Rhode Island's Capital City Offers a Playground of Fun and Free Summer Happenings

From Providence's vibrant downtown to its eclectic neighborhoods, summer visitors to this renaissance city can enjoy great summer fun throughout the day and well into the evening. Because Providence is the perfect walking city, visitors can use the downtown area as a starting point and branch out to its connecting East Side, Federal Hill and Smith Hill neighborhoods for free summer fun that suits their fancy.

FREE PERFORMANCES
When it comes to free summer activities in Providence, three performing arts events have put the city on the national map, drawing tourists from throughout the U.S. and the world. The most notable summer activity that runs from May through October is Waterfire, created by award-winning sculpture Barnaby Evans. The fire sculpture features 97 floating bonfires along the three rivers that empty into Providence's downtown waterpark. The fragrant scent of aromatic wood smoke, the dancing firelight reflected on the water and framed by the arched bridges and the enchanting music draws thousands to Waterfire each summer. It's a work of art that touches all the senses and emotions of visitors who stroll along the riverfront's paths. In recent years, Waterfire has been expanded to include ballroom dancing and musical entertainment on nearby plazas.

Providence is also known as the site of New England's top summer music festival. Sound Session is a multi-stage, seven-day festival that takes place July 15-21 to celebrate the diversity of music and culture. Among the national acts that have performed at Sound Session are Ron Carter, The Funk Brothers, Ursula Rucker, King Britt and Tortured Soul. Sound Session 2007 performances take place throughout three locations: the Providence Black Repertory Company, 276 Westminster Street in downtown Providence, Waterplace Park, 1 Financial Way in the heart of downtown Providence, and the Providence Performing Arts Center on Weybossett Street in downtown Providence. Most performances are free, with some accessibly priced.