Kids and kids-at-heart take center stage this July for AHA! Night: Kids Rule! (adults too!) taking place across downtown New Bedford on Thursday, July 10th. This AHA! Night is possible thanks in part to the support from United Way of Greater New Bedford.

During July’s AHA! Night, join the beloved Toe Jam Puppet Band to celebrate their 25 years of bringing joy, laughter, and unforgettable music to audiences of all ages. This special birthday celebration will feature over a dozen former band members who’ve played a part in the band’s incredible journey. Performances take place at 5:30 PM and 6:15 PM outside the New Bedford Whaling Museum in Captain Paul Cuffe Park (in case of rain, moved to the museum’s Harborview room).

While exploring downtown activities, you can puzzle and dance during Puzzical Chairs & Pops. In this mashup of puzzling and musical chairs, participants will be matched with an initial puzzle partner to assemble a 24-piece jigsaw puzzle for the duration of a song. When the song changes, partners and puzzles change, too! Sorbae Frozen Treats will be free for the first 100 puzzlers, with live music provided by Skyjelly, local Middle-Eastern blues innovators (outside The Drawing Room, 22 William Street, 5-7:00 PM).

Nearby, you’ll find “lawn” games on the cobblestones of William Street, creative activities with the Art Museum’s Art Mobile, and an interactive pop-up from artist-in-residence Alex Buchanan in the garden outside the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park Visitor Center.

July’s Seaport Sessions puts the spotlight on the music students from Dream Out Loud Center who will perform original music expressing their thoughts and experiences developed through the DOLC program (Wing’s Court, 5:00 PM). The Whaling History Alliance Rock the Park showcases Beatles cover band, Studio 2, who will perform favorites from their club and touring years at Custom House Square from 6-8:00 PM. This month’s Centre Street Jazz features the Lori Gomes Ensemble, who will perform two sets by the Jazz Wall at the Fiber Optic Center (23 Centre Street, 5:30 PM & 7:00 PM). Gallery X also hosts bands The Heavy Editors and Coastal Decay (169 William Street, 6:30 PM). While the event is free, they will be accepting donations for the Joseph Rapoza Memorial Music Fund. Don’t forget Buttonwood Brass Band’s residency at the Harbor Hotel (222 Union Street, 6-8:00 PM) and the Neal McCarthy Trio at Pour Farm Tavern (780 Purchase Street, 8-11:30 PM).

There will also be arts and crafts tables, touch-a-truck adventures, a guided tour of the Seaport Art Walk, bubbles, food trucks, a lemonade pop-up, and so much more. Find the most up-to-date schedule on the AHA! website.