Mayor Smiley Invites Providence to Celebrate Independence Day

Free live music and fireworks display to highlight annual Independence Day Celebration in India Point Park on July 2 from 5pm-9:30pm

PROVIDENCE, RI – Mayor Brett P. Smiley, the City of Providence Department of Art, Culture + Tourism and the Providence Tourism Council are pleased to announce the City’s annual Independence Day Celebration will be held at India Point Park on Tuesday, July 2 starting at 5:00 pm; programming will begin at 6:00 pm. The event’s rain date is July 3.

“I am thrilled to welcome everyone back to India Point Park for our annual Fourth of July Celebration,” said Mayor Brett Smiley. “I hope you will join us for exciting musical performances, our signature fireworks show and a family-friendly atmosphere that everyone can safely enjoy.”

This event is free and open to the public, featuring award-winning hip hop violinist Big Lux and the Hype, and the Nettukkuskqk Singers, an intertribal Native American Traditional music singing group. Visitors to the Independence Day Celebration can enjoy their favorite flavors of the Ocean State from more than 25 food trucks, and Narragansett Beer will provide a beer garden in the park during the event.

In the event of inclement weather, the Facebook event listing will be updated and a notification will be sent through the PVD311 app to notify the public of the July 3 rain date.

The City will also observe the following traffic plan to ensure easy access in and out of India Point Park throughout the event:

Road Closures:

·       Exit 1A (Old Exit 2), Gano Street, closes at 8AM, reopens at 11PM

·       India Street closed after 8:00am from Newport Ferry Landing to the I-195 off-ramp.

·       Customers of the Hilton Garden Inn and Narragansett Beerhall will be allowed to enter from Gano Street.

·       No stopping will be allowed on Route 95 or Route 195.

No Parking Areas:

·       India St. between South Main St. and Gano St., July 2 6AM- 11:59PM

·       George M Cohan Blvd. between Brook St. and East St., July 2 6AM- 11:59PM

·       Hope St. between George M Cohan and Wickenden St., July 2 6AM- 11:59PM

·       Gano from India to Trenton, both sides, July 2 6AM- 11:59PM

The City is working closely with our public safety agencies to ensure this year’s event is fun and safe, and have put forth the following guidelines for attendees:  

·                Earplugs will be available at the Arts, Culture and Tourism tent

·                Spectators are asked to be aware of their surroundings. If you see a suspicious person, object or vehicle in the park, please report the sighting to nearby law enforcement personnel.

·                Do not store or leave any personal items, backpacks, or packages unattended in the park.

·                Bags may be subject to random search.

·                No fireworks of any kind are allowed in the park.

·                No open flames of any kind are allowed in the park.

·                No drones.

·                Per the regulations of the Providence Parks Commission, skateboards and open flames/grilling will be prohibited in the park.

·                Expect delays when leaving after the fireworks.

·                The public is strongly encouraged to access the park by the India Point Park Walking Bridge located at East and Wickenden Streets.

The 2024 Independence Day celebration is made possible with support from the City of Providence and the Providence Tourism Council.