Rhode Islanders are juggling the World Cup, Juneteenth, Pride, Father’s Day and the unofficial start of peak beach traffic this weekend. (Nothing says Summer Solstice like a packed calendar. Oof.)
In Providence, tens of thousands of people could be moving between PrideFest, the Illuminated Night Parade, the PVD FanZone and Juneteenth celebrations from Friday, June 19 through Sunday, June 21. Meanwhile, Newport is hosting the Newport Flower Show, Juneteenth programming, Father’s Day activities and events tied to the Newport Bermuda Race.
In other words, this weekend is the equivalent of checking the menu before your meal. Here’s what you need to know about events and getting around before heading out.
The big thing to know: Super-sized Saturday
Downtown Providence will likely be busiest Saturday afternoon and evening, when Rhode Island PrideFest (11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.), the Illuminated Night Parade (8 p.m.) and the PVD FanZone (11 a.m. to 10 p.m.) all overlap.
That puts two major event sites on opposite sides of downtown, with the parade route and regular weekend nightlife occupying much of the area between them.
So, here’s our big recommendation: On Saturday afternoon and evening, avoid driving through downtown Providence. Park on the edge of the city (scroll for options) and walk to your destination. Here are the streets you’ll want to avoid entirely, as they’ll be closed for the parade:
- Greene Street
- Empire Street
- Washington Street
- Dorrance Street
- Weybosset Street
Vehicles parked along the parade route may be inaccessible until streets reopen. Even streets that remain open may become difficult to navigate as police officers temporarily stop traffic for marchers, pedestrians, buses and event operations.
The Providence rundown: Day by day
Friday, June 19
Taste of Juneteenth New England: Celebrates food traditions of the African diaspora and provides a marketplace for Black-owned businesses.
When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Farm Fresh Rhode Island, 10 Sims Ave., Providence
Cost: Free
What to look out for: Sims Avenue has limited on-street parking, and the area around Farm Fresh Rhode Island can become congested during large events. Friday is also Juneteenth, a state and federal holiday, so RIPTA will operate on a Sunday and holiday schedule.
PVD FanZone: Offers World Cup viewings, including the United States vs. Australia at 3 p.m. and Scotland vs. Morocco at 6 p.m.
When: 1 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Where: Station Park, Providence
Cost: Free
What to look out for: Street parking immediately around the PVD FanZone is limited. Use the train, ride-share service, Providence Place garage or the free PVD FanZone trolley when possible.
Saturday, June 20
Festival: 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at District Park, 120 Peck St., Providence.
Parade: Approximately 8 p.m. along Empire and Washington streets
Cost: Free, with a suggested $5 festival donation
PrideFest includes entertainment, food and more than 200 vendors. The Illuminated Night Parade begins after sunset and continues through the downtown arts and business districts.
What to look out for: This will likely be the biggest traffic event of the weekend in downtown Providence. Remember to check out our no-parking list above before you head out.
PVD FanZone: Offers World Cup viewings, including Netherlands vs. Sweden at 1 p.m., Germany vs. Ivory Coast at 4 p.m. and Ecuador vs. Curaçao at 8 p.m.
When: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: Station Park, Providence
Cost: Free
What to look out for: Extra walking time in your schedule. The PVD FanZone and PrideFest are on opposite sides of downtown, with the parade route and other weekend crowds between them.
Sunday, June 21
Juneteenth RI Festival: Includes live music, food from Black-owned businesses, vendors and community programming.
When: Noon to 7 p.m.
Where: Temple to Music, Roger Williams Park
Cost: Free
What to look out for: Expect backups around Elmwood Avenue, Broad Street, Park Avenue and the park’s internal roads around midday. Parking inside Roger Williams Park is limited and may require a longer walk as nearby spaces fill.
PVD FanZone: Offers a stacked lineup on Sunday, including Spain vs. Saudi Arabia at noon, Belgium vs. Iran at 3 p.m., Uruguay vs. Cape Verde at 6 p.m. and New Zealand vs. Egypt at 9 p.m.
When: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Where: Station Park, Providence
Cost: Free
What to look out for: Father’s Day restaurant traffic could overlap with PVD FanZone crowds, especially later in the day. Which brings us to…
Rhode Islanders may seek sun and sand during the first major holiday weekend of the summer.
Note: The Rhode Island Department of Health is recommending that people avoid swimming at Easton’s Beach in Newport, Oakland Beach in Warwick and Briar Point Beach in Coventry because of high bacteria counts.
What to do: Buy a state beach parking pass online before leaving home, but remember that a pass does not guarantee entry if the lot is full. Expect the heaviest traffic during late morning on routes leading toward Narragansett, Scarborough, East Matunuck and Misquamicut.
The transit puzzle
If you’re driving
The best strategy is to park once and walk. Rhode Island Pride lists several parking alternatives for parade goers:
- South Water Street metered parking
- Freeway Garage, 36 Pine St.
- South Street Parking, 330 Eddy St.
- Public garage parking, 280 Richmond St.
- The Arcade Garage, 66 Weybosset St.
- Providence Place, 11 Providence Place
Know before you go: The Arcade Garage is close to the parade route, so entering or leaving during parade time could be difficult, even if the garage itself remains accessible.
For the PVD FanZone, the closest garage is across the street at Providence Place. Drivers can also use other downtown garages, surface lots and legal street parking, then walk to Station Park. ADA-accessible parking for the PVD FanZone is designated on Francis Street between Smith and Gaspee streets.
If you’re taking the train…
This is your best bet if you’re headed to the PVD FanZone – which is located next to the Providence Amtrak and MBTA commuter rail station.
Once you arrive, you can exit through the glass doors near Café La France, then turn left and follow the sidewalk around the perimeter of Station Park. You’ll find the entrance gate on the right at Finance Way and Francis Street.
… or the trolley
The PVD FanZone is also operating a free trolley on select tournament dates. It will travel in a continuous loop between the PVD FanZone and several downtown neighborhoods, hotels and attractions, including Federal Hill and College Hill.
The trolley is a leisure service, not a scheduled transit service. It will not follow a strict timetable, and seats are first come, first served.
Hours this weekend:
Friday, June 19: Noon to 11 p.m.
Saturday, June 20: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday, June 21: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
If you’re ride-sharing
Drop-off areas for the PVD FanZone are available near Providence Station on Railroad Way and near the Rhode Island State House. Avoid requesting a pickup directly beside the PVD FanZone entrance after a major match or event. Walking a few blocks away from the largest crowds may make it easier for a driver to reach you.
If you’re riding RIPTA
RIPTA will operate on a Sunday and holiday schedule on Friday, June 19, Juneteenth.
On Saturday, RIPTA plans to detour 29 Providence-area routes for Pride. Routes 17, 18, 19 and 31 will be detoured from approximately 3 to 6:30 p.m. A broader group of routes serving Kennedy Plaza and downtown will be affected later in the day for the parade.
If you’re biking or… scooting?
Biking or using a scooter may help you avoid parking problems downtown, but you can expect heavy pedestrian traffic.
Cyclists should dismount in dense festival areas and around the parade route. Do not lock bikes to temporary fencing, parade infrastructure, accessible ramps or emergency equipment.
The bottom line
Rhode Island will be busy this weekend. Very busy. That’s not necessarily a reason to stay home. But let this be our plea: Please do not drive into the middle of Providence at 7:45 p.m. on Saturday, stare at a barricade on Dorrance Street and act surprised. We warned you.
