CRANSTON, R.I. — Armenian Fest 2025 in Rhode Island is taking place on Saturday and Sunday, November 8–9, at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet, located at 60 Rhodes Place in Cranston.
The festival offers a vibrant celebration of Armenian culture, featuring authentic cuisine such as kebabs, kufta, soujoukh, bourma, pakhlava, and more. There will be live music, dance performances, and cultural demonstrations.
Attendees can browse vendor booths offering Armenian crafts, delicacies, and imported goods, making it a family-friendly event with something for everyone.
The festival is free to enter, with ample parking available.
Armenia Fest 2025 in Rhode Island is a highlight of the state’s cultural calendar, welcoming all to experience the rich heritage, food, and entertainment of the Armenian community.
The Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church is 83 years old and has built a rich history of service and resilience in Providence. The Armenian community first worshipped locally at Holy Translators Church, later St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Church, before political disagreements within the national church in 1933 left hundreds of families excluded. This prompted the establishment of a new parish, with early leaders renting space at 935 Westminster Street and later at other locations, demonstrating determination to provide spiritual nourishment despite challenges.
After a hurricane destroyed one of their rented churches in 1938, a search committee secured St. James Episcopal Church on Broadway, which the parish purchased in 1939. Under the guidance of leaders and generous parishioners, the building was consecrated as Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church on June 23, 1940. In just three years, the congregation fully paid off the mortgage, renovated the interior, and established a lasting spiritual and cultural center for the Armenian community in Providence.
Armenians have a long and vibrant history in Rhode Island, forming a close-knit community that has contributed significantly to the state’s cultural, social, and economic life. Many Armenian families settled in Rhode Island during the early 20th century, seeking refuge from the Armenian Genocide and other hardships.
Over the decades, the community has grown, establishing churches, cultural organizations, and social clubs that preserve Armenian traditions, language, and heritage. Today, Armenians in Rhode Island celebrate their culture through annual events such as Armenian Fest RI, which highlights traditional cuisine, music, and dance, and through active participation in civic and educational initiatives.
The community also supports Armenian causes both locally and abroad, maintaining strong connections with Armenia and the global Armenian diaspora. Through their cultural, entrepreneurial, and social contributions, Armenians continue to enrich Rhode Island’s diverse cultural landscape.
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