New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
The City of New Bedford will host their annual City Celebrates New Year’s Eve event with family-friendly programming throughout the downtown area. Activities will take place both indoors at several locations and outdoors at Custom House Square between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. This year, the City will debut its first-ever LED drone show lighting up the sky at 8:30 p.m. The programming is made possible through the generous sponsorships of Bristol County Savings Bank, Claremont Companies, and Vineyard Wind.
“The festivities for New Year’s Eve in the City are always a great opportunity for area families and visitors to enjoy free, fun events in our historic downtown,” said Mayor Jon Mitchell. “We’re grateful for the continuous generosity of Bristol County Savings Bank, which has sponsored the City Celebrates event for several years, as well as Vineyard Wind and Claremont Companies.”
Cirque de Light
Custom House Square, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
A spectacle of fire and light! Watch a dazzling show of fire dancers and their incredible mastery of circus arts accompanied by LED performers.
Dr. Finnegan’s Circus + Balloon Creations
Magic Show, New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Balloon Creations, New Bedford Whaling National Park, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Roaming Circus characters throughout downtown, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Have a hoot with the comedy circus troupe!
Photo Booth
New Bedford Whaling Museum, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Grab some props and capture a keepsake photo with your loved ones!
Richie Oliver
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The acoustic tunes of local musician Richie Oliver will fill the halls of the visitors center. Enjoy and sing along with family-friendly classics.
Toe Jam Puppet Band
New Bedford Whaling Museum, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Get ready for the “family fun band” in the Jacob’s Family Gallery with interactive silly songs and dancing.
Vinny’s Mircale Fish Puppets
New Bedford Whaling Museum, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Meet magical creatures, embarking on an imaginative journey into 2024.
Buttonwood Brass Band
222 Union Restaurant & Bar at the New Bedford Harbor Hotel, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Lounge to the trio performing jazz, classical, and the Great American Songbook while enjoying fine dining and cocktails in the restaurant/lounge of the chic New Bedford Harbor Hotel.
DJ Mikey Life of Abstrakt Music
YMCA Lawn on Union Street, 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Celebrate with a dance party and enjoy music during the drone show.
City of New Bedford Drone Show with Sky Elements Drones
Union Street between Route 18 and South 6th Street (closed for drone viewing), 8:30 p.m.
Set to the tunes of DJ Mikey Life, experience the city’s first LED drone show curated specially for New Bedford. The street will be closed for pedestrian traffic only from 5-9 p.m. The drone show will not be viewable outside of this vicinity.
Fly Safe – Know the Rules:
Flying drones within a 5 Nautical Mile Radius of the New Bedford Regional Airport without proper authorization from the FAA is a Federal Offense that carries severe penalties. The City Celebrates drone show is operated by a licensed authorized drone company.
