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The 14th annual tribute brings veterans and active-duty service members into a full WaterFire lighting on November 7, 2026.
All times are local to the venue · America/New York
The fires in Providence’s river parks will be joined by another circle of flames for the 14th Annual Salute to Veterans. WaterFire plans for 150 veterans carrying torches to enter WaterPlace Park Basin and form a Ring of Fire during the lighting.
The ceremony honors Rhode Island veterans and active-duty military personnel from all branches. It takes place during the lighting of the WaterFire braziers, making the procession part of the evening’s public artwork rather than a separate event beforehand.
WaterFire began with artist Barnaby Evans’s First Fire, commissioned for the 10th anniversary of First Night Providence in 1994. It developed into an ongoing installation across downtown’s rivers; the Salute to Veterans brings a specific community tribute into that longer public-art tradition.
Further reading: Saturday, November 7, 2026 – 14th Annual Salute to Veterans - WaterFire Providence ↗ · WaterFire’s History - WaterFire Providence ↗
Veterans and active-duty service members are invited to sign up as torchbearers through the event page. Veterans who need mobility assistance can request a stationary position on the form: they can hold a torch during the ceremony without walking in the procession.
For ceremony questions, WaterFire lists Justin DeGraide at [email protected].
Further reading: Saturday, November 7, 2026 – 14th Annual Salute to Veterans - WaterFire Providence ↗
For visitors considering an additional experience, WaterFire Circle is a separately ticketed reception where guests can come and go during the evening. Its advertised refreshments include light bites, wine, beer, coffee and desserts.
Circle guests can also sign up on site for a boat ride during the lighting. The ride is included with the reception ticket, but places are limited and assigned first come, first served; a ticket does not guarantee a ride. The reception location can vary by night.
Further reading: Saturday, November 7, 2026 – 14th Annual Salute to Veterans - WaterFire Providence ↗
The tribute is scheduled during the full lighting, not at a separately announced ceremony time.
Onshore programming and vendors open at 3:30 p.m. The full lighting begins at the listed sunset of 4:32 p.m. and continues until 10 p.m. The torch ceremony has no separately announced start time.
Saturday, November 7, 2026 – 14th Annual Salute to Veterans - WaterFire Providence ↗
General admission terms are not stated. The optional WaterFire Circle reception requires its own ticket.
Saturday, November 7, 2026 – 14th Annual Salute to Veterans - WaterFire Providence ↗
The torch ceremony is at WaterPlace Park Basin in downtown Providence, not at the WaterFire Arts Center on Valley Street. WaterFire lists 4 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02903, as its GPS address, though the installation extends beyond a single point.
The organizer’s interactive map offers walking and driving directions to individual points of interest from your starting location.
Saturday, November 7, 2026 – 14th Annual Salute to Veterans - WaterFire Providence ↗ · Plan Your Visit | WaterFire Event Map - WaterFire Providence ↗ · Parking and Directions - WaterFire Providence ↗
WaterFire says the installation is one block from Providence Train Station, served by Amtrak and MBTA commuter rail. For drivers, it lists the Providence Place Mall garage near the west end of the installation and recommends 1 Providence Place for GPS. Check current parking terms before leaving your car.
It is planned during the full lighting, but a separate start time has not been announced. The listed 4:32 p.m. sunset marks the start of the lighting, not a confirmed ceremony time.
Saturday, November 7, 2026 – 14th Annual Salute to Veterans - WaterFire Providence ↗
Yes. Veterans who need mobility assistance can request a stationary torchbearer position on the sign-up form.
Saturday, November 7, 2026 – 14th Annual Salute to Veterans - WaterFire Providence ↗
No. Circle guests can sign up on site for an included ride, but space is limited and rides are first come, first served.
Saturday, November 7, 2026 – 14th Annual Salute to Veterans - WaterFire Providence ↗
No. The ceremony is planned for WaterPlace Park Basin downtown. The WaterFire Arts Center is a separate location on Valley Street.
Saturday, November 7, 2026 – 14th Annual Salute to Veterans - WaterFire Providence ↗
4 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02903
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 2026-10-28 against the linked sources.