WaterFire announces 2021 lighting season

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – At a press conference attended by Governor Dan McKee, Mayor Jorge Elorza, and others, WaterFire announced its 2021 season Wednesday night.

This season includes four full lightings and five partial lightings.

The season will open with a full lighting on Saturday, September 4, “thanking COVID heroes.” Other lightings include a BIPOC Arts, Technology and Business Night, WaterFire’s 25th Birthday Celebration, and a WaterFire Salute to Veterans.

The full 2021 schedule is as follows:

Saturday, September 4 (Labor Day Weekend)
Thanking COVID Heroes including Essential Workers
Full lighting

Thursday, September 9
Supported by Pannone Lopes Devereaux & O’Gara LLC
Celebrating their 15th anniversary
Partial lighting

Saturday, September 18
Celebrating Educational Excellence in RI with RI Department of Education
Partial lighting

Friday, September 24
Supported by University of Rhode Island
URI Foundation & Alumni Engagement
Partial lighting

Saturday, October 2
“Then. Now. Next: 50 Years of Women at Providence College”
Supported by Providence College
Full lighting

Saturday, October 16
Supported by BIPOC Arts, Technology and Business and Brown University
Full lighting

Wednesday, October 27
WaterFire’s 25th Birthday Celebration!
Supported by the RI Manufacturers Association
Partial lighting

Saturday, November 6
9th Annual WaterFire Salute to Veterans
Full lighting

Saturday, December 4
WaterFire Celebrates the Holidays
Partial lighting

“We couldn’t be happier or more excited about getting back downtown and on the river to make the magic of WaterFire happen,” said Peter A. Mello, WaterFire Providence’s managing director and coCEO. “In addition to the State of Rhode Island and the City of Providence, we are grateful that many other businesses and organizations have stepped up to make the 2021 season possible.”

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, 2020 was the first time in WaterFire’s 25-year history that there were no lightings.