The Weekly: 6/20/25 Guide to Downtown Providence
In Providence, there’s always something interesting going on! And we understand how challenging it can be to wade through all the happenings and decide what events to attend, where to eat, and what to shop for. That’s why we’re here to share the top things we’re excited about in the coming week in each installment of “The Weekly.” Each week, we’ll rant and rave unabashedly about just a slice of the food, fun, and fantastic items that we’re currently obsessed with in downtown Providence, RI.
Subscribe to our newsletter for a weekly update right in your email, or check back here every Thursday.
GIFT HORSE CHEF SKY HANEUL KIM WINS PRESTIGIOUS JAMES BEARD AWARD
Perhaps we’re biased, but we truly believe that Rhode Island has some of the best food in the nation… So we were excited—but not too surprised—when we found out that Chef Sky Haneul Kim, from the restaurant Gift Horse in downtown Providence, was crowned “Best Chef: Northeast” by the James Beard Foundation on June 14, 2025.
Many congratulations to Sky and the incredible team at Gift Horse! Gift Horse first opened on Westminster Street in 2023 with Sky at the helm as chef. (ICYMI, the restaurant is a sister restaurant to Oberlin; it’s also owned by Ben Sukle with Bethany Caliaro as a business partner.)
Since opening, the restaurant has garnered praise from locals and visitors alike, not only because of the excellent raw bar selection but also because of the many delicious dishes inspired by Sky’s Korean heritage. We’ve enjoyed kimchi mignonette atop fresh oysters from Charlestown, crispy summer squash tempura, fried rice cakes with kimchi cream, and more. Read more about Sky in this RI Monthly article.
(Photo credit to Gift Horse.)
RHODE ISLAND PRIDE COMES TO DOWNTOWN PROVIDENCE THIS WEEKEND
Happy Pride month, PVD! This weekend on Saturday, June 21, Rhode Island Pridefest comes to Providence with an all day festival and illuminated parade. This is always a fun, vibrant celebration that folks from all over the nation join for.
The festival kicks off at 11:30 am at District Park with vendors, a beer, wine, and spirits tent, and more. At 8 pm, watch as the iluminated parade threads its way through downtown Providence. View it from Dorrance Street, Washington Street, and Weybosset Street!
Wondering what else is happening in the downtown neighborhood for Pride? Snag one of the few remaining seats—available at 12 pm and 12:30 pm—at Oberlin’s Drag Brunch! Over at Craftland, enjoy a special Small Format pop-up cafe and mocktail bar from 1-6 pm. And the GUM hair salon has a special deal going on: “Book any rainbow inspired look in the month of June and receive 20% off your look until June 30th.”
(Photo credit to Providence Tourism.)
MOVIES ON THE BLOCK RETURNS TO PROVIDENCE THIS THURSDAY
Well, somehow the month of June is more than halfway through, and you know what that means: for the first time since the summer of 2019, "Movies on the Block" is back, folks! We here at InDowncity are beyond excited to bring back our popular outdoor film screening series on the night of Thursday, June 26.
HERE'S WHAT TO KNOW:
Movies on the Block will take place at Grant’s Block in downtown Providence, RI
The first film screening will be "Waiting for Guffman,” kicking off at dusk
Movies on the Block is a free film series sponsored by InDowncity, the downtown small business community, and Cornish Associates
Moviegoers are encouraged to bring a blanket or beach chair as seating will not be provided; seating is limited and first come, first served
As a special part of the program, we're working with some of your favorite downtown restaurants to offer curated, limited-time-only to-go food concessions (stay tuned)
For full details, check out our Movies on the Block page.
Love this edition of The Weekly? Want to stay in the loop for future events (like the return of Movies on the Block for Summer 2025), gift guides, new business openings, and more in downtown Providence, RI? We’ve got you! Subscribe to our newsletter and/or follow @indowncitypvd on Instagram.