December 1–3, 2022

Make the season bright during Providence’s Three Nights of Lights. This three-day festival will include citywide events, all incorporating the theme of light.

Experience three evenings of WaterFire, Providence’s signature arts event, featuring a series of bonfires illuminating downtown’s rivers. The Avenue Concept will be creating a nighttime public art gallery with illumination, sound and cultural experiences, offering different ways to interact with mural and sculpture exhibits throughout Downtown. Enjoy an outdoor projection presented by FirstWorks, one of Rhode Island’s leading arts and cultural organizations. From tree lightings to holiday shopping events, the city will be aglow with warm light and holiday cheer.

Check out below for details about Three Nights of Lights festivities.

WaterFire's Holiday Celebration

Enjoy three nights of WaterFire, with partial lightings Thursday, Dec. 1, Friday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, Dec. 3 from 5:30–9 p.m.

On Friday, Dec. 2, Santa’s Village opens at 5:30 p.m. at Skyline's ground floor patio and Santa will arrive by boat during the WaterFire lighting. Each of the three nights of the WaterFire Holiday Celebration will feature Holiday ArtMart vendors and food trucks offering seasonal treats. A toy drive benefitting the families of Children’s Friend will be taking place each night (plus more options to donate throughout the month of November). Additional programming is planned for each night. 

FirstWorks Festivities

Due to technical issues with refrigeration at the Providence Rink, the ice will not be ready in time for FirstWorks’ originally scheduled performances featuring Montréal’s Le Patin Libre during the Three Nights of Lights festival Thursday, Dec. 1. FirstWorks has rescheduled the international ice-dancing company to appear on Thursday, Dec. 8 with three, free performances of their show-stopping hits at 6, 7 and 8 p.m., followed by an ice-skating dance party until 9:30 p.m. at the BankNewport City Center/Providence Rink. 
 
A special remastered outdoor video projection of “FirstWorks’ Urban Carnevale – A Musical Celebration,” will continue as planned during Three Nights of Lights on Friday, Dec. 2 from 5-9 p.m. on the façade of Trinity Rep, on Empire Street across from the Providence Public Library.

The Avenue Concept Nighttime Public Art Gallery

Mural and Sculpture Illumination + Activation with Lighting, Sound and Culture: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Dec. 1–3, 5–9 p.m.

The Avenue Concept will illuminate 12 murals and sculptures throughout downtown. Each night, activations will add layers of sound and performance to the exhibits and will be staggered to allow people time to explore the route. Activation partners include Tomaquag Museum, Center for Southeast Asians, The Columbus Theatre, Julio Berroa and local restaurant and business promotions in their self-guided tours.

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