Annual downtown procession begins and ends at Custom House Square this year, where there will be interactive pop-ups, raffle prizes, and the crowning of this year’s Planet Protectors
The intersection of creativity and sustainability will be on parade during AHA! Night: Project Planet on Thursday, April 9, as artists, residents, businesses, and cultural institutions put the spotlight on what can be done to protect the Earth. This month’s AHA! Night is sponsored by Domino’s Team New Bedford.
This year, the annual Project Planet procession will begin and end at Custom House Square after the ceremonial crowning of this year’s Planet Protectors. Hip hop artist T’em Blessed returns to host the proceedings. The SouthCoast Brass Band will help lead the parade, along with AHA!’s jellyfish puppets, and CW (Buzzard Bay Coalition’s mascot). You’ll also see Buttonwood Park Zoo’s electric golf cart, a performance from Discover Language Academy’s Folklore Group, a 12’ boat from Community Boating, and signs and creations made from recycled materials. While you cheer on the participants, you might even be handed a flower made from discarded books or a packet of pollinator seeds to use at home from the parade participants of the New Bedford Free Public Library.
Visit Custom House Square from 5-7 pm, where over twenty tables will be set up by local organizations with interactive activities focused on protecting our planet. Play a variety of sorting games to learn what goes in compost bins and what can be recycled, learn mending skills, paint with ink made from local plants, build birdhouses, and so much more. This is also where you can enter the Project Planet raffle to win one of six different prize packages, including a family membership to the Buttonwood Park Zoo, a year membership to Mass Audubon, sustainable fashion, free swim lessons at the YMCA, membership to Whaling City Rowing, and a backyard compost kit. Raffle winners must be present at 6:45 pm, when the winning numbers will be announced. The Sorbae Frozen Treat van will be on hand for some tasty pops inspired by flavors from around the world.
2026 Planet Protectors
Chosen by the Greater New Bedford Project Planet Committee for their exceptional stewardship towards the natural environment, this year’s Planet Protectors are Deirdre Healy and Bernadette Souza.
Deirdre Healy was one of the original organizers and long-time driving force behind what’s now known as the Project Planet parade, engaging the community through collaboration and environmental advocacy. During her 25‑year career at UMass Dartmouth, she advanced social justice and environmental stewardship through initiatives such as Sustainable SouthCoast and Sharing the Harvest Community Farm.
Bernadette Souza is deeply committed to New Bedford, especially its youth, as exhibited by her current work as the Executive Director of Youth Opportunities Unlimited and her long tenure with the Boys & Girls Club of Greater New Bedford. By embracing the wonder and curiosity of youth, she connects children with the city’s natural surroundings and green spaces, instilling a deep appreciation and respect for nature during the learning process.
(In previous years, Planet Protectors were called Mother Earth and Father Ocean.)
PARADE ROUTE DETAILS
Enjoy the Project Planet Procession from anywhere along the route. The parade begins on Acushnet Ave at Custom House Square around 5:15 pm and makes a square, taking a right on Union St., a right on Pleasant St., a right on William St., and a final right on Acushnet, finishing where it began in Custom House Square for closing remarks.
Additional AHA! Night activities include:
- Opening night of the 2026 New Bedford Film Festival at Steeple Playhouse. Awards will be given out, including the AHA! Special Achievement Award to a film that celebrates and honors its unique community. This year’s recipient is Julien Elliott for their short documentary film After the Reading, which spotlights the grassroots origins of New Bedford’s BYOBook Club. (8:00 PM)
- Learn how to transform your corner of the earth into an eco-friendly haven for native flora and fauna with Mass Audubon at the Rotch-Jones-Duff House. (4-5:00 PM)
- Decorate your own pot and plant fresh herbs to take home with New Bedford Community Health. You can also try your luck with healthy habits bingo and enjoy some healthy snacks. (4:30-8:00 PM)
- Make a self-sustaining soda bottle terrarium at Pilgrim United Church Home. (5-7:00 PM)
- The Beyond House invites young adults (16–25) to transform everyday recycled materials into bold, expressive works of art. This hands-on event celebrates creativity, community, and the power of turning “what’s thrown away” into something meaningful. (4-8:00 PM)
- Search for hidden whales at the Whaling Museum (4-5:00 PM) and explore how watersheds and ecological networks connect people, plants, and the environment. Meet UMASS Dartmouth ecology students to learn about their Capstone projects, and experience a powerful student showcase from Our Sisters’ School in collaboration with scientists, fishermen, and artists. (4-7:00 PM)
- Step into the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center for a special presentation and film screening about the Center’s Hauling Back Generational Fishing Family Project, which presents stories of multigenerational fishing families and businesses in New Bedford and along the South Coast. (6-7:30 PM)
- Stop by Bristol Community College for SCRAM Fest, a hyper-local comics fest featuring Southcoast creators, original comics, drawing challenges, and more. (3-7:00 PM)
- Join multi-faceted musician and music educator Emmanuel “Manny” Escobar and Mwalim DaPhunkee Professor for a free, fun jazz jam session in the Zeiterion’s Speakeasy. Grab your instruments and play – or just enjoy the live music. Hosted by Blair Taylor. (6-8:00 PM)
- Artists representing 38 cities across 21 states converge at the Star Store for the third edition of Curious Figure, a national juried exhibition highlighting contemporary figurative artists. During the evening reception, winners of this year’s exhibition awards will be announced. (5-8:00 PM)
- View UMASS Dartmouth’s MFA Thesis exhibition at the New Bedford Art Museum, showcasing the artwork of graduating Master of Fine Arts students from the College of Visual and Performing Arts. The evening includes an AHA! Night reception (5-8 PM) and artist talks (6 PM). With your free admission, you can also explore the RESISTANCE: Cultural and Political Narratives in Mexican Art exhibit, and take part in a scavenger hunt through the galleries. (Note that this exhibition contains some mature themes and imagery and is recommended for ages 13+.)
- View Ash: Drawings by Elena Peteva at the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. There will be an opening reception on AHA! Night as well as an artist talk at 5 PM. Peteva is a Bulgarian-American artist and associate professor at UMASS Dartmouth. (5-6:00 PM)
AHA! AFTER DARK
And remember, the AHA! Night fun now continues well into the evening in the form of AHA! After Dark! These AHA! Night activities include: Anomaly Poetry Open Mic Night at 3rd Eye Unlimited (7-9:00 PM), 21+ karaoke at PLAY Arcade (8 PM to midnight), Ken ‘n Donna: Livin’ the Dream at Cork Wine & Tapas (6-8:30 PM), the Neal McCarthy Electric Blue Trio at the Pour Farm (8-11:30 PM), Wamptronica at the Z’s Speakeasy (8-10:00 PM), and DJ Anj Kep at the National Club (8 till closing).
Find the most up-to-date schedule on the AHA! website.
AHA! NIGHT FAST FACTS
- AHA! Nights are always free and open to the public.
- Look for the yellow flags! Most participating locations will prominently display a yellow AHA! flag to help you find AHA! Night activities.
- Park for free on AHA! Nights at the Elm Street and Zeiterion Garages.
- Museums, galleries, and shops will be open late.
- In the event of inclement weather, some events may be moved indoors or rescheduled.
- The most up-to-date schedule is always available on the AHA! website. (Events are added every day!)
- On AHA! Night, a printed program can be found at the AHA! Welcome Table in Custom House Square, the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park Visitor Center, the New Bedford Art Museum, and the New Bedford Free Public Library.
ABOUT AHA NEW BEDFORD
AHA! New Bedford provides and promotes free arts and cultural experiences for all across downtown New Bedford. For over 25 years, AHA! has helped build and promote a creative economy that, alongside other arts organizations and supporters, transformed downtown New Bedford into a cultural epicenter of Massachusetts’ South Coast. Programming has expanded to include music, film, storytelling, block parties, art markets, and more. Learn more at ahanewbedford.org.
