Night falls, WaterFire comes to life, as the deep peal of a bell moves the setting sun on its way. The evening's music begins, accompanying the crackling fires. This is truly the world's music—perhaps a city siren blending into an operatic aria. A piano, soft rapture, lilting guitar, crisp percussion, then the drifting fragment of a full orchestra. The slowly moving crowd, mostly silent as it all takes hold.

Water and fire are the heart of WaterFire. Intensely varied flames replace the city's steady electric light. Providence's historic architecture glows in the firelight. Reflected images reach up from the Woonasquatucket and Moshassuck Rivers, and a ribbon of shimmering light winds through the city's park. Water and fire are antithesis, but elementally eternal, each viewer—each of our guests—interprets these images in a unique way. We enjoy hearing their excited reactions, sometimes ecstatic, sometimes melancholy; musical, or deeply religious.

The citizens of Providence and the surrounding communities mingle with visitors who have come from across an ocean or over the iconic I95 highway' just to witness WaterFire. With global recognition and success of this unique experience, Providence itself has been recreated.

This inspiring event is Produced by the Herculean efforts of Barnaby Evans, for whom each canvas of WaterFire is an opportunity to intentionally reaffirm community.

Hotel Providence enjoys a pivotal location in the city's historic downtown district through the changing seasons. As the inaugural lighting of WaterFire nears each year, with our special location, we are honored to be part of this quintessential Providence event. Our history and our future are entwined with this, Providence's living art form.

All full WaterFire installations usually occur on Saturday evenings. Lighting is just after sunset, burning until just past midnight. Our guests enjoy the events and performances along the water, returning to the beautiful Hotel Providence, their hearts filled with memories of this exquisite setting and their part in these memorable events.