The stock market is locked in a death spiral. Your 401(k) should be renamed 911(k). But, hey, it’s Indian summer in southern New England and this weekend, the region is chock-full of Columbus Day celebrations.

Today, Benefit Street in Providence becomes one giant art sale as the Rhode Island School of Design hosts its 20th annual alumni and student sale. The free event offers everything from jewelry and home furnishings to homemade pottery and glass. The sale takes place rain or shine from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

The Scituate Art Festival, which attracts more than 300 artists and crafts people from around the country, runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today through Monday on the Village Green off Route 116 in North Scituate.

If parades are your thing, you can take your pick. Westerly hosts the oldest and biggest Columbus Day parade in the state, drawing more than 20,000 people. It begins tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Westerly High School on Granite Street and finishes up at Westerly Town Hall. About 2,500 people participate in the parade, which is divided into 10 divisions.

In Providence, the festivities last three days, from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Federal Hill. Atwells Avenue is the heart of the festival, which features live entertainment and al fresco seating at local restaurants. Four Federal Hill art galleries will also be open, with artists creating their work on the streets. The parade begins tomorrow at noon, with Mayor David N. Cicilline as grand marshal.

Newport has the 14th annual Festa Italiana, a celebration of all things Italian. Today, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., food and live music will be available at Touro Park off Bellevue Avenue. Monday is the parade, beginning at noon at St. Joseph Church and ending at the Columbus statue on Memorial Boulevard, where there will be a ceremony at 12:45 p.m.

The Newport Yachting Center is home to the International Oktoberfest, three days of German music, dancing and beer. It runs today from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m; tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Monday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults and free for those younger than 12.

Not to be outdone, Woonsocket is hosting a three-day Autumnfest, complete with a midway with rides, a food court, live music and a kids’ festival with ponies and clowns. The event is free and takes place at World War II Memorial Park on Social Street, today and tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Monday from 10 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.

lborg@projo.com