New Bedford to Celebrate the Holiday Season with Many Festive Community Events

The following community events will take place in the city of New Bedford during the month of December in celebration of the holiday season:

Cove Street Neighborhood Group Tree Lighting
Date and Time: Friday, December 2nd at 5:00 p.m.
Location: Park on the corner of Ruth Street and Salisbury Street

AHA! Holiday Shop & Stroll
Date and Time: Friday, December 2nd 4 to 6 p.m. and Saturday, December 3rd 12 Noon to 4 p.m.
Location: Downtown New Bedford
On Dec. 2 and 3, 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

City of New Bedford Official Christmas Tree Lighting
Date and Time: Saturday, December 3rd 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 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
Date and Time: Sunday, December 4th at 5:00 p.m.
Location: 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!

Monte Park Tree Lighting
Date and Time: Monday, December 5th at 5:30 p.m.
Location: Monte Park located at Acushnet Avenue and Cannon Street

Far North End Neighborhood Association Tree Lighting
Date and Time: Saturday, December 10th at 6:30 p.m.
Location: Fire Station # 5, 3665 Acushnet Avenue

Ashley Park Tree Lighting
Date and Time: Tuesday, December 13th at 6:30 p.m.
Location: Ashley Park on the corner of Rivet Street and Bolton Street

Bullard Street Neighborhood Association Tree Lighting
Date and Time: Saturday, December 17th at 6:30 p.m.
Location: Riverside Park on the corner of Belleville Avenue and Tallman Street

Harrington Park Tree Lighting
Date and Time: Friday, December 16th at 6:30 p.m.
Location: Harrington Park located at Court Street and Tremont Street (across from Hathaway School)

Custom House Square Shop Saturday
Date: Saturday, December 17th 12 Noon-5p.m.
Location: Custom House Square (Intersection of William Street and Acushnet Avenue in the Historic Downtown)
Downtown will be full of holiday spirit, with an array of festive activities in and around Custom House Square including: Free horse drawn carriage rides, pictures with Mr. & Mrs. Claus on the big red sled, a complimentary gift wrapping station, The Trustees of Reservations Greens (swags/wreaths) sale, The Whaling City Knots will demonstrate and sell their decorative rope creations, plus Mass in Motion Winter Farmer’s Market! www.destinationnewbedford.org/events