This September, the heartbeat of the Creative Capital quickens as PVDFest returns to downtown Providence for its 11th year. On Friday, September 5, and Saturday, September 6 (with a rain date of Sunday, September 7), the city’s signature outdoor arts festival will once again transform the streets into an immersive celebration of creativity, culture, and connection.
Announced by Mayor Brett P. Smiley and founding producing partner FirstWorks, PVDFest 2025 promises a dynamic expansion of its beloved format, featuring participatory art, genre-defying performances, and bold multicultural expression. “Each year, PVDFest brings neighbors together from across the city and beyond to celebrate our vibrant arts scene and the diversity that defines us,” said Mayor Smiley. “We can’t wait to welcome everyone back downtown for another unforgettable experience.”
Leading this year’s artistic charge is Brouhaha, a jaw-dropping street performance by the acclaimed Pittsburgh ensemble Squonk. At its center is the “Squonkcordion”, a colossal, sound-breathing contraption that invites audiences to become part of the spectacle. Festivalgoers will parade through the streets, inflate a 30-foot puppet head, and co-create an explosive moment of sound, movement, and shared joy.
Visual art takes a bold new form in honor of AS220’s 40th anniversary. A large-scale commemorative mural will debut through a collaboration with The Avenue Concept, adding fresh vibrancy to the cityscape. Meanwhile, the ever-popular PVDFest Mural Battle, led by local muralist AGONZA, returns to energize crowds with a high-octane, live painting showdown.
The evenings promise radiant innovation. Pneuhaus will unveil a brand-new illuminated installation that transforms public space using inflatable light structures. At the same time, Haus of Codec hosts the Illuminated Market, a vibrant celebration of LGBTQIA+ creators through art, performance, and a bustling night-market atmosphere.
Music also takes center stage. Motif Magazine’s Battle of the Bands will showcase the region’s rising musical talent, while the #MVTHACRWD hip hop competition ups the stakes with a $1,000 prize and a prime PVDFest performance slot. DJ culture gets its due as Frequencies of PVD returns with curated sets from collectives including LOWKEY, Keep It Movin’, and The Collective PVD.
In addition to performances and art, the festival will feature limited-edition merchandise by Frog & Toad, live glassblowing by Gather Glass, and a wide array of local food vendors dishing out crowd-pleasing favorites. Performer applications remain open until June 6.
“PVDFest is a living work of art that spills joyfully into our streets,” said Kathleen Pletcher, Executive Artistic Director of FirstWorks. “It’s about connection, wonder, and the power of the arts to bring us together.” For the latest updates, schedules, and ways to get involved, visit pvdfest.com.
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