City Celebrates! New Year’s Eve 2010

Organized and presented by AHA! and the City of New Bedford: Arrive early and stay late!

AHA! New Year's Eve 2010

Ring in 2011 with fireworks in Custom House Square—and be home in time to watch the ball drop in NYC Times Square.  AHA! and the City of New Bedford present “City Celebrates! New Year’s Eve 2010,” in the heart of the downtown historic district.   Join the AHA! partners for a family-friendly evening in downtown New Bedford.  The FREE New Year’s Celebration goes from 4 to 9 p.m. — but feel free to arrive early and stay late!  “Every SouthCoast resident is invited to join us in downtown New Bedford for what promises to be an evening of fun and family-friendly entertainment,” said Lee Heald, program director for AHA! “We’re ringing in 2011 with a warm sense of community. The downtown partners have come together to pull this off, and it looks to be a fabulous night for all of SouthCoast to share together,” Heald said.

FREE programming from 4 to 9 p.m. includes:

  • The night kicks off with a parade from City Hall to Seaman’s Bethel at 4:30 p.m. There, marchers can partake in an Ecumenical Church Service from 5 to 6 p.m.
  • Fire & Ice! Check out real fire-eaters on the Whaling Museum Plaza (18 Johnny Cake Hill) starting at 6pm and watch live ice sculpting at Custom House Square starting at 5 p.m.
  • If you’ve got kids, we’ve got activities! Head to the New Bedford Public Library (613 Pleasant St.) for Toe Jam Puppet Band concerts at 5:30 and 7 p.m. Plus face-painting with Lulu the Clown before each show!
  • Take your kids for crafts and games with the 19th Century Ladies at the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park Visitor Center (33 William Street) from 5 to 7 p.m.
  • Enjoy crafts and storytelling with Artworks!
  • Hit up the Family Magic Workshop with Jedlie’s Magic Circus!

Music-lovers, you’re in luck! What a night we have in store for you:

  • The Zeiterion Theater (684 Purchase St.) hosts one last big night of music for 2010: Shelley Chandelier & Her One Night Band, Boo City, Santa Mamba, Buzzard Blue Band, and Pumpkin Head Ted. From 4:30 to 8 p.m.
  • Eddie Dillon plays traditional Celtic Music at the Celtic Coffee House from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
  • For more acoustic music, head to the Ginger Grill to hear Adam Payne from 6 to 8 p.m.
  • The Michael Rollins Group plays jazz at the New Bedford Art Museum from 5 to 7 p.m.
  • The HQK Jazz Ensemble plays at the UMass-Dartmouth CVPA from 5 to 6 p.m. and at New Bedford Art Museum from 7 to 8 p.m. Swing dance to the beats of the The Hep Cats as they play at Bristol Hall from 5 to 7 p.m.
  • The Showstoppers will play at The Whaling Museum Theater, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
  • The Anchors, a local teen band, will play at Pilgrim United Church from 6 to 7 p.m.
  • Folkies, head to Café Arpeggio from 5 to 8 p.m. for Open Mic Night.
  • Fado musician Ana Vinagre will play at the National Park from 7 to 8 p.m.

AHA!And, of course, don’t miss the FIREWORKS in Custom House Square at 8:30 p.m.! Besides all these great FREE events, downtown’s museums, art galleries and unique boutique shops will be open all day and will stay open late for the New Year’s celebration.   AHA! (Art, History, Architecture!) partner restaurants will be open all night long for dinner, live music and spirits perfect for counting down to 2011:

  • The Waterfront Grille (36 Homer’s Wharf) offers seafood and a sushi bar.
  • Head to Purchase Street for one of No Problemo’s (813 Purchase St.) classic overstuffed burritos.
  • The Catwalk Bar & Grille (34 Union St.) has mouth watering ribs.
  • Check out the traditional Irish grub at Hibernia (109 William St.
  • Freestone’s City Grill (41 William St.) for award-winning chowder
  • The Ginger Grill (778 Purchase St.) for some amazing Korean.

Looking for a hot chai or coffee to warm your bones? Look no further than the Celtic Coffee House (42 N. Water St.) or Café Arpeggio (800 Purchase St.)

For a full list of restaurants, events and sponsors, go to www.ahanewbedford.org or call (508) 996-8253 x 205.  You can also pick up Night-of schedules at the participating sites the week of the event.

Directions: From I-195 E or W. Take Exit 15 (Rte. 18). Follow Rte 18 to 2nd traffic signal; take a right onto Union St. At the first traffic signal take a right onto Second Street and take your first left for parking in Custom House Square. Visitors can park at Elm Street garage; the City of New Bedford trolley bus will pick up visitors at the garage and shuttle them between venues from 4 to 8pm. On street parking is available for free after 6 p.m.