Feast of the Blessed Sacrament
Type: Cultural/Food
Location: Madeiras Field, New Bedford
Month: August
Description: The largest Portuguese feast in the world, this event features authentic cuisine, live music, and family-friendly activities over four days, celebrating New Bedford’s Portuguese heritage.
Website
New Bedford Folk Festival
Type: Music
Location: Downtown New Bedford
Month: July
Description: A beloved folk music event showcasing local and national artists across multiple stages. It ran for 25 years until its final event in 2022, leaving a legacy of cultural vibrancy.
Whaling City Festival
Type: Community/Fundraiser
Location: Buttonwood Park, New Bedford
Month: July
Description: A 50-year tradition raising funds for veterans, the homeless, and scholarships with carnival rides, food vendors, and entertainment, reflecting community spirit.
Website
Working Waterfront Festival
Type: Cultural/Maritime
Location: New Bedford Waterfront
Month: September
Description: Celebrating the city’s fishing industry, this festival offers seafood tastings, boat tours, live demos, and educational exhibits, honoring America’s #1 fishing port.
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New Bedford JazzFest
Type: Music
Location: Pier 3, New Bedford Waterfront
Month: June
Description: A vibrant jazz celebration with local and regional artists, set against the scenic harbor, attracting music lovers for a day of soulful performances.
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AHA! Nights
Type: Arts/Cultural
Location: Downtown New Bedford
Month: Monthly
Description: Free monthly events highlighting art, history, and architecture with open galleries, performances, and workshops, fostering community engagement year-round.
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New Bedford Day of Portugal
Type: Cultural
Location: Downtown New Bedford
Month: June
Description: A lively celebration of Portuguese culture with traditional food, music, and dance, reflecting the city’s deep ties to Portugal and its immigrant history.
Senhor Da Pedra Feast
Type: Religious/Cultural
Location: Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church
Month: June
Description: A religious and cultural event honoring Senhor Da Pedra with a procession, mass, and Portuguese food, drawing the local Portuguese community together.
Holy Ghost of Pico Feast
Type: Religious/Cultural
Location: Various locations in New Bedford
Month: August
Description: Rooted in Azorean tradition, this feast features a parade, religious services, and communal meals, celebrating faith and heritage with a strong community focus.
Polish Fest
Type: Cultural/Food
Location: Polish Club, New Bedford
Month: September
Description: A celebration of Polish heritage with pierogi, polka music, and dancing, showcasing New Bedford’s diverse cultural fabric in a festive atmosphere.
Whale City Comedy Festival
Type: Comedy
Location: Various venues in New Bedford
Month: August
Description: A multi-day event featuring comedians from Netflix and Comedy Central, bringing laughter to the city over Labor Day weekend with shows across multiple venues.
New Bedford Oktoberfest
Type: Food/Music
Location: Downtown New Bedford
Month: October
Description: A German-inspired festival with craft beer, pretzels, and live music, offering a seasonal twist to the city’s vibrant event calendar.
New Bedford Food Truck Festival
Type: Food
Location: Fort Taber Park, New Bedford
Month: August
Description: A gathering of food trucks offering diverse cuisines, live music, and family activities, set in a historic park with scenic views of Buzzards Bay.
Seaport Art Walk
Type: Arts
Location: New Bedford Seaport Cultural District
Month: May
Description: An outdoor art exhibition featuring local artists’ works along the waterfront, encouraging exploration of the city’s creative scene in springtime.
Website
New Bedford Reggae Fest
Type: Music
Location: Pier 3, New Bedford Waterfront
Month: July
Description: A rhythmic celebration of reggae music with live bands, food vendors, and a laid-back vibe, drawing crowds to the waterfront for a summer party.
Moby-Dick Marathon
Type: Literary/Cultural
Location: New Bedford Whaling Museum
Month: January
Description: An annual 24-hour reading of Melville’s Moby-Dick, attracting literature enthusiasts to the whaling museum for a unique cultural experience tied to the city’s past.
Website
New Bedford Pride Festival
Type: Community/Cultural
Location: Buttonwood Park, New Bedford
Month: June
Description: A colorful celebration of the LGBTQ+ community with live performances, vendors, and family-friendly activities, promoting inclusion and diversity.
Taste of SouthCoast
Type: Food
Location: Pier 3, New Bedford Waterfront
Month: May
Description: A culinary showcase of local restaurants and vendors offering tastings, paired with live music and waterfront views, kicking off the summer season.
New Bedford Film Festival
Type: Film
Location: Various venues in New Bedford
Month: April
Description: A showcase of independent films with screenings, workshops, and filmmaker Q&As, highlighting the city’s growing arts scene over a weekend.
Buttonwood Park ZooFest
Type: Family/Community
Location: Buttonwood Park Zoo, New Bedford
Month: October
Description: A family-oriented event at the zoo with animal encounters, games, and seasonal activities, raising funds for conservation and celebrating local wildlife.
Website