Instead, it is one of the most romantic, breathtaking events one could imagine. At your own pace, you stroll with a loved one along city sidewalks and streets closed to traffic, under antique bridges, over cobblestone walkways. You listen to masterfully selected pieces of music, mostly instrumental, played from dozens of speakers hidden along the winding river. It puts you in a serene mood, a light, happy mood. You can't help but smile at the vendors selling roses along the path. There are places where you can take a picnic basket and hop onto a gondola for a closer view of the torches. The sun has set, yet you are not cold, warmed by the flames that are frequently stoked by volunteers (dressed in black, so as to not call attention to themselves) who sail by and rekindle the flames often. You stop at a bench, hold hands, and enjoy...

At least, this has been my experience every time I have attended Waterfire. Simply not to be missed!

Because the initial Waterfire project was so widely received, an encore was created for 1996. Since that time, Waterfire night has grown into a tradition that demonstrates the commitment to the revitalization of downtown Providence. Thousands of people descend on Providence for Waterfire events. Food vendors set up in Waterfront Park, selling their aromatic wares and street performers entertain small crowds with their antics. It’s a romantic place to cuddle up with someone with that juxtaposition of water and fire; or a great place to go by oneself for quiet introspection.

To further add to the ambience, music wafted through the air, and the style often changed between melodic classical pieces and haunting Gregorian music. The music is selected to represent world sounds in music, fusing ethereal sound with the minimalism of the beauty of the fires lit against the water. It never sticks to the same genre for more than a song either, so there is no room for getting bored with the music. Finally, the aroma of the open fires, reminiscent of a campfire wafts through the air rounding out the whole experience of melding emotions of sight, sound, and smell.

The lighting of the fires begins at sunset and continues until 1 A.M.

They light torches in the water, and play eerie music. The water is a small river that extends from the Providence Place Mall down to Hemenways resaurant. We have gondola rides in the river as well. Many restaurants and bars along the waterfire where you can relax with a cocktail.

Here's the actual description... in case I didn't describe it well enough :)
WaterFire Providence® , the award-winning sculpture by Barnaby Evans installed on the three rivers of downtown Providence, has been praised by Rhode Island residents and international visitors alike as a powerful work of art and a moving symbol of Providence’s renaissance. WaterFire’s sparkling bonfires, the fragrant scent of aromatic wood smoke, the flickering firelight on the arched bridges, the silhouettes of the firetenders passing by the flames, the torch-lit vessels traveling down the river, and the enchanting music from across the world all engage the senses and emotions of those who stroll the paths and bridges of Waterplace Park. WaterFire has captured the imagination of many thousands of people, bringing life to downtown, and continues to revitalize Rhode Island’s capital city