What’s Happening

AHA! Night
A FREE arts & culture festival that takes place the 2nd Thursday of every month in Downtown New Bedford.

New Bedford Half Marathon
March 17th
A 13.1 mile race through the streets of New Bedford that starts and ends in Downtown.

Viva Portugal
May 4th
A Downtown New Bedford Festa presented by the Zeiterion

Taste of SouthCoast
May 19th
Sample SouthCoast Eats on Pier 3

Seaport Art Walk
June – October
Original sculpture created by local artists throughout the working waterfront.

New Bedford Jazz Fest
June 15th
Live Music of the Jazz Variety (food and drinks too!) on Pier 3

Cape Verdean Recognition Parade
July 6th
Music, floats & lots of CV love takes over Union Street and ends with a big party!

Summer Sound Series
July & August
Early Evening Concerts on the Pier

New Bedford Folk Fest
July 6th & 7th
Two full days of the best in contemporary, Americana, traditional, blues and Celtic folk music.

3rd EyE Open
August 17th
A full day of live music, dance, graffiti, b-ball tourney, kids carnival, food & fun!

Upper William Street Festival
September 28th
The neighborhood comes alive with music, history, and the arts.

Big Boats, Little Boats
September 28th
A free celebration of commercial fishing culture.

Chowderfest
October 13th
Sample chowder, stuffed quahog and soup from 30 local restaurants on Pier 3.

Deck the Windows
Throughout the month of December
Stroll the streets of downtown New Bedford and enjoy over 50 windows decorated for the holidays.

City Celebrates New Year’s Eve
December 31st
Ring in 2018 with fireworks, street performers, live music, ice sculptures, an outdoor dance party, the NYE Smile Cam, and a lot more.