Weird Fiction Festival Opens Today, Plus Live Jazz in the Park
Providence, RI · August 13, 2026
Sip your morning coffee before rain showers arrive — downtown is buzzing today with festival keynotes, rooftop gallery sessions, and free music in the park.
The Lead
The biennial NecronomiCon festival officially opens today, bringing over a thousand authors, scholars, and fans of weird fiction and dark fantasy to venues across the city center through Sunday. Organized by the Lovecraft Arts & Sciences Council, the four-day gathering spans panel discussions at local hotels, film screenings at independent venues, and academic presentations exploring speculative literature.
Outside the conference rooms, the festival weaves directly into downtown street life. The biennial Ars Necronomica art exhibition features works from dozens of international artists, while walking tours guide visitors through the historic streets that inspired local literary icons. Community spaces like AS220 are hosting daytime panel sessions and performance showcases, turning downtown into a walkable hub for literature and art. Programming runs daily through Sunday evening, with single-day passes and panel access available at event desks downtown.
Local Pulse
Invasive Pest Session Set for Lincoln Woods State environmental staff host a public session tonight on managing spotted lanternflies at the park pavilion.
Early Primary Voting Begins Next Week City election staff open early voting on August 20 at City Hall ahead of September primaries.
Today's Outlook
- High 84°F · Low 67°F — Rain (76% chance of precipitation)
- Keep an umbrella handy today as rain showers move across the region.
What's On Around Town
Valley Vibes: Thursdays on Tap WaterFire Arts Center Roof Deck (475 Valley St), 5:00–9:00 PM Rooftop drinks, DJ tunes, and local street photography displays.
Concerts in the Park: Kim Trusty Dexter Training Ground, 5:30–7:30 PM Free outdoor live music blending jazz, blues, and soul.
Lincoln Woods: Spotted Lanternfly Info Session Lincoln Woods State Park Beach Pavilion, 6:00–7:00 PM Short drive, free environmental presentation on local invasive species.
Concerts Under the Elms John Brown House Museum (52 Power St), 6:30 PM Bring a lawn chair and blanket for live summer music.
Spotlight & Story
- Kim Trusty
- The local musician and educator helped co-found Trinity Academy for the Performing Arts in 2010 after relocating to the city decades ago. Blending jazz, R&B, and blues, she has spent over thirty years teaching and performing across Rhode Island.
Providence Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.
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