Downtown New Bedford Inc is excited to announce the return of dNB Holiday Stroll! Events are scheduled from 12pm-5pm on Saturday, December 2nd. With the support of NB Creative and the New Bedford Local Cultural Council, Downtown New Bedford Inc is ready to kick off the holiday season with this much-loved annual event!

Strollers will be met with the sounds of the Seaglass Theater Company Carolers and the Southcoast Brass Band while walking the historic cobblestone streets of downtown New Bedford. Be sure to keep an eye out for the Winter Fairy–and of course, Santa & Mrs. Claus! Take in the sights of downtown with antique fire truck rides provided by the New Bedford Fire Museum and be sure to support local at the numerous shops, restaurants and galleries.

“Holiday Stroll is a great opportunity to support downtown’s small businesses, as well as local artists and artisans,” says Elissa Paquette, owner of Calico on Union Street and President of local non-profit, Downtown New Bedford Inc. “Many of our existing local businesses will be hosting pop-ups featuring local artisans and makers.” Some of these include Co Creative Center’s Co-POP, a collaborative event organized by Co Creative member, The Artisan NB, Calico’s Makers’ Market in Bristol Hall, featuring local designers, artists, and crafters, along with a live DJ, and April Evans Beauty Lounge, who’s hosting two local artists, as well.

And speaking of pop-ups, Buy Black NB returns to The New Bedford Whaling Museum for this year’s Buy Black Holiday Market. Justina Perry is the founder and director of local non-profit, Buy Black NB, a free community platform dedicated to discovering, highlighting and promoting Black-owned businesses in the South Coast of Massachusetts. Perry is excited to welcome the community. “We have 15 local vendors this year,” says Perry. “And fantastic live music from Joaquin Santos & Friends to get families to get in the holiday spirit!”

“The Stroll is the most impactful event of the year to our local small businesses. Downtown is lucky to have a loyal following that comes out year after year to show support and it really sets the tone for the rest of the season” says Katherine Lowe, owner of Shimmer Clean & Ethical Beauty on Union Street. “I’m also really proud of the efforts so many of our small businesses are making to give back.” Lowe says Shimmer will be accepting pet supply donations for Lighthouse Animal Shelter, while dNB Inc has partnered with the Starchasers to collect winter clothing items to support the Southcoast LGBTQ+ Network at three drop spots throughout dNB–just look for the blue bins at the Whaling Museum, Calico/Bristol Hall, and CoCreative Center!

Help spread the word on social media and tag @dnbinc in your #strolldNB posts on Instagram & Facebook! RSVP and share our Facebook event here: https://fb.me/e/3q5XOPur3

Downtown New Bedford Inc is a locally-funded, volunteer-run, non-profit organization here to hype our historic downtown in New Bedford, Massachusetts! We provide marketing, place-making and advocacy for the small businesses and stakeholders of the downtown community. Our mission is to bring more people downtown every day to shop, eat, and explore everything dNB has to offer!