Mark Your Calendar for the 2025 dNB Holiday Stroll – Saturday, December 13th! Come experience a festive day in the heart of the city, where you'll find sidewalks lined with local shops, restaurants offering holiday specials, and fun for the whole family.
dNB FallFest 2025
Celebrate Spooky Season at dNB Inc's Annual FallFest!
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Downtown New Bedford, Inc, a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is thrilled to announce the return of dNB FallFest on Saturday, October 18th, from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
What began years ago as an afternoon of downtown trick-or-treating has grown into one of New Bedford’s most anticipated events — a day that celebrates community spirit, local creativity, and the small businesses that make downtown unique. This year’s FallFest invites families, friends, and visitors to experience the magic of autumn in the heart of historic downtown — with 30+ candy stops, local pop-ups, live music, art events, and seasonal specials throughout the district.
“FallFest has really become one of those special downtown traditions,” says Elissa Paquette, owner of Calico on Union Street and President of Downtown New Bedford, Inc. “It’s a chance for our businesses to connect with the community in a fun, festive way — and for local families to discover everything their downtown has to offer.”
This year’s event will feature trick-or-treating at more than 30 participating businesses, plus special activities, local art pop-ups, and themed drink specials across the downtown New Bedford. The ever-popular Trunk or Treat will return to Purchase Street from 12–3PM, featuring a lineup of cars decked out for the season. “There’s nothing
like seeing downtown filled with families, laughter, and a lineup of spooky cars,” says Katrina Carmo, local realtor and car enthusiast helping to coordinate this year’s Trunk or Treat. “It’s such a joyful reminder of how our community comes together — simple moments like these are what make downtown feel alive.”
But the treats aren’t just for the kids — Purchase Street will come alive with outdoor “libation stations,” serving up fall-themed beers and cocktails from local favorites No Problemo, The Pour Farm Tavern, and The Vault. The stations are organized by Craig Paiva, owner of No Problemo, a downtown staple for more than 23 years. A lifelong Halloween enthusiast, Paiva has helped coordinate the outdoor drink stations in recent years. “I love seeing downtown come alive during FallFest,” he says. “It’s such a fun day for the city, and I just wanted to be part of helping it grow.”
After you’ve had your seasonal sip, stick around for Pour Farms’s FallFest Afterhours, happening 5–8 PM in the beer garden, where Brian and The Cassettes will keep the energy going with live music and good vibes well into the evening.
FallFest isn’t just about costumes and candy — it’s also about supporting the people who make downtown New Bedford happen. Shops, galleries, and cafés across the district will host their own fall features, art events, and pop-ups, inviting visitors to explore downtown while enjoying the festive atmosphere.“Downtown New Bedford is full of small businesses who put their heart into what they do,” says Paquette. “FallFest is a reminder of how special that is — and how powerful it can be when the community comes together to support local!”
FallFest Event Highlights for 2025 Include:
🚗 Trunk or Treat: In Purchase Street 12-3PM
🍫 Trick or Treat at 30+ Candy Stops Throughout dNB 12-3PM
🕺 Dance Party with DJ Anj & the 3rd Eye Dance Crew – Wings Court 2-5PM
🐟 Calico: Spooky Fish Market with Golden Hour Goods Popup + Tarot Reader
🖌 Shimmer: $5 Mini Face Paintings for Kids 1-3PM
☕️ Tia Maria’s & Cork Wine & Tapas: Fall-themed lattes, ciders, and spritzes
🐙 NB Fishing Heritage Center: Recycled Sea Monster Craft & Scavenger Hunt
🎨 Gallery X: Fall Art Sale & MaiatoFitz Art Popup 12-3PM
🎶 The Pour Farm Tavern: Live music in the Beer Garden with Brian & The Cassettes 5–8PM
🍹 Play Arcade: “It’s the Great Watermelon, Charlie Brown” Drink Special
🍷 Cork Wine & Tapas: Watercoloring for kids & Wine Tasting 3–5PM & Fall Drink Specials: Hot Apple Cider, Fall Spritz, and Spiced Apple Spritz Mocktail
🏛 Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum: Free Admission for Guests in Costume
AND MORE…
dNB FallFest 2025 is free and open to the public.
Parking is FREE in both the Elm Street and Zeiterion lots.
Check out dNB’s FallFest Facebook Event and follow @dnbinc on Instagram!
Downtown New Bedford, Inc. is a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization committed to promoting the cultural, economic, and community development of the city’s historic downtown district. Through collaborative events, local partnerships, and creative placekeeping initiatives, dNB Inc. works to make downtown New Bedford a vibrant place to live, work, and visit.
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