One of the most striking large-scale public art installations in the world, WaterFire in Providence, Rhode Island, draws thousands of visitors each year to the city’s three rivers. Created by artist Barnaby Evans, the installation fills the river surface with flickering flames and shimmering reflections that transform the urban waterfront into a calm, luminous landscape.
Originally conceived as an urban revitalization project, WaterFire began as a site-specific sculptural work. The first iteration, titled First Fire, was created in 1994 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the First Night Providence festival. The project expanded with Second Fire in 1996, and by 1997 it evolved into the ongoing series known today as WaterFire.
Today the installation includes 80 individual fires tended by trained fire attendants. These braziers are arranged along the rivers and are lit in coordinated sequences on scheduled evenings, producing an immersive experience of light, warmth and sound. Visitors can stroll the riverwalk, relax in riverside cafés, enjoy the scent of wood smoke, and hear live music that accompanies some lightings. The atmosphere blends visual spectacle with a sense of communal ritual, making it a popular destination for both locals and tourists.
Lighting events vary in scale—from partial lightings to full illuminations involving all 80 braziers—and are held on select nights through the season. For details on dates, types of lightings and locations, consult the event’s official schedule. Each lighting offers a slightly different experience, shaped by weather, music and the number of fires lit, so returning visitors often discover new nuances with each visit.
As an artwork rooted in site and community, WaterFire has played a significant role in Providence’s cultural landscape, helping to animate the rivers and draw attention to the city’s downtown. The project’s combination of elemental fire, reflective water and public participation creates a memorable sensory experience that continues to inspire audiences and contribute to urban revitalization efforts.