New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
The following community events will take place in the city of New Bedford during the month of December in celebration of the holiday season:
City of New Bedford Official Christmas Tree Lighting
Date and time: Saturday, December 1 at 4:30 p.m.
Location: Pleasant Street in Front of Main Library Downtown
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, greetings from local elected officials and an appearance by Santa Claus! New Bedford Community Services Department will serve complimentary hot chocolate.
Stop by the Zeiterion Theatre at 7:00 p.m. for a free showing of the holiday movie Home Alone following the conclusion of the City of New Bedford Tree Lighting, as part of Mayor Mitchell’s Classic Movie Series!
Holiday Shop & Stroll
Date: Saturday, December 1, and Sunday, December 2
Time: Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Downtown New Bedford
On December 1 and December 2, everyone is invited to stroll the festively decorated streets of downtown, shop locally for gifts, hear festive holiday music, dine out, jump aboard fire truck rides (12-4PM), meet Santa and more.
Monte Park/Gomes School Neighborhood Association Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
Date and time: Monday, December 3 at 5:30 p.m.
Location: Monte Park located at Acushnet Avenue and Cannon Street
Cove Street Neighborhood Group Tree Lighting
Date and time: Friday, December 7 at 6:00 p.m.
Location: Loretta Bourque Park at corner of Ruth Street and Salisbury Street
Far North End Neighborhood Association Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
Date and time: Saturday, December 8 at 6:00 p.m.
Location: Fire Station 5, 3665 Acushnet Avenue
Festival of Lights Celebration at Clasky Common Park
Date and time: Sunday, December 9 at 5:00 p.m.
Location: Clasky Common Park at County Street and Pope Street
Neighborhoods United and New Bedford Police Department Public Safety Memorial Christmas Tree Lighting at Brooklawn Park
Date and time: Monday, December 10 at 6:00 p.m.
Location: Brooklawn Park, 1997 Acushnet Avenue
Ashley Park Christmas Tree Lighting
Date and time: Wednesday, December 12 at 6:00 p.m.
Location: Ashley Park Community Center, corner of Rivet Street and Bolton Street
Neighborhoods United Christmas Tree Lighting
Date and time: Friday, December 14 at 6:00 p.m.
Location: Harrington Park, corner of Court Street and Tremont Street
Bullard Street Neighborhood Association Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
Date and time: Saturday, December 15 at 6:00 p.m.
Location: Riverside Park, corner of Belleville Avenue and Tallman Street
Seamen’s Bethel Christmas Candlelight Service
Date and time: Sunday, December 16 at 4:00 p.m.
Location: Seamen’s Bethel, 15 Johnny Cake Hill
Free Horse Drawn Carriage Rides
Date and time: Saturday, December 22 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Custom House Square, downtown New Bedford
27th Annual Holiday House Tour:
Date and time: Saturday, December 15 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 16 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Wamsutta Club, 427 County Street
Capture the holiday spirit on the New Bedford Preservation Society’s 27th Annual Holiday House Tour. Visitors will be inspired by the varied architecture and interiors, all beautifully decorated for the season. The tour runs Saturday the 15th, 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Candlelight Tour and Sunday the 16th, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Afternoon Tour.
