This month our AHA! partners are offering a variety of both virtual and IRL (in-real-life) programs.
Look for the Virtual and IRL icons to help you plan your AHA! activities.
Virtual
IRL
Click For Tips To Help Get The Most Out Of Your Vaha! Experience
AHA! In The Afternoon
Our downtown New Bedford museums, galleries and institutions are open for visitors.
Visit their websites for more info about current hours, programs, exhibits and COVID19 safety protocols.
New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center
Open on AHA! 10am – 4pm
Plus IRL AHA! programming 5-7pm (see listing below)
Click For More Info
New Bedford Port Society
including Seamen’s Bethel & Mariner’s Home
Open on AHA! 10am – 4pm
Click For More Info
New Bedford Whaling Museum
Open on AHA! 10am – 4pm with reserved timed admission
Click For More Info
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
Open on AHA! 10am – 4pm
Letters to Santa drop-off spot (see listing below)
Click For More Info
Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum
Open on AHA! 10am – 4pm
Click For More Info
New Bedford Art Museum / Artworks!
Open on AHA! 10am-4pm with reserved timed admission
Plus virtual & IRL programming 4-9pm (see listing below)
Click For More Info
Please consider shopping or dining in DNB
to help support our small biz community.
Follow DNB, Inc. on Facebook /dnbinc or Instagram @dnbinc for updates about downtown dining and retail shopping.
Celebrating your Art, History & Architecture from home?
Order up some take-out or delivery from one of your
favorite downtown eateries and enjoy all the
VAHA! programming from the comfort of your couch.
Click For Dining Options
Be sure to search #giftDNB on social media for all the ways you can shop local, shop unique, shop DNB.
Brought to you by Downtown New Bedford Inc
Alison Wells Art Gallery
Open until 7pm during the December (V)AHA!
Shop miniature original artwork (perfect for stocking stuffers and Secret Santa gifting),
greeting cards (holiay, New Bedford and Caribbean themed)
and gift cards (perfect for classes and commissions).
Plus works from local artists including hand-carved wooden birds,
macrame and stained glass wall hangings.
Click For On-line Shop
Celia’s Boutique
Open until 8pm during the December (V)AHA!
Shop sales on select items throughout the store. Celia’s features
fine upscale women’s fashions and accessories.
Check Website For Other Shopping Opportunities
NBAM / Artworks! Museum Shop
Open until 9pm during the December (V)AHA!
The Shop is stocked with new artful items, including beautiful handmade face masks.
Up to 70% of Shop proceeds go directly back to artists in the community.
Check Website For Other Shopping Opportunities
Judith Klein Art Gallery
Open 5-8pm during the December (V)AHA!
Shop local art or grab a gift card.
Cards and art are also available to be mailed/shipped.
Check Website For Other Shopping Opportunities
Kilburn Mill Artisan CenterOpen 5-8pm during the December (V)AHA!Visit the many Kilburn Mill Artists and Artisans
and shop for fine arts crafts and more.
Check Website For Other Shopping Opportunities
New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center
Open until 7pm during the December (V)AHA!
The FHC gift shop has a great selection of unique and local
books, jewelry, and artwork that make wonderful gifts.
They also have a small selection of their gift shop items
available online including DVDs, books, and FHC apparel.
Click For On-Line Shop
New Bedford Pottery Works
Open 5-8pm during the December (V)AHA!
Shop local artisans and crafters at this open studios event.
Click For Other Shopping Opportunities
Subtext Bookshop
Open until 8pm during the December (V)AHA!
BOGO Holiday Sale: buy one book and receive a second of equal value for FREE.
TL6 The Gallery
Open until 8pm during the December (V)AHA!
Featuring 2 new artists and the return of Tadfield Traditions paper ornaments.
Shop a wide variety of holiday gifts including cloth face masks and Naked Bee
hand sanitizer to help keep you and your family safe this season.
Click For Other Shopping Opportunities
The Drawing Room
Open until 8pm during the December (V)AHA!
Shop original, handcrafted work by New England artisans.
Click For More Shopping Opportunities
UMass Dartmouth Ceramics Club
Sidewalk Holiday Sale from 5-8pm
Part of Sparkle at the Star Store (see below)
Shopping Spotlight
Buy Black New Bedford Holiday Gift Guide
BuyBlackNB has made it easy to Buy Local and Buy Black this holiday season.
Click For Gift Guide
Buy Black New Bedford is an online platform dedicated to highlighting,
discovering, and promoting Black-owned businesses in the Southcoast.
A frequently updated and growing directory for all shopping and service needs.
This is also a great way to buy locally and support the region’s economy.
In supporting Black-owned businesses, we work to close the racial wealth gap,
strengthen our local economies, foster job creation, and celebrate Black culture.
Click To Buy Black NB
(V)AHA! Programs
10am-4pm at
the NB Whaling National Historical Park
Mail your letters to Santa!
Leave letters for Santa in English or Spanish. Include a return address on the envelope so that Santa and his elves can send an a response.
Any Time between 12/7 & 1/4/2021
Walk of Stars In Wings Court
Community Nurse Home Care presents
The 2020 Walk of Stars in Wings Court.
Stroll at your leisure and enjoy the stars – on the paths, in the trees and in the sky – all highlighting individuals, groups and organizations that have made life brighter for others during this difficult year.
Look for the QR codes, and use your smart phone to scan, for more info about the Walk of Stars nominees.
After Dark in
the Rotch-Jones-Duff Gardens
Garden Illumination
The R-J-D garden will be illuminated from sundown forward, and is open to the public at no charge, seven days a week.
Any Time
Music for The Season
How Can I Keep from Singing
performed by the UMASSD University Chorus Fall 2020
Click To Watch
A Celtic Silent Night
performed by the South Coast Children’s Chorus Fall 2020
Click To Watch
4-10pm at Play Arcade
Opening Reception for art by Jess O’Connell, 6-9pm
Boston Maki is an east coast street artist with a studio located in the Killburn Mill. You can find Boston Maki street art through out New Bedford.
Play Arcade is an old school 80’s style Arcade offering craft-made food and beverages including many vegan options. Be sure to check out the amazing murals created by local artists.
Get Your Art On with NBAM/Artworks!
4-9pm
Shopping and live music with the
New Bedford Symphony Orchestra (4-7:30pm)
4-6pm
Pick up artMOBILE art kits for some Take & Make fun.
7pm on Facebook
New Museum Dog Episode: Light!
Museum Dog, Bark Ranger, and Creative Canine
are back for another episode!
5pm on Facebook
VAHA! Mini Concert
Hosted by Scott Bishop
A special pre-recorded concert featuring musicians performing at downtown businesses.
Scapeghost at Purchase Street Records
Scott Bishop (aka Scapeghost) will be hosting AND performing songs he’s written since he moved to New Bedford in Summer 2018, including his new cosmic holiday song, “Merry Cosmos and Happy Light Year.” Scott will also be talking with Roger Chouinard, owner of Purchase Street Records.
Purchase Street Records on Facebook
Scapeghost on Band Camp
Scapeghost on Instagram
Kittens Slay Dragons at Play Arcade
Kittens Slay Dragons is a New Bedford-based Electropop/Synthwave band that sings upbeat songs about cats, depression, and nerd culture. They’ll be bringing their beeps, boops, and beats to one of downtown’s newest additions, Play Arcade. Play is a retro 90s arcade with craft beer, local small-batch coffee, and scratch-made pub and plant-based food.
Play Arcade Website
Play Arcade on Instagram
Kittens Slay Dragons Bandcamp
Kittens Slay Dragons Instagram
Click To RSVP For Updates & Reminders
Click To Watch
5-7pm
at the NB Fishing Heritage Center
Kids Craft!
Grab a Take & Make ornament kit and create some
“fishy” holiday decor.
Plus browse the unique selection of books, jewelry, and artwork and take 10% off your purchase in the gift shop.
5-8pm
in front of the Star Store & Wings Court
Sparkle at the Star Store Preview:
A festive destination in downtown New Bedford for the residents of the city and the region to enjoy during the holiday season.
Featuring:
– Stilt Walkers (5:30-6:30pm)
– Performances by Buttonwood Brass Band (5pm), 3rd EyE Youth Empowerment (6pm), & Candida Rose (7pm)
– New Bedford Hopes 2021 – a projection installation
– Holiday Window Displays
– Mail your letters to Santa!
Leave letters for Santa in English or Spanish. Include a return address on the envelope so that Santa and his elves can send an a response.
Sponsored by CVPA, UMass Dartmouth, AHA!, City of New Bedford
Sparkle at the Star Store
Saturday 12/12 from 11am – 6pm
Click For More Info
Swing by the South End
5-8pm
at the Killburn Mill
12th Anniversary / Holiday Exhibit at the Judith Klein Art Gallery
Featuring works by Diana Arvanites, Alma Cummings, Susanne Carey, Diane Cournoyer, Sarah Hale Folger, John Irwin, Judith Klein, Kat Knutsen, Ron Lister, Michelle Lapointe, Anthony Miraglia, Sheila Oliveira, Valorie Sheehan and Adrian Tio.
127 W. Rodney French Blvd
Use main entrance
2nd floor Suit 2-87
Visitors limited to 2-3 people at one time, masks must be worn.
Kilburn IRL – Open Studios
Stop by from 5-8pm during the Starry Night (V)AHA! to visit some artist open studios. Shop for fine arts, crafts and more.
Featuring:
Kat Knutsen
Christine Maiato Fitzgerald
Judith Klein
Sheila Oliveira
Wreaths by Jacque
Jared Sears
John Jameson
Karen Zukas
Lydia Broderick
Sarah Hale Folger
Maypole Weavers
Star Garden Studio
Hailey Dube
Utopia’s Path Tea Shoppe & Apothecary
Whaling City Ceramics
Kirk Studios (located around back of mill)
127 W. Rodney French Blvd
Enter at Door #4
The Artisan Center is on the 2nd floor
5-8pm at Gallery X
2 New Shows!
Gallery X-Mas: The Annual Cash & Carry Holiday Shopping Show
An end of year exhibition that displays local art and culture, promotes shopping small and supporting artists.
The Art of Charles A. Hauck
Sure to be a wild time!
7pm On Zoom
Anomaly Poetry Open Mic Join your poetry friends for some early holiday fun – and maybe catch a preview of the poets to be featured in Tidings 2020!
Meeting ID: 899 5618 2289Passcode: 415195
8:30pm On Facebook Live
Walking into 2021: An Experience of Reflection & Creation
presented by Caroline Paradis & Kelley Cabral-Mosher of
Elevate Southcoast
Most of us would agree that 2021 can’t get here fast enough!Join Elevate Southcoast for an enlightening talk about the value of honoring our past experiences, letting go of what no longer serves us, and allowing space to intentionally call in more of what we want for the upcoming year. Kelley and Caroline will lead you in a guided meditation designed to help you release what you’re ready to let go of and create a future aligned with what resonates in your soul. Click To RSVP For Updates & Reminders Click To Watch
Any Time
New Bedford Historic District Tour
with the New Bedford Preservation Society
Take a virtual walk with tour guide and historian Bruce Barnes that illuminates the heart of New Bedford’s historic district. Learn about this fascinating area and visit many of the historic sites that comprise the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park and the New Bedford Historic District. This area was the heart of old New Bedford from its founding, to its emergence as a major commercial and cultural center. Click To Watch
Have an idea for some virtual programming you’d like to bring to the party?
Have some tips or tricks you can share about virtual event best practices?
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