New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
After a very hot week filled with sunshine, the weekend’s forecast predicts a chance of thunderstorms. According to weather.com, the forecast is for scattered thunderstorms Friday, isolated thunderstorms Saturday, and then back to sunny skies on Sunday. Temperatures are predicted to range in the highs of 78°F – 84°F.
While enjoying the weekend, definitely check out one or some of the many opportunities in the area to listen to local music, celebrate nightlife, enjoy the arts, or benefit a good cause. As always, most events discussed here are from LocalOracle. To have your events promoted for FREE, submit them HERE. If you need directions, simply click on the event name for contact info and directions.
FRIDAY, JULY 8
Friday kicks off the weekend with the start of one of New Bedford’s most enjoyed, annual festivals – the Whaling City Festival at Buttonwood Park. The festival is a three-day event and is open Friday-Sunday from 9am-8pm. Enjoy rides, games, yummy carnival food, music and lives performances. Or shop the many vendors and tents that will be set up! The Whaling City Festival is a super fun summertime event.
From NewBedfordGuide: “The Whaling City Festival has been running for an amazing 42 years and attendance is FREE of charge. The organizers claim that over 150,000 people visit each year. The festival offers over 200 retail vendors and 26 food vendors. The main attractions are the local bands, radio stations, vintage car shows and of course carnival rides.
If you are looking for a great event outside this weekend, the Whaling City Festival is perfect for all ages. Live music will include Beatles, Santana, Johnny Cash and Led Zeppelin tribute bands with some amazing local music to include Neal McCarthy Problem and Abby Normal. Other entertainment includes Top Rope Wrestling, Rosie’s Racing Pigs, Poppytown Puppets, BINGO with Linda Morad, Whaling City Food Drive and much more. A full schedule of events can be found here.
The Whaling City Festival Custom Car and Truck show will be held Sunday from 8 AM to 3 PM and cost $15 per entry. The trophy presentation will be at 3 PM. Don’t miss yet another amazing festival that only hits New Bedford once a year!”
Friday is also the opening night for “Hair: The American Tribal Love Rock Musical,” presented by the New Bedford Festival Theatre at the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center (684 Purchase St.). ‘Hair’ will be running from July 8 through to the 17th. Tickets are $30-$45, and are available for purchase HERE. Don’t miss out on this show!
From The Z: “Don’t miss HAIR, the most exuberant musical on stage! HAIR tells the story of a group of friends choosing to speak up and sing out in celebration of love, life and freedom. The first great rock musical, it has some of the most rousing and soulful songs ever written for the stage, including “Let the Sunshine In,” “Easy to Be Hard,” “Good Morning Sunshine,” “Aquarius” and the infectious title song, “Hair”. Its relevance is undeniable. Its energy is unbridled. Its truth is unwavering. It’s HAIR and it’s time!”
For Friday nightlife, check out DJ Eddie Freitas at the Ice Chest Bar and Grille (136 Huttleston Av., Fairhaven), or enjoy music by In-House DJs at Catwalk Bar and Grille (34 Union St.) or Hibernia Irish Pub (109 Williams St.).
For more events, check HERE.
SATURDAY, JULY 9
Start this Saturday morning with peace, love, and exercise. Weather permitting, there will be Yoga at Fort Taber (1000C South Rodney French Blvd.) from 9am-10am. This will be a vinyasa style, hour-long yoga class and attendants are required to bring their own mat or towel, and water. The class is only $5 and proceeds benefit local charities. This is a great way to start the weekend out with healthy exercise and good karma! Contact southcoastyoga@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.
Be sure to check out the Whaling City Festival if you didn’t on Friday! Or, if you had a great time, head back for another fun day on Saturday. Check out the schedule of events HERE.
For dinner and music, head on over to No Problemo (813 Purchase St.) for some super yummy Mexican food, and stick around after 10pm to enjoy Sean Bones and Jake Hill. Or enjoy a meal and rock out to some soul music with Johnny Edwards Power of Soul at Ice Chest Bar and Grille (136 Huttleston Ave., Fairhaven) at 9pm. For other nightlife, check out DJ Jr Ray at Fins (37 Union St.).
For more events, check HERE.
SUNDAY, JULY 10
Enjoy a beautiful beach day at Horseneck Beach! Sunny should be clear skies and hot temps, making for a perfect beach day. Horseneck Beach (5 John Reed Rd., Wesport) is one of the most popular beaches in the South Coast and is part of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. Day passes are $7/car or season passes are $35 for Massachusetts Residents. Spend the day with your friends, or bring your family and enjoy the ocean, sun and sand. Be sure to wear SPF and stay hydrated!
Or sleep in and enjoy a late lunch or brunch at the Ice Chest Bar and Grille (136 Huttleston Ave., Fairhaven); open at 10am. Ice Chest will be hosting their Second Sunday Blues Brunch with featured blues performer Neal McCarthy. There will be a full brunch provided along with bloody-marys and mimosas – yum!
Don’t forget, if you missed the first two days of the Whaling City Festival, you can still enjoy it on Sunday! Check out the schedule of events HERE.
Or, just like every other Sunday, enjoy a late brunch or lunch date at Cork Wine and Tapas (90 Front St.) or Dog Day Sundays with your BFF (best furry friend) at Hibernia Irish Pub (109 William St.). End the weekend with Karaoke at the Catwalk Bar and Grille (34 Union St.) at 9:30pm.
