New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
No rain or snow in the forecast means that nature won’t interfere with all the goings-on across the South Coast and beyond. Daily mild temperatures between 43-52 degrees mean that you can break out your hoodie and be comfortable. If you head out in the early morning or night however, you’ll need to bundle up since lows this weekend will dip below freezing and be between 27-36 degrees. Otherwise, the sun will be out for the vast majority of the weekend!
As always, click on the title for more or detailed information on the event. Most of the events were pulled from our event calendar where you can find hundreds of local area events each month. The event calendar is FREE, so if you are a local business, and not taking advantage of FREE publicity, shame on you! Are you a local business and want to sponsor this high traffic, weekend guide? Contact info@newbedfordguide.com for more details. Have an event to add? Add it here. Know of another event this weekend? Post a reply!
Friday, December 2nd
AHA! Holiday Shop & Stroll (4:00pm-6:00pm)
New Bedford area residents are invited to stroll the festively decorated cobblestoned streets of the Whaling City’s downtown, to shop locally for holiday gifts, hear caroling, dine out, jump aboard fire truck rides, meet Santa, witness the city’s tree lighting and more. http://www.ahanewbedford.org/holiday-stroll.php
Qigong & Taiji (Tai Chi) Meetup (5:00pm-5:45pm)
Qigong is a Chinese mind-body practice of aligning body, mind and breath for exercise, healing, meditation and energy cultivation. However Taiji is just an advanced form of Qigong and is based on martial art technique. In the class, the instructor will be going through parts of the Yang style Taiji 37-form and various Qigong routines such as Baduanjin. No prior experience in Qigong and/or Tai Chi is required. This is no charge but all participants are required to complete and sign a registration and release form. Aikido of Bristol County Bushido Tenshin Dojo, 304 Bolton St, #401, New Bedford.
Benoit Square Lighting (6:00pm)
Benoit Square, Main & Adams Streets in Fairhaven. The North Fairhaven Improvement Association will host a sing-along, light the decorated square, and welcome Santa Claus to North Fairhaven. Free. For more information, email silverado504@msn.com or call Jeff at 508-990- 3534.
Beekman Vol.02 at Greasy Luck Brewery (7:30pm-10:00pm)
Formed in 2012 at the 5th Estate sessions in Brooklyn, NYC, Beekman is a collective endeavor by saxophonist Kyle Nasser, pianist Yago Vazguez, bassist PabloMenares, and drummer Rodrigo Recabarren. The chemistry within this quartet facilitates a unique sound, coupling eclectic original compositions with dynamic group interplay. Beekman recently celebrated the release of their first record (Vol.1, Discos Pendiente) with a 10-day tour of Chile, a tour of New England, and several gigs around NYC, playing several festivals and clubs. Their new album, Vol.2, will be released in fall 2016. Tickets: https://greasyluckbrewery.com/product/beekman-vol-2-event/. Greasy Luck Brewery,
791 Purchase St. New Bedford.
Newport Vineyard’s “Barrel of Laughs” Comedy: Orlando Baxter Headliner (8:00pm-10:00pm)
An evening of wine and a barrel of laughs as host and comedian Jeremy Furtado welcomes Emily Ruskowski, special guest Mike Holmesand and headliner Orlando Baxter. Orlando has performed around the globe including The New York Comedy Contest, NBC’s ‘Stand Up for Diversity’, The Boston Comedy Festival, and The Montreux Comedy Festival in Switzerland. Newport Vineyards, 909 E Main Rd., Middletown, RI.
Saturday, December 3rd
Oxford Book Haven & Cafe Book Sale (Fairhaven) (9:00am-1:00pm)
We have a large selection of books–most are 50 cents. We currently have a special section for our DOLLAR- A-BAG-BOOK SALE. Coffee, tea, soda and home-made coffee breads are available. We welcome anyone to join us in working on our puzzle. Computers and WiFi is available to the public. 357 Main Street, Fairhaven.
Holly Fair (Westport) (9:00am-3:00pm)
Lobster Rolls are back! Westport Point United Methodist Church, 1912 Main Road, will hold its annual Holly Fair. There will be holiday greens, vintage jewelry, baked goods, silent auction, knitted and handmade items, and local vendors. A lobster roll and chowder luncheon will be held from 11 am to 1 pm.
Newport Holiday Stroll (10:00am-8:00pm)
Enjoy a stroll through Newport to find unique New England events like the Nutcracker performed by Island Moving Company at Rosecliff, live entertainment throughout the city including busking and caroling, and fun for the whole family with ice skating downtown and the Bowen’s Wharf 46th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting with Santa Claus, dozens of local restaurants serving everything up from apple cider and pumpkin spiced lattes to New England Clam Chowder to locally sourced sea-to-table cuisine. Find hand crafted and local artisan made gifts at hundreds of shops open all season long, many serving refreshments as well as special offers and discounts during the Newport Holiday Stroll every weekend this holiday season! Newport Holiday Stroll, 304 Thames Street, Newport, RI.
Happy Hosta at Haskell Public Gardens (10:00am-3:00pm)
The shop will feature local nature-inspired artisans mastering in painting, stained glass, pottery, sculpture, and more. Along with unique gifts, the Happy Hosta will feature wreaths, plants, and must-have garden tools for your favorite gardener. 777-787 Shawmut Avenue, New Bedford.
New Bedford Christmas Auction (10:00am-8:00pm)
Pre-sale from 12-2pm, Auction starts at 2pm. Find great Holiday Gifts for a fraction of the price at the stores. Save a ton of money. New Bedford Inn & Suites, 500 Hathaway Road, New Bedford.
AHA! Holiday Shop & Stroll (12:00pm-4:00pm)
New Bedford area residents are invited to stroll the festively decorated cobblestoned streets of the Whaling City’s downtown, to shop locally for holiday gifts, hear caroling, dine out, jump aboard fire truck rides, meet Santa, witness the city’s tree lighting and more. http://www.ahanewbedford.org/holiday-stroll.php
FREE Neediest Families Fundraising Event – Raffles, Prizes, Free Food, DJ, Face Painting, and more (12:00pm-8:00pm)
In 1921, The Standard-Times founded the Neediest Families Fund to make the holidays a happier time for underprivileged children and their families in Greater New Bedford. Since then, thousands of dollars have been raised to help families and children by providing them with warm clothes, food and gifts for the holiday season. This is a family friendly event. We will have a DJ all day (Lima entertainment), face painting all day, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus and a hole-in-one contest with Oceans 18 mini golf.
We will have “celebrity bartenders” which will consist of the NB and Fairhaven City Councilors and representatives, Sheriff Tom Hodgson, Former Mayor Scott Lang and many other well knowns. Seaport Inn & Marina, 110 Middle St., Fairhaven.
City of New Bedford Official Christmas Tree Lighting (4:30pm)
Join Mayor Jon Mitchell, New Bedford City Councilors and the New Bedford community for the annual tree lighting celebration! At 4:30 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus will lead a parade up William Street to the Main Library. The parade will feature the award-winning New Bedford High School Whaler Marching Band and the All-City Middle School Marching Band and Color Guard. The countdown celebration will feature holiday songs by New Bedford pop girls group “Preminishun,” greetings from local elected officials and an appearance by Santa Claus! Finally, the ceremony will conclude with a spectacular surprise—you don’t want to miss this fiery hot finale sponsored by the Office of New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell. New Bedford Community Services Department will also serve complimentary hot chocolate!
Festival of Lights Celebration at Clasky Common Park (5:00pm)
Clasky Common Park at County and Pope Streets
Join the countdown celebration to illuminate festive displays of dazzling lights throughout Clasky Common Park. Members of the Parker Elementary School chorus will perform and Santa Claus is expected to join the celebration!
Celebrate Salsa and more! (7:00pm)
Wareham Dances is a program sponsored by Cultural Connection, Inc. of Greater Wareham, design to offer unprecedented opportunities to participate view and otherwise enjoy the art of dance by residents and guests of Greater Wareham. Wareham Dances presents Celebrate Salsa (and more). Suggested donation $8 for adults and $6 for seniors and students. Dancer and Dance Instructor, Sydonee Harris hosts the event.
Sunday, December 4th
SouthCoast Flea Market (9:00am-4:00pm)
Bring yourself, bring a friend; come on down Sundays 9AM – 4PM. Fill your stomach at the snack bar and leave with a bag filled with antiques to nick-knacks. Indoor flea market for just $.50 per person and children under 12 are free. Street and parking lot parking. SouthCoast Flea Market, 251 Brook Street, New Bedford.
Newport Holiday Stroll (10:00am-8:00pm)
Enjoy a stroll through Newport to find unique New England events like the Nutcracker performed by Island Moving Company at Rosecliff, live entertainment throughout the city including busking and caroling, and fun for the whole family with ice skating downtown and the Bowen’s Wharf 46th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting with Santa Claus, dozens of local restaurants serving everything up from apple cider and pumpkin spiced lattes to New England Clam Chowder to locally sourced sea-to-table cuisine. Find hand crafted and local artisan made gifts at hundreds of shops open all season long, many serving refreshments as well as special offers and discounts during the Newport Holiday Stroll every weekend this holiday season! Newport Holiday Stroll, 304 Thames Street, Newport, RI.
New Bedford Wellness Program For Adults (11:00am-4:00pm)
Special NB Well Sunday: “Sense of Peace” with Qigong, massage, nutrition, yoga, and sound healing. Peace in ourselves, peace in our world. For full details see poster below.
36th annual Many Moods of Christmas Concert (3:00pm-5:00pm)
Join Musical Director Joan Roth and the Bristol County and Roger Williams University choruses for the 36th presentation of the “Many Moods Christmas.” Seating is limited. For tickets: manymoods.brownpapertickets.com; 508-904-0329.
Qigong & Taiji (Tai Chi) Meetup (5:00pm-5:45pm)
Qigong is a Chinese mind-body practice of aligning body, mind and breath for exercise, healing, meditation and energy cultivation. However Taiji is just an advanced form of Qigong and is based on martial art technique. In the class, the instructor will be going through parts of the Yang style Taiji 37-form and various Qigong routines such as Baduanjin. No prior experience in Qigong and/or Tai Chi is required. This is no charge but all participants are required to complete and sign a registration and release form. Aikido of Bristol County Bushido Tenshin Dojo, 304 Bolton St, #401, New Bedford.
