ThinkPVD

ThinkPVD redefines how people experience Providence’s world-class creative community, unique neighborhoods, rich cultural life, and local economy. Since 2020, we have learned so much as a community about our own resilience and compassion. On this page you will find information about free parking, special event permits, visiting Providence, and more.

The holidays are upon us. Join us for one or all of our upcoming holiday events!

Tree Lighting Ceremony on City Hall Steps

Friday, December 2, 2022, 5:00PM

25 Dorrance Street

Providence, RI 02903

Skate Show and Tree Lighting Ceremony

Saturday, December 3, 2022, 4:30PM

BankNewport Rink

2 Kennedy Plaza

Providence, RI 02903

Hanukkah Spectaculah

Sunday, December 18, 2022, 3:00PM

Biltmore Park

Providence, RI 02903

Parking Perks

Free two-hour parking will be available in designated commercial districts throughout Providence through December 31, 2022. Two hours of free parking will be offered every day from 10:00 AM until 9:00 PM in the following commercial districts:

• Angell Street
• Atwells Avenue – Bradford Street to Knight Street
• Spruce Street – Dean Street to Acorn Street
• Dean Street – Atwells Avenue to West Exchange Street
• Acorn Street – Spruce Street to Atwells Avenue
• Bradford Street – Atwells Avenue to Jones Street
• Bond Street – Atwells Avenue to Spruce Street
• Broad Street – Public Street to Montgomery Street
• Downtown Providence – bounded by Fountain Street, Memorial Boulevard, Weybosset Street, Empire Street and Friendship Street (from Dyer Street to Dorrance Street)
• Hope Street – Rochambeau Avenue to Blackstone Boulevard
• North Main Street – Thomas Street to Park Row
• Olneyville Square – Route 10 to Sydney Street and Delaine Street to Atwood Street to Magnolia Street
• South Main Street – James Street to Packet Street
• Point Street – From Eddy to East Franklin Street
• Thayer Street – Bowen Street to Waterman Street
• Wayland Square – East Angell Street/Angell Street to Gano Street and Wayland Avenue from Angell Street to Pitman Street
• Waterman Avenue
• Wickenden/Ives – Wickenden Street at Benefit Street to Ives Street at Preston Street

Residents are visitors are encouraged to download the free Passport Parking app which can be found on the City’s PVD311 mobile app or downloaded from the App Store or Google Play. Users can also manage their parking online at passportparking.com.

Passport Parking is a convenient, reliable, touch-free way to pay for parking. Launched in Providence six years ago, the app offers an additional payment method for parking and eliminates the need to interact with frequently-touched public surfaces, such as parking meters. Users will be able to remotely pay for and extend their parking session from their smartphone without the need to go back and feed the meter.

How it works:

1. Users download the Passport Parking app from the App Store or Google Play
2. Create an account
3. Load a payment method for future parking sessions
4. Start new parking session and enter parking zone number

Parking meter violations will not be issued during free two-hour parking in legal parking spots in the specified districts. However, parking time limits will still be enforced.

Visiting Providence

Providence is known for its arts and cultural offerings, architectural features and world-class culinary offerings. Local restaurants, businesses and many of Providence’s top attractions are open to the public – and waiting for you! Be sure to check for up-to-date information about modified hours of operations and need for advance reservations. Visitor information can be found at www.goprovidence.com.

Maximizing Our Outdoor Spaces

The City of Providence streamlined the special event permitting process to help event coordinators produce safe and secure events and community celebrations.

Special Event and Use Permits

Outdoor events and activities remain among the safest ways for different households to spend time together. The City’s Special Event and Use Permits still allows event producers the opportunity to utilize outdoor public spaces like streets, parks, and plazas for public gatherings like pop-up programs, community block parties, concerts, festivals, food truck events, outdoor markets — and now also create. opportunities for brick and mortar businesses to bring their work outside.

Filming in Providence

The City of Providence is one of the best places for filming in the US. To encourage filmmakers to use Providence locations in their next production, the City will be waiving City Service fees for film and approved media productions under $14M. Learn more about filming in the city here.

Event Planning

The City of Providence’s interdepartmental City Service team is a great resource for new and experienced event producers alike. Please contact Lizzie Araujo-Haller with questions about your event, including assistance with applications, information about insurance and liability, and site maps.

Equipment Guidelines

Please review the Fire Department’s guidelines about equipment including tents and propane storage before investing. Public safety and accessibility are critical to using outdoor public spaces. Site plans are required with a Special Events application and members of the City Service team will review submissions with this in mind.

Borrowing Equipment

PWCVB Event Lending Library

The Providence Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau (PWCVB) launched an Event Lending Library to provide tourism-related businesses, neighborhood associations, and other non-profits in the Providence/Warwick area with access to equipment for outdoor events. With more than 600 pieces of equipment available, the lending library contains a lot of those necessary yet hard-to-find or hard-to-store items to host an outdoor event.. Community partners can complete an online application at goprovidence.com/lendinglibrary to request items such as tables, chairs, tents, heat lamps, sanitization equipment, and more. Items can be checked out for one to two weeks at a time at no cost.