026
Ring Making Workshops
- May 30, 2026 - Mar 6, 2027
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents The Greatest Show on Earth
- Amica Mutual Pavilion
- May 30, 2026 - May 31, 2026
Root Down Yoga @ Gather Farm
- Gather Farm
- May 30, 2026 - Jun 13, 2026
Sarto's Late Night Lounge
- Sarto
- May 30, 2026 - Sep 19, 2026
Tea and Scones on the Porch
- Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum
- May 30, 2026 - Aug 30, 2026
Voices of Resilience: Hidden History of Providence Tour
- May 30, 2026 - Dec 26, 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.