Tree Lightings, Downtown Stroll to Highlight Festive Weekend in New Bedford

The city’s holiday season kicks off this weekend, with the Downtown Holiday Stroll and Tree Lighting on Saturday followed by the Clasky Common Tree Lighting on Sunday. Here are details:

Downtown Holiday Stroll

Date and time: 12 – 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4

(Rain date: 12 – 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11)

Location: Downtown New Bedford

Events: (updates at the “dNB’s Holiday Stroll” event page on Facebook)

  • New Bedford Fire Museum Antique Fire Truck Rides, Barkers Lane 12 – 4 p.m.
  • Southcoast Brass Band (various locations) 12 – 3 p.m.
  • Seaglass Theater Company Carolers (various locations) 2 – 4 p.m.
  • BuyBlackNB Mini Market in Bristol Hall, 12 – 5 p.m., with live music from Manny Escobar 12 – 2 p.m.
  • A Festive Holiday Drag Performance by Kirbie Fully Loaded
  • A Special Dance Performance by NBPAC on The Whaling Museum plaza, corner of William and First streets, 3 p.m.
  • New Bedford Star Chasers Cosmic Bike Parade, 2–4 p.m.
  • Santa spotting throughout downtown
  • The Cureist Pop-Up Shop at Calico, 173 Union St., 12–5 p.m.

 

City of New Bedford Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting

Date and time: 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4

Location: Pleasant Street in front of Main Library downtown

Program:

  • Join Mayor Jon Mitchell, New Bedford City Council President Joe Lopes and the New Bedford community for the annual tree lighting celebration. This year’s emcee will be Armand Marchand, executive producer for New Bedford Festival Theater.

 

  • At 4:30 p.m., a parade will march from the bottom of William Street, near the Whaling Museum, to the library steps for the tree-lighting. The parade will feature the New Bedford High School marching band and color guard, Santa and Mrs. Claus, and surprise guests

 

  • Remarks at the library by Mayor Mitchell and Councilor Lopes will be followed by holiday songs by Miss New Bedford Megan Sylvia, Miss New Bedford Outstanding Teen Hannah Lima, and Miss Whaling City Teen Kieyana Fleming

 

  • Free hot chocolate will be offered courtesy of Community Services, Veterans Transition House and New Life Church

Clasky Common Park Christmas Tree Lighting 

Date and time: 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5

Location: Clasky Common Park at County Street and Pope Street

Program:

  • Remarks by Mayor Mitchell and Councilor Lopes, followed by holiday songs by Miss New Bedford Megan Sylvia, Miss New Bedford Outstanding Teen Hannah Lima, and Miss Whaling City Teen Kieyana Fleming (scheduling may not allow for all three), and the Parker School Chorus

 

  • Guest appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus