Who would have thought fire could be cool? But when the sun goes down and the torches are touched to 100 river-borne bonfires of WaterFire in downtown Providence, it’s hard not to ooh and aah. The scent of wood smoke fills the air, music echoes along the paths of Waterplace Park, and the assembled throngs inevitably grow mellow. Don’t blame us if you work up a sweat because you can’t keep from dancing.

July 17 and July 31, Aug. 14 and Aug. 28, Oct. 9 and Oct. 20 (basin only). Downtown Providence. www.waterfire.org. Donation.