PROVIDENCE, RI – Mayor Brett P. Smiley, the Providence Department of Art, Culture and Tourism, and the Providence Tourism Council (PTC) invite neighbors and visitors to experience a festive, fun-filled weekend in Providence as celebrations bring light, culture, and community to the season. PVD Holiday Fest, which includes Saturday’s City Hall Tree Lighting, runs from now through December 7, with dozens of events spanning Downtown Providence and Federal Hill.
“Providence shines during the holidays, and I invite everyone to take part in the experiences that bring us closer as a community,” said Mayor Brett Smiley. “This season offers so many meaningful opportunities to celebrate and connect with neighbors and loved ones. Whether you are spending time Downtown at one of our incredible events, supporting your favorite neighborhood shops, or taking in the lights throughout our parks and public spaces, I hope you feel the sense of community and celebration that defines our city.”
The City’s signature City Hall Tree Lighting will take place on Saturday, December 6, with entertainment throughout the afternoon and evening. Programming at the Providence Rink includes DJ Corva at noon, Party with Rami from 3 to 5 PM and DJ LadyRuck from 7 to 9 PM. Beginning at 4 PM, The City Hall stage lineup includes the Saxophone Choir, Lillian Feinstein Choir, the Mixed Magic Exult Choir and headliner Nova One. Before the headliner performance, Santa will arrive in style just in time to count down to the spectacular tree lighting on the steps of City Hall.
In collaboration with The Avenue Concept, the City of Providence is also presenting a new storefront window installation at the former ProJo building along Eddy and Fulton Streets. The activation, which runs through March, celebrates the completion of the Ripples Project, which brought six new signature murals and artwork on fifty electrical boxes to every Providence neighborhood.
In addition to the City Hall Tree Lighting and Rink programming, PVD Holiday Fest weekend features a range of public activities produced by local partners. Highlights include:
- FirstWorks’ presentation of Le Patin Libre’s “Glide,” a free ice performance at the Providence Rink on Friday evening, followed by a community skate party.
- The Avenue Concept will host guided Holiday Lit Mural Tours on Friday and Saturday evening, offering families a chance to explore downtown public art starting from the PVD Downcity Holiday Market on Grant’s Block.
- Illuminate PVD returns with a festive holiday stroll led by the Providence Drum Troupe and pop-up performers from Biltmore Park to Grant’s Block and the rink.
- WaterFire will hold a partial holiday lighting on Friday, December 5 at Waterplace Park with Santa, roaming entertainment, and activities hosted by partner organizations.
- Christmas on the Hill on Saturday, December 6 will bring choirs, festive displays, and pop-up performances to Atwells Avenue.
- Burnside Park will host Pneufest for four nights with large-scale soft sculptures by Pneuhaus, music from Stay Silent, and specialty holiday drinks.
- The PVD Downcity Holiday Market at Grant’s Block will run throughout the weekend with vendors, entertainment, workshops, and family activities that showcase local artists and small businesses.
A full schedule of events is available on the PVD Holiday Fest website.
Supported by the Providence Tourism Council, a special Downtown Trolley will run on Saturday, December 6 from 11:30 AM to 6 PM. Riders can board and exit at The Graduate Hotel on Dorrance Street, DePasquale Square on Federal Hill, the corners of Eddy and Westminster and Mathewson and Westminster, The Renaissance Hotel on Avenue of the Arts, and Grant’s Block Park. The trolley provides convenient connections to shopping, dining, performances, and PVD Holiday Fest events.
Two-hour free parking at metered spaces in commercial districts is available through January 1. This annual effort supports Providence merchants by encouraging people to shop and dine locally.
The Providence Rink and the City’s new Rinkubator space are open all weekend. The Rinkubator program, which provides pop-up space at the Biltmore Park kiosk for local entrepreneurs during rink hours, maintains a public schedule on the Rink’s calendar.
“We are thrilled to welcome visitors to celebrate the holidays in Providence as we launch the PVD Holiday Festival and a month-long slate of festive events—from the PVD Downcity Holiday Market and ice-skating shows to community workshops, live music, performance artists, tree lightings, WaterFire, and more,” said Alexis Gorriarán, Chair and Commissioner of the Providence Tourism Council. “We invite everyone to experience the magic of the season in the Creative Capital and discover the vibrant charm of our city.”
For a complete list of seasonal events, visit the PTC’s new holiday programming website at pvdholidayfest.org.