AHA! Night: Kids Rule (Adults Too!)

Downtown New Bedford Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA, United States

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 […]

Free

50s Night

Downtown New Bedford Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA, United States

In memory of its founder, Joe Jesus, 50s Night continues to bring together the community for an epic event spread throughout downtown New Bedford. Featuring an extensive lineup of vintage and rare antique cars, live music on multiple stages, food vendors and dancing in the streets, this event is not to be missed.

2025 Summer Sound Series Concerts

Downtown New Bedford Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA, United States

Presented by Mayor Jon Mitchell, the popular free concert series kicks off on Friday, June 20th, with Pearly Baker Band, a legendary Grateful Dead tribute band. This performance is part of Explore New Bedford’s JawsJam: A Bigger Boat Block Party, celebrating the 50th anniversary of everyone’s favorite shark movie, complete with a costume contest, pop-up market, themed drinks, Instagram-worthy moments, and, of course, live music. In addition to the kick-off concert, two more Summer Sound Series concerts will take place in collaboration with other popular downtown events: A high-energy fixture in the New Bedford music scene, The Jethros will play the Lower Union Street Stage on July 4th, blending folk, blues, funk, swing, bluegrass, and more into an unforgettable performance in collaboration with the New Bedford Whaling Museum’s First Fridays. During this Independence Day First Friday celebration, there will be family-friendly activities outside, with select Whaling Museum galleries open after-hours and free to the public. NB Rude Boys bring their spirited blend of ska, reggae, rock steady, and punk to the Purchase Street Stage on July 18th in collaboration with the NB Roots and Branches Festival. Now in its third year, the two-day event is an entirely free festival celebrating […]

Free

2025 Summer Sound Series Concerts

Downtown New Bedford Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA, United States

Presented by Mayor Jon Mitchell, the popular free concert series kicks off on Friday, June 20th, with Pearly Baker Band, a legendary Grateful Dead tribute band. This performance is part of Explore New Bedford’s JawsJam: A Bigger Boat Block Party, celebrating the 50th anniversary of everyone’s favorite shark movie, complete with a costume contest, pop-up market, themed drinks, Instagram-worthy moments, and, of course, live music. In addition to the kick-off concert, two more Summer Sound Series concerts will take place in collaboration with other popular downtown events: A high-energy fixture in the New Bedford music scene, The Jethros will play the Lower Union Street Stage on July 4th, blending folk, blues, funk, swing, bluegrass, and more into an unforgettable performance in collaboration with the New Bedford Whaling Museum’s First Fridays. During this Independence Day First Friday celebration, there will be family-friendly activities outside, with select Whaling Museum galleries open after-hours and free to the public. NB Rude Boys bring their spirited blend of ska, reggae, rock steady, and punk to the Purchase Street Stage on July 18th in collaboration with the NB Roots and Branches Festival. Now in its third year, the two-day event is an entirely free festival celebrating […]

Free

2025 Summer Sound Series Concerts

Downtown New Bedford Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA, United States

Presented by Mayor Jon Mitchell, the popular free concert series kicks off on Friday, June 20th, with Pearly Baker Band, a legendary Grateful Dead tribute band. This performance is part of Explore New Bedford’s JawsJam: A Bigger Boat Block Party, celebrating the 50th anniversary of everyone’s favorite shark movie, complete with a costume contest, pop-up market, themed drinks, Instagram-worthy moments, and, of course, live music. In addition to the kick-off concert, two more Summer Sound Series concerts will take place in collaboration with other popular downtown events: A high-energy fixture in the New Bedford music scene, The Jethros will play the Lower Union Street Stage on July 4th, blending folk, blues, funk, swing, bluegrass, and more into an unforgettable performance in collaboration with the New Bedford Whaling Museum’s First Fridays. During this Independence Day First Friday celebration, there will be family-friendly activities outside, with select Whaling Museum galleries open after-hours and free to the public. NB Rude Boys bring their spirited blend of ska, reggae, rock steady, and punk to the Purchase Street Stage on July 18th in collaboration with the NB Roots and Branches Festival. Now in its third year, the two-day event is an entirely free festival celebrating […]

Free

2025 Summer Sound Series Concerts

Downtown New Bedford Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA, United States

Presented by Mayor Jon Mitchell, the popular free concert series kicks off on Friday, June 20th, with Pearly Baker Band, a legendary Grateful Dead tribute band. This performance is part of Explore New Bedford’s JawsJam: A Bigger Boat Block Party, celebrating the 50th anniversary of everyone’s favorite shark movie, complete with a costume contest, pop-up market, themed drinks, Instagram-worthy moments, and, of course, live music. In addition to the kick-off concert, two more Summer Sound Series concerts will take place in collaboration with other popular downtown events: A high-energy fixture in the New Bedford music scene, The Jethros will play the Lower Union Street Stage on July 4th, blending folk, blues, funk, swing, bluegrass, and more into an unforgettable performance in collaboration with the New Bedford Whaling Museum’s First Fridays. During this Independence Day First Friday celebration, there will be family-friendly activities outside, with select Whaling Museum galleries open after-hours and free to the public. NB Rude Boys bring their spirited blend of ska, reggae, rock steady, and punk to the Purchase Street Stage on July 18th in collaboration with the NB Roots and Branches Festival. Now in its third year, the two-day event is an entirely free festival celebrating […]

Free

2025 Summer Sound Series Concerts

Downtown New Bedford Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA, United States

Presented by Mayor Jon Mitchell, the popular free concert series kicks off on Friday, June 20th, with Pearly Baker Band, a legendary Grateful Dead tribute band. This performance is part of Explore New Bedford’s JawsJam: A Bigger Boat Block Party, celebrating the 50th anniversary of everyone’s favorite shark movie, complete with a costume contest, pop-up market, themed drinks, Instagram-worthy moments, and, of course, live music. In addition to the kick-off concert, two more Summer Sound Series concerts will take place in collaboration with other popular downtown events: A high-energy fixture in the New Bedford music scene, The Jethros will play the Lower Union Street Stage on July 4th, blending folk, blues, funk, swing, bluegrass, and more into an unforgettable performance in collaboration with the New Bedford Whaling Museum’s First Fridays. During this Independence Day First Friday celebration, there will be family-friendly activities outside, with select Whaling Museum galleries open after-hours and free to the public. NB Rude Boys bring their spirited blend of ska, reggae, rock steady, and punk to the Purchase Street Stage on July 18th in collaboration with the NB Roots and Branches Festival. Now in its third year, the two-day event is an entirely free festival celebrating […]

Free