Celebrate the vibrant culture and traditions of Cabo Verde at the 7th Annual Nha Tera Nha Kretchêu Festival, a full day of music, food, dance, family fun, and community at Festival Pier in Pawtucket.

Experience the sights, sounds, and flavors of Cabo Verde with live music and cultural performances, traditional foods, local vendors and artisans, kids’ activities, and entertainment throughout the day. Sports fans can also enjoy a regional men’s soccer tournament as part of the festivities.

The Pawtucket Empanada Fest serves as a popular, flavor-filled event running during the multi-week Pawtucket Arts Festival. Held at the City Hall Parking Lot, the highly anticipated evening gathering unites food enthusiasts from across Rhode Island to celebrate community culture, visual arts, and exceptional street food.

Celebrate Labor Day weekend with an afternoon of live original music, history, and community at one of Rhode Island’s most iconic historic landmarks.

Songwriters at Slater Mill brings together acclaimed regional singer-songwriters for an outdoor concert along the banks of the Blackstone River. This year’s lineup features Benjamin Quinn, Michelle Saylors, and J. Michael Graham, performing a mix of folk, Americana, roots music, and heartfelt original songwriting.

Experience one of Pawtucket’s most exciting cultural traditions at the 25th Annual Rhode Island Chinese Dragon Boat Races & Taiwan Day Festival, held along the Pawtucket River as part of the Pawtucket Arts Festival.

Spend the day cheering on teams as colorful dragon boats race down the river, while enjoying a vibrant celebration of Asian culture on shore. The festival features live cultural performances, authentic cuisine, family-friendly activities, and the always-popular dumpling eating contest.

Experience Rhode Island history through a powerful blend of theater, dance, ritual, and song with Soul Value, a special performance presented at Old Slater Mill in celebration of RI250 and the Pawtucket Arts Festival.

Celebrate the joy of music and Pawtucket’s talented local musicians at the Zabinski Music Studio Concert, part of the Pawtucket Arts Festival.

This special community performance showcases musicians from Zabinski Music Studio, a family-run Pawtucket music school that has been inspiring students for more than a decade. With musicians of different ages and experience levels, the concert is an opportunity to enjoy live music while supporting students as they share their talents with the community.

Celebrate Pawtucket’s vibrant creative community at the City Art Gallery, presented by the Pawtucket Commission on Arts & Culture as part of the Pawtucket Arts Festival.

Explore the latest exhibition at the City Gallery, located inside historic Pawtucket City Hall, and discover the work of artists who contribute to the city’s rich and diverse cultural landscape. Meet artists and fellow art lovers while enjoying an evening dedicated to creativity, conversation, and community.

A special children’s performance by: Bill Harley, Storyteller at the 28th Annual Slater Park Festival.

Step back in time to 1910 and celebrate one of Pawtucket’s most treasured landmarks at the Looff Carousel Heritage Festival, part of the Pawtucket Arts Festival and Slater Park Festival.

This free, family-focused celebration encourages healthy living, creativity, and positive community connections through hands-on activities and interactive experiences for children and families. Enjoy arts and crafts, face painting, bouncy houses, the always-popular Unicorn Corral, games, raffles, prizes, snacks, and more!

Screech Sprays at The Pitcher-Goff House for the opening of this year’s Pawtucket Arts Festival.

Experienced local graffiti artists will be creating original, collectible work in real time. The new arts organization Stink Tank, founded by AS220 founder Bert Crenca, will be hosting screeches — 3 minute monologues describing innovative arts endeavors, by their founders. And there will be whole shipping containers filled with curated art by a variety of creators.

Be there when it actually happens, watch the technique and art come together, and kick off your Pawtucket Arts Festival with a random experience you won’t soon forget.

Set inside Working Man’s unique craft distillery and tasting room, the evening brings together live music, locally made spirits, handcrafted cocktails, and the creative energy of Pawtucket’s arts community. Grab some friends, settle in with a drink, and enjoy a lively performance from Rotten Broads in one of the city’s distinctive local venues.

Kick off the 2026 Pawtucket Art Fest with the Pawtucket Arts Collaborative at its annual Art Fest Party! Join artists, art lovers, and the community for a lively evening filled with art, music, prizes, raffles, and plenty of creative energy at The Guild Brewery.

Come as you are or get into the spirit and break out your best steampunk attire! Whether you’re an artist, a longtime supporter of Pawtucket’s creative community, or simply looking for a fun night out, everyone is welcome.