Providence Unlocked
Imagine receiving a set of keys to historic homes, theaters, sacred spaces, secret vaults, studios and more, for free. For one day, the Doors Open Rhode Island Festival provided free, special access to 24 one-of-a-kind places across Providence. We already wrapped up our first festival, but look forward to organizing another one in 2019.
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Providence Unlocked
On Saturday, September 23 we handed the keys of the city over to the people. We opened the doors to 24 unique locations across Providence, providing behind-the-scenes access without tickets or reservations. A free event, we welcomed more than 4,000 people who made a total of 20,000 visits inside some of our greatest treasures. It was magical.
Can’t wait for it to happen again? We’re looking forward to our next Festival scheduled for the Fall of 2019. For updates, sign up for our mailing list.
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What follows is an archive of the 2017 Doors Open RI Festival.
HOW IT WORKS:
When is the festival?
The Festival will be from 10am-6pm on Saturday, September 23, 2017. Open access times for individual sites vary.
Do I need tickets?
This is a FREE public event — no tickets or reservations needed. Lines may be expected at certain locations. Volunteers and other supporters of the Festival are offered priority access.
Where can I get my Event Guide?
Find our event guide inside the September issue of Providence Monthly or at any participating site on the day of the Festival. You can also download a PDF of the Event Guide here.
What are the participating locations?
You’ll find information about participating locations below as well as listed in our event guide (see above). Venues and details may change, however, so keep checking back here for the most up-to-date information on participating locations.
How can I keep up to date?
Follow Doors Open RI on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for live Festival updates: @doorsopenri and #DoorsOpenRI
You can also RSVP to our Facebook event
Which sites are handicap accessible?
We want to make this Festival fun for everyone. Sites marked with a wheelchair icon are handicap accessible. The handicap entrance may not be immediately visible, but just ask the volunteer up front and they should be able to make accommodations for you.
How do I get around the Festival?
Doors Open Rhode Island is committed to minimizing the impact of our Festival on the environment, and encourage you to travel green. There are many ways to explore festival sites: walk, ride your bike or take the RIPTA bus for free! RIPTA is providing complimentary transportation between participating venues along existing RIPTA bus routes. Show your Doors Open RI/RIPTA button, available for pickup on September 23 at all festival sites, to any RIPTA driver to board the city bus (and then take it home as your souvenir!)

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Parking may also be available at certain locations further away from the city center. Free parking will be available in the lots surrounding the State House and other Capitol Hill buildings.
Is this the only Doors Open Festival?
Our Festival is part of a worldwide movement of citywide Doors Open and Open House events connecting the public to the great places and spaces of their communities.
Can I take pictures?
You are welcome to take pictures inside of all participating locations. Don’t forget to share them with us! #doorsopenri
How Can I Support the Doors Open RI Festival?
Though our festival is free, it isn’t free to organize. We depend on donations from people like you to make our programming possible. Every bit helps. Please support our festival and other programs by making a donation today!
Explore the Sites
EAST SIDE
Click each site for more details!

Annmary Brown Memorial
21 Brown St.
10am-4pm
Benefit St. Arsenal
176 Benefit St.
10am-6pm
Cathedral of Saint John
276 North Main St.
12pm – 6pm
John Brown House Museum
52 Power St.
10am-4pm
Ladd Observatory
Brown University, 210 Doyle Ave.
11am – 3pm
RISD Nature Lab
13 Waterman St.
10am-4pm
RISD Textiles
7 N. Main St. (Metcalf Building)
10am-2pm
Stephen Hopkins House
15 Hopkins St.
10am-9:30pm
DOWNTOWN
Click each site for more details!

Arcade Providence
130 Westminter St.
10am-3pm
Beneficent Congregational Church
300 Weybosset
10am-4pm
Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul
30 Fenner St.
10am-4pm
Nail Communications
63 Eddy St.
10am-6pm
Pavilion at Grace Church
300 Westminster St.
10am-5pm
Providence City Hall
25 Dorrance St.
10am-6pm
Providence Public Library
225 Washington St.
9:30am-2pm
Rhode Island Foundation
1 Union Station
12pm-6pm
Rhode Island Public Radio
1 Union Station
12pm-6pm
Rhode Island State House
82 Smith St.
10am-6pm
WEST SIDE
Click each site for more details!

Atlantic Mills
120 Manton Ave.
10am-4pm
Barnaby Castle
299 Broadway
10am-3pm
Box Office
460 Harris Ave.
10am-4pm
Columbus Theatre
270 Broadway
10am-4pm
Hudson Furs
101 Cranston St.
10am-4pm
Providence Armory on Cranston St
310 Cranston St.
10am-12pm
Annmary Brown Memorial
21 Brown Street
10am-4pm
Arcade Providence
130 Westminster Street
10am-3pm
Atlantic Mills
120 Manton Avenue
10am-4pm
Barnaby Castle
299 Broadway
10am-3pm
Beneficent Congregational Church
300 Weybosset Street
10am-4pm
Benefit Street Arsenal
176 Benefit Street
10am-6pm
Box Office
460 Harris Ave.
10am-4pm
Cathedral of St. John
276 North Main St.
12pm-6pm
Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul
30 Fenner St.
10am-4pm
Columbus Theatre
270 Broadway
10am-4pm
Hudson Furs
101 Cranston St.
10am-4pm
John Brown House Museum
52 Power St.
10am-4pm
Ladd Observatory
210 Doyle Ave.
11am-3pm
Nail Communications
63 Eddy St.
10am-6pm
Pavilion at Grace Church
300 Westminster St.
10am – 5pm
Providence Armory on Cranston St.
310 Cranston St.
10am – 12pm
Providence City Hall
25 Dorrance St.
10am-6pm
Providence Public Library
225 Washington St.
9:30am – 2 pm
Rhode Island Foundation
1 Union Station
12pm – 6 pm
Rhode Island Public Radio
1 Union Station
12pm – 6pm
Rhode Island State House
82 Smith St.
10am – 6pm
RISD Nature Lab
13 Waterman St.
10am - 4pm
RISD Textiles Jacquard Loom
7 North Main St.
10am - 2pm
Stephen Hopkins House
15 Hopkins St.
10am - 9:30pm
Share your Festival experience! #doorsopenri
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