- July is Cape Verdean Heritage Month! Don’t miss the annual Cape Verdean Recognition Week Parade on July 6th celebrating Cape Verdean Independence Day (July 5, 1975) and the culture and history of Cape Verdeans in the United States. This parade is full of energy and community spirit, bedecked with bright and colorful cultural clothing, art, and music and dance. Throughout the month find a variety of cultural events including concerts, live poetry events, special dinners, and more.
- The Roots and Branches Festival returns for its second year on July 19 & 20, with over 9 stages of local musicians, over 65 performances and a special collaboration of sound and visual art for the culminating performance. The festival is hosted inside at local shops and restaurants downtown with outdoor stages located inside Wing’s Court and on Purchase Street between Spring Street and Union Street. The event is free to the public and there’s no shortage of local restaurants within walking distance to satisfy your appetite and quench your thirst.
- Learn about beekeeping from the Bristol County Beekeepers Association at The Bee’s Meade on July 11 from 5-7PM at the Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum. Play lawn games, get creative with make and take crafts, and enjoy refreshments and the beautiful gardens on the property.
- Mark your calendars for July’s Reggae on West Beach, a free summer series with live music, DJs, food trucks, artisan vendors, and an epic dance party right on the beach. Head to West Beach on W. Rodney French Boulevard July 28 from 6-10PM.
- The Seaport Art Walk kicks off on July 11 with their annual guided tour with the artists. The Seaport Art Walk is a large format outdoor public art exhibition along the waterfront featuring a variety of local artists and mediums and is facilitated by New Bedford Creative and founder Jessica Bregoli.
- 50s Night– in memory of founder Joe Jesus- ‘rolls into’ downtown on Thursday, July 18. Come see the streets lined with hundreds of classic cars, dance along to live music, shop from a variety of vendors, and enjoy food and cold treats from trucks and carts.
- The Whaling City Festival returns running from July 11 through July 14. A fun for the whole family carnival chock full of classic carnival rides, games and food. Find also special entertainment like a live pro wrestling match, a Sunday car show, arts and craft vendors, retail vendors, and more!
- AHA! Night brings back the family favorite Kid’s Rule! AHA! Nights take place the second Thursday of the month in downtown with a variety of free indoor and outdoor programming celebrating art, history and architecture and this one’s for the kids (in age and at heart).
- Diversify your palate and explore New Bedford’s vast cultural heritage on New Bedford Food Tours’ North End Tour. Sample from Guatemalan, Honduran, Mexican, Cape Verdean, and Portuguese cuisines. Book your tour today!
- Have a picnic in one of the city’s parks! With over 30 parks, playgrounds, beaches, and recreational facilities there is no shortage of places to enjoy the outdoors. Sprawl out in the shade at Buttonwood Park, Custom House Square or Hazelwood Park overlooking Clark’s Cove. Join the New Moon Dance Party for Riverside Beats on July 14th at Riverside Park from 4-8 PM. This soulful dance party comes with a cool breeze from the Acushnet River, children playing with bubbles and hula hoops, and families picnicking into the sunset. For some additional hidden gem picnic locations tuck into the beautiful gardens at the Rotch-Jones-Duff House or head to the Trustees Allen C. Haskell Public Gardens.
10+ Things to Do and See this October
October is the perfect month to get outside and enjoy the crisp air then cozy up with music in intimate...
