AHA! New Bedford

AHA! New Bedford Explore the arts & culture of downtown New Bedford and discover your AHA! moments. Free fun for everyone!

TONIGHT! We are ON for the latest edition of the city's free Summer Sound Series concerts!🎸Brian and the Cassettes with ...
08/28/2026

TONIGHT! We are ON for the latest edition of the city's free Summer Sound Series concerts!

🎸Brian and the Cassettes with special guests!
📍Purchase Street Stage
(between Union St. and William St.)
🗓️ TONIGHT, August 28, 6:30-8:30 PM

🚗 Park for free! Elm Street and Zeiterion garages are open and free during the Summer Sound Series! You can also park for free at the New Bedford YMCA starting at 5:30 pm.

🎨 Families can visit the New Bedford Art Museum's artMOBILE for some creative fun.

🍻 And don't forget, Candela Cucina (with Abaca Affair), No Problemo, The Pour Farm Tavern - New Bedford, and The Vault Performing Arts Center & Pub will be popping up with snacks and beverages!

Organized by AHA! New Bedford, and presented by Mayor Jon Mitchell, the Summer Sound Series is sponsored by WPRI 12, The Black Whale, Candela Cucina, National Club NB Mexican Cantina, The Whale's Tail, New Bedford Light - A community-news organization, Explore New Bedford, and YMCA Southcoast.

September is right around the corner, so save the date for AHA! Night: NB Cultures on Thursday, September 10th. In Custo...
08/27/2026

September is right around the corner, so save the date for AHA! Night: NB Cultures on Thursday, September 10th.

In Custom House Square, First People Encounter will present “Somos las Raíces / We Are the Roots” from 4-8 PM. Storytelling, music, dance, art, food, and cultural traditions come together to honor the First Peoples of these lands and the roots, histories, and traditions that continue to thrive today.

The experience creates space to highlight Indigenous Caribbean, Borikén (Puerto Rican), Wampanoag, and other Indigenous communities. All are welcome to participate, share, connect, and celebrate the cultures that continue to grow from these ancestral roots.

Throughout the evening, there will be games, community art activities, and resource tables. Interactive culture talks will happen at 5 and 6:30 PM, with a variety of musical and dance performances, including an educational performance from Bomba de Aquí with guest drummers and dancers at 5:30 PM and “The Evolution of Dance Through Afro-Caribbean Cultural Influence” featuring JunnYahh and invited performers at 7 PM.

As part of AHA! Night, there will also be free access to local museums, arts and crafts, live music, the return of the Zeiterion’s Jazz Jam, and late night activities happening after 8 PM during AHA! After Dark. Activities are added to the schedule each day, so learn more on our website.

September’s AHA! Night is sponsored by TFed - Taunton Federal Credit Union.

“Somos las Raíces / We Are the Roots” is also supported in part by AHA! Moments.

📸: "United Across Cultures, Connected Through Heritage." Nailani Luz Gomes “FANCY DANCING," courtesy Luz Caban

Explore New Bedford
Boricuas en New Bedford Cultural Events
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park

This Friday night, it's Brian and The Cassettes on the Purchase Street Stage for the latest Summer Sound Series concert!...
08/26/2026

This Friday night, it's Brian and The Cassettes on the Purchase Street Stage for the latest Summer Sound Series concert!

This week they are bringing a 13 piece band and a setlist overflowing with sing alongs and dancing tunes! The band provides an upbeat improvisational refresh to your favorite songs. Falling somewhere on the rock and/or roll to funk fusion spectrum, they play classic tunes from Ella Fitzgerald to Lizzo with heavy inspiration from Hendrix and James Brown.

See them on the Purchase Street stage which is located between Union Street and William Street, with music beginning at 6:30 PM!

Note: We'll be watching the weather and will let you know if the rain tries to get in the way of the event. We will keep you informed either way.

The complete band with special guests includes:
Brian Cass
Peter Antunes
Rob Massoud
Colin Bradley
Tyler Kingsland
Marcus Monteiro
Michael Gallant
David Mitton
Rick Smith
Korey Pirtle
Khepe-Ra Maat-Het-Heru
Sean Simmer
Jeff Washburn

Local restaurants and bars will be popping up so you can purchase snacks, beer, cocktails, and mocktails during the performance. Participating restaurants are Candela Cucina (with Abaca Affair), No Problemo, The Pour Farm Tavern - New Bedford, and The Vault Performing Arts Center & Pub.

The Summer Sound Series would not be possible without the support of our sponsors: WPRI 12, The Black Whale, Candela Cucina, National Club NB Mexican Cantina, The Whale's Tail, New Bedford Light - A community-news organization, Explore New Bedford, and YMCA Southcoast.

Hi folks. The weather is not on our side today, so unfortunately tonight’s Summer Sound Series concert has been canceled...
08/21/2026

Hi folks. The weather is not on our side today, so unfortunately tonight’s Summer Sound Series concert has been canceled.

⛅ Hi folks, We're keeping a close eye on the weather and will update you Friday morning on the concert status. Fingers c...
08/20/2026

⛅ Hi folks, We're keeping a close eye on the weather and will update you Friday morning on the concert status. Fingers crossed the rain holds off! ⛅

New week, new concert! But first, let's throw it back to Friday night when Pearly Baker Band performed during the latest...
08/17/2026

New week, new concert!

But first, let's throw it back to Friday night when Pearly Baker Band performed during the latest Summer Sound Series concert!

Take a look at the photos by Jay Porche for AHA! New Bedford and see you THIS Friday when Jammin : A Tribute To Bob Marley performs on the Lower Union Street Stage. Music begins at 6:30pm. And remember, it's free!

Organized by AHA! New Bedford, and presented by Mayor Jon Mitchell, the Summer Sound Series is sponsored by WPRI 12, The Black Whale, Candela Cucina, National Club NB Mexican Cantina, The Whale's Tail, New Bedford Light - A community-news organization, Explore New Bedford, and YMCA Southcoast.

TONIGHT! We're on for the latest edition of the city's free Summer Sound Series concerts!🎸Pearly Baker Band📍Purchase Str...
08/14/2026

TONIGHT! We're on for the latest edition of the city's free Summer Sound Series concerts!

🎸Pearly Baker Band
📍Purchase Street Stage
(between Union St. and William St.)
🗓️ TONIGHT, August 14th, 6:30-8:30 PM

⛅ There may be a few showers leading up to the concert, but we're prepared and hope you're ready to dance and groove to the music.

🚗 Park for free! Elm Street and Zeiterion garages are open and free during the Summer Sound Series! You can also park for free at the New Bedford YMCA starting at 5:30 pm.

🎨 Families can visit the New Bedford Art Museum's artMOBILE for some creative fun.

🍻 And don't forget, Candela Cucina (with Abaca Affair), No Problemo, The Pour Farm Tavern - New Bedford, and The Vault Performing Arts Center & Pub will be popping up with snacks and beverages!

Organized by AHA! New Bedford, and presented by Mayor Jon Mitchell, the Summer Sound Series is sponsored by WPRI 12, The Black Whale, Candela Cucina, National Club NB Mexican Cantina, The Whale's Tail, New Bedford Light - A community-news organization, Explore New Bedford, and YMCA Southcoast.

08/13/2026

AHA! Night: Summer in the Seaport is here! We hope you can join us for a free and fun time enjoying and exploring downtown New Bedford.

Some activities begin as early as 4 pm, Scallopalooza begins at 5 pm, and so much more happens throughout the evening. And don't forget to check out late night activities happening for AHA! After Dark.

Thank you to Eversource MA for sponsoring this month's AHA! Night! They’ll be popping up by Custom House Square with two trucks for kids to explore!

AHA! Night Tips

🚗 Free Parking: Don't worry about finding a place to park. During AHA! Night there is free parking at the Elm Street Garage and Zeiterion Garage.

⛅ AHA! Night happens rain or shine. We'll post any last minute changes on social media.

🗒️ Pick up a Program: Get a paper copy of the night's activities at the AHA! Welcome Table (Custom House Square), National Park visitor center, New Bedford Art Museum, and the library.

🟨 Follow the Flags: Many participating locations will have a yellow AHA! flag prominently displayed to help you find AHA! Night activities.

🫶 Share the Love: Tag us in your photos and videos .

🎉 Most important of all: HAVE FUN.

Complete schedule at ahanewbedford.org/next-aha

08/13/2026

AHA! Night: Summer in the Seaport is here! We hope you can join us for a free and fun time enjoying and exploring downtown New Bedford.

Some activities begin as early as 4 pm, Scallopalooza begins at 5 pm, and so much more happens throughout the evening. And don't forget to check out late night activities happening for AHA! After Dark.

Thank you to Eversource for sponsoring this month's AHA! Night!

AHA! Night Tips

🚗 Free Parking: Don't worry about finding a place to park. During AHA! Night there is free parking at the Elm Street Garage and Zeiterion Garage.

⛅ AHA! Night happens rain or shine. We'll post any last minute changes on social media.

🗒️ Pick up a Program: Get a paper copy of the night's activities at the AHA! Welcome Table (Custom House Square), National Park visitor center, New Bedford Art Museum, and the library.

🟨 Follow the Flags: Many participating locations will have a yellow AHA! flag prominently displayed to help you find AHA! Night activities.

🫶 Share the Love: Tag us in your photos and videos .

🎉 Most important of all: HAVE FUN.

Complete schedule at ahanewbedford.org/next-aha

This AHA! Night (Aug. 13), follow the shells! From painting to shucking to crafting, there's a whole seaport's worth of ...
08/11/2026

This AHA! Night (Aug. 13), follow the shells! From painting to shucking to crafting, there's a whole seaport's worth of shell-themed fun to explore downtown New Bedford.

🐚 Paint a kindness shell at The Beyond House YAAC — decorate a seashell with an uplifting message and keep it or pass it on. (4-8 pm)

🌊 Handle real shells and bones from local beaches with Trustees Mobile Adventures Mobile Adventures at the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. (4-7 pm)

🌊 Make a Sea Sensory Jar at New Bedford Community Health's Courtyard: a calming, ocean-inspired jar filled with colorful materials and seaside-themed decorations to bring a little piece of the sea home with you. You can also make a Summer Bucket List Craft: dream up your perfect summer adventures and create a colorful keepsake to take home. (4:30–7:30 pm)

🍨 Build your own ice cream sundae and paint shells at Pilgrim United Church Of Christ with Pilgrim UCC and Mercy Meals & More. (5-7 pm)

🎨 Make and decorate a paper scallop at the The Star Store table in Custom House Square. Turn it into your own 3D work of art! (5-8 pm)

🦪 Watch the pros shuck at Scallopalooza, featuring the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center's scallop shucking contest, with live music, crafts, fresh scallops and more on Bethel Street. (5-8 pm, shucking contest at 6:30 pm)

August's AHA! Night is sponsored by Eversource MA.

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