Family events in Cranston, RI

At Lippitt Park, the Providence Artisans Market marks its annual puppy parade celebrating the dog days of summer. Now in its 14th season, the series spans 27 consecutive Saturdays and brings together more than 300 local artists alongside the Hope Street Farmers Market. Visitors can explore fine art, find fresh fruits and vegetables, enjoy live music, and choose from food trucks. Families are welcome, there will be plenty of puppies, and artists may apply to participate.

Healthy Babies, Happy Moms offers a Breastfeeding Class that helps expectant parents prepare for feeding their new baby with clear guidance and supportive instruction. Ideal for the third trimester, it welcomes partners so the full support team can learn together. An experienced lactation team in East Greenwich leads the session, creating a comfortable space to ask questions and practice techniques for the early days and weeks after birth. Topics include the benefits of breastfeeding, prenatal breast assessment, the basics of anatomy and physiology, positioning and breast support, recognizing suckling patterns and achieving a comfortable latch, and common concerns that may affect both babies and mothers. The goal is to build confidence and a strong foundation for a positive start to breastfeeding. Registration is required, class size is intentionally limited for personalized attention, and the fee is $75 per couple.

Celebrate the offbeat at the Rhode Island Convention Center with a marketplace devoted to curiosities and the delightfully strange. Handpicked vendors, artists, dealers, and small businesses showcase taxidermy, preserved specimens, original art, horror and Halloween inspired creations, antiques, handcrafted oddities, dubious medical contraptions, eerie apparel, unusual jewelry, skulls and bones, funeral collectibles, and more. All pieces are legal to own and sourced responsibly. Alongside the vendor floor, there are sideshow acts on stage throughout the day and opportunities to learn the craft of taxidermy through classes offered during the expo. Admission is $15 in advance or $20 at the door, and children 12 and under are admitted free without a ticket. The event fosters a welcoming space to discover new artists, make connections, and be part of a community of like-minded enthusiasts. Presented as a fully DIY, independently run show, it also positions itself as the original traveling showcase devoted exclusively to oddities vendors and dark artists in the country.

Bring well-behaved dogs for a relaxed lunch on a scenic property. Savor delicious food while pups sniff around and unwind in a welcoming, pet-friendly setting, with dog-friendly menu specials available. Enjoy a lighthearted outing with opportunities for pups to make new friends and for people to connect over a meal.

Enjoy a family-friendly evening at the Zoo and shrink your perspective for an adventure in A Bug’s World. Your ticket provides evening access to the entire Zoo plus this special experience, where you can encounter more than 60 oversized animatronic caterpillars, beetles, spiders, and more.

This family-friendly gathering at Crowne Plaza features more than 250 cars, live music, food trucks, Del’s Lemonade, local artists, Touch-a-Truck experiences, and activities for kids. It brings the community together to support local children battling life-threatening illnesses, with all funds raised benefiting A Wish Come True and the families it serves. Admission is free, and advance registration is encouraged.

Enjoy a nostalgic afternoon at Crescent Park during Cruise Nights, where classic sights and sounds create a throwback atmosphere by the water. This season the gatherings take place on the waterside of the park, and the schedule varies as the season goes on. Admission is free, and donations help support the Historic Charles I.D. Looff Carousel.

The Parks and Recreation Division, with support from Coastal Credit Union, My Greene Team, Pamela Hughes, Bandits Baseball Club, Dupuis Oil, and The Washington Trust Company, presents The Good Living Band at the Veteran's Memorial Amphitheater. This free one and a half hour show highlights the group’s three part harmonies, lively acoustic guitar rhythms, and rich bass, spanning familiar favorites from Friday I’m In Love to Ventura Highway for an upbeat atmosphere. Parking is available in the City Hall lot. Canned goods and other non perishable food items will be collected to support the Blackstone Valley Food Center and their efforts to combat hunger in the Blackstone Valley area. Performances may be canceled if inclement weather is expected, with a possible reschedule. Updates on changes or cancellations are shared on the Pawtucket Parks & Recreation and Pawtucket's Veteran's Memorial Amphitheater Facebook pages.

The CYSA Golf Tournament Fundraiser brings the CYSA community, local businesses, families, and supporters together at Cranston Country Club for a fun day on the course while raising funds for youth soccer in Cumberland. Proceeds support quality programs, player development opportunities, field improvements, equipment, scholarships, and a positive soccer experience for players of all ages and abilities. Registration is available for individual golfers and teams, and event sponsorships offer a way to support CYSA while promoting a business to local families, community members, and tournament participants.

This expressive arts academy offers students a creative space to explore self-care through art-making. Sessions run across the week, with the program meeting daily from Tuesday through Friday. It’s a co-ed camp focused on connecting mind, body, and spirit through hands-on, transformative artistic activities.

Put your reptile knowledge to the test at a family-friendly trivia night celebrating snakes, lizards, tortoises, geckos, and more. Expect lighthearted competition, fun facts, and engaging challenges, with a chance to win a gift certificate. All experience levels are welcome. Participants can team up with friends or play solo, meet other reptile enthusiasts, and aim for the title of Reptile Trivia Champion.

Illusionist David Garrity delivers a free, one-hour show of magic and illusion, hosted by the Parks and Recreation Division with support from Coastal Credit Union, My Greene Team, Pamela Hughes, Bandits Baseball Club, Dupuis Oil, and The Washington Trust Company. The performance takes place on the stage located between the Park Office and the Daggett House, across from the tennis courts, and the Slater Park Looff Carousel next to this area will remain open during the event. Garrity has captivated tens of thousands of people worldwide through his illusions. If weather becomes a concern, the performance may be moved to the Slater Park Pavilion. For updates on any changes or cancellations, check the Pawtucket Parks and Recreation Facebook page.

The Children's Friend WIC mobile team will be on site at Blackstone Valley Community Health Care to offer mobile WIC services. For more information, contact Lucia Santiago at 401-808-5405 or Jenni Uribe at 401-312-9851.

A welcoming beginner skating class for families and skaters of all ages. Learn alongside your kids with patient instruction and guided practice to build confidence. After class, you can keep skating for the rest of the session at no extra charge. Skate rentals and protective gear are included in the class price. Registration is available online or in person. A parent or guardian must be present for minors and will need to sign a participation waiver.

The Empowerment Factory hosts a free family art experience at Fairlawn Veterans Memorial Park in Pawtucket. Designed for families with children in grades K–5, each session features a read-aloud, a hands-on art project, and simple mindfulness activities that encourage emotional regulation, creativity, and teamwork. Young artists explore art, reading, and group conversation around themes such as kindness, confidence, respect, and perseverance. Walk-ins are welcome, and registration is appreciated. Please register for each date individually and plan to sign in and get settled upon arrival.

Part of the Neighborhood Performance Series, John Higby, the YoYo Guy, brings a fast-paced, comedy-driven yo-yo show to John St. Playground. He has performed across 26 countries, including New Zealand and Japan, is a World Yo-Yo Champion, and holds four Guinness World Records. This free performance lasts about an hour. Presented by the Parks and Recreation Division with support from Coastal Credit Union, My Greene Team, Pamela Hughes, Bandits Baseball Club, Dupuis Oil, and The Washington Trust Company. Plans may change if inclement weather is expected, with the possibility of a rescheduled date. For the latest updates and any summer schedule changes, see the Pawtucket Parks & Recreation Facebook pages.

The Daggett Farm Thursday Night Concert Series welcomes the Jesse Liam Band, presented by the Parks and Recreation Division with support from Coastal Credit Union, My Greene Team, Pamela Hughes, Bandits Baseball Club, Dupuis Oil, and The Washington Trust Company. A longtime favorite at Slater Park, the band returns with lively pop covers delivered in its own style and full of energy. This free 90 minute show takes place on the stage in front of Daggett Farm and Len’s Hot Dog And Seafood Haven in Slater Memorial Park. During the performances, the Parks and Recreation Division will collect canned goods and other nonperishable items to benefit the Blackstone Valley Food Center, which works to address hunger in the region. If weather threatens, performances may be relocated to the Slater Park Pavilion. For the latest updates on changes or cancellations, check the Pawtucket Parks & Recreation or Daggett Farm Facebook pages.

Ocean State Ramblers bring their homespun bluegrass sound to the Cranston Summer Concert Series at the William Hall Library in Cranston, RI. The band performs a blend of bluegrass standards, folk and country favorites, and original tunes.

Clueless screens outdoors as part of Movies on the Block, InDowncity’s free film series at Grant’s Block Park in Downtown Providence. This city tradition began in 2008, returned in 2025 after a six year pause, and continues with a season that ranges from Tempe to Hobbiton. Pack a chair or blanket, as seating is not set up, and space is first come, first served. Presented with support from InDowncity, the downtown small business community, and Cornish Associates, this screening marks the third installment of the summer lineup.