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All times are local to the venue · America/New York
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The Dec. 31 gathering is a compact bridge edition of WaterFire: volunteers will light five braziers at the Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial Bridge, not along the full river route.
All times are local to the venue · America/New York
Five braziers on a downtown pedestrian bridge—not a chain of fires along Providence’s rivers—define WaterFire’s New Year’s Eve Starts at Sunset. The gathering is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 31, with WaterFire volunteers lighting the Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial Bridge.
Starts at Sunset is a standalone format on the Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial Bridge. That makes it a different kind of visit from a full WaterFire lighting, which spans the downtown river parks and uses more than 80 braziers. For this date, the announced focus is the bridge and its five fires, not a walk along the larger installation.
The community series began in 2023. Its listing invites artists and observers, but does not name participating artists or announce individual performances for Dec. 31. Visitors looking for a particular act or a full-lighting programme will not find one in the published details.
Further reading: Starts at Sunset | GoProvidence ↗ · 2026 WaterFire Providence Event Schedule - WaterFire Providence ↗ · WaterFire Providence | GoProvidence ↗
The event listing identifies WaterFire volunteers as the people lighting the five braziers. It does not provide a performance lineup or timed activities, so the reliable basis for planning is the bridge gathering itself rather than the stages, vendors or other elements associated with a full WaterFire event.
Further reading: Starts at Sunset | GoProvidence ↗ · 2026 WaterFire Providence Event Schedule - WaterFire Providence ↗
The event-time listing gives 5:00–9:00 p.m.; the season schedule describes the lighting as running from sunset, listed at 5:30 p.m., to 9:00 p.m. Check WaterFire’s current event information if the precise opening or lighting time matters to your plans.
2026 WaterFire Providence Event Schedule - WaterFire Providence ↗ · Starts at Sunset | GoProvidence ↗
The event address is 365 S. Water Street, Providence, RI.
2026 WaterFire Providence Event Schedule - WaterFire Providence ↗ · Starts at Sunset | GoProvidence ↗
The bridge-event listing does not state admission terms. GoProvidence’s general WaterFire information says admission is free and donations are welcomed, but confirm with WaterFire if you need the terms for this particular gathering.
Starts at Sunset | GoProvidence ↗ · WaterFire Providence | GoProvidence ↗
The event listings do not provide an age rule or reservation instructions. Contact WaterFire if either detail affects your plans.
Starts at Sunset | GoProvidence ↗ · 2026 WaterFire Providence Event Schedule - WaterFire Providence ↗
GoProvidence’s general WaterFire guidance describes events as rain-or-shine, while noting that serious weather or unsafe river conditions can lead to cancellation. It says cancellation updates are usually posted on WaterFire’s website and social channels on the event day; check those sources before setting out.
Navigate to 365 S. Water Street, the address listed for the Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial Bridge. WaterFire’s 4 N. Main Street GPS address refers to its broader river installation, not this bridge gathering. The event map link can calculate directions from your own starting point.
Starts at Sunset | GoProvidence ↗ · 2026 WaterFire Providence Event Schedule - WaterFire Providence ↗ · Parking and Directions - WaterFire Providence ↗ · Plan Your Visit | WaterFire Event Map - WaterFire Providence ↗
WaterFire’s general directions describe downtown Providence as walkable and place its broader event area one block from Amtrak Providence Station. They also note MBTA commuter service from Boston and rail service between T.F. Green Airport and downtown. These are general downtown connections, not bridge-specific route instructions.
WaterFire’s parking guide covers downtown lots, garages and metered parking for the wider river installation, but does not name a parking facility specifically for this bridge event. Check current parking information and posted signs before you travel.
The event listing does not describe access arrangements for the bridge gathering. WaterFire’s map shows accessibility points for general site planning, but does not specify what applies to this activation. For event-specific information, WaterFire lists (401) 273-1155.
Starts at Sunset | GoProvidence ↗ · Plan Your Visit | WaterFire Event Map - WaterFire Providence ↗
The event-time listing gives 5:00–9:00 p.m.; the season schedule lists sunset at 5:30 p.m. and an end time of 9:00 p.m. Check WaterFire’s current information if precise timing matters.
2026 WaterFire Providence Event Schedule - WaterFire Providence ↗
No. This is a standalone bridge gathering with five braziers. A full lighting uses more than 80 braziers along the downtown river installation.
2026 WaterFire Providence Event Schedule - WaterFire Providence ↗ · WaterFire Providence | GoProvidence ↗
The Dec. 31 listing does not specify admission terms. GoProvidence’s general WaterFire information says admission is free, so confirm the terms for this edition with WaterFire.
Starts at Sunset | GoProvidence ↗ · WaterFire Providence | GoProvidence ↗
GoProvidence’s general WaterFire guidance says events are rain-or-shine but may be canceled for serious weather or unsafe river conditions. Check WaterFire’s website or social channels on the day.
365 S. Water Street, Providence, RI
Map search by venue and address. Check the organiser’s entrance details before travelling.
Images from the linked sources. Each caption identifies the context of the image.
Event, planning and background information checked 2026-11-07 against the linked sources.