Family events in Fall River, MA

A friendly storytime features engaging stories and simple crafts that encourage imagination and support early learning.

Trace the paths of Frederick Douglass and Herman Melville through New Bedford on a walking tour that brings the city of 1841 into focus. Learn how Douglass, newly free, built a life here with work, community, and opportunities that fueled his later influence as an abolitionist, author, and speaker. Discover how Melville drew inspiration from the port’s whaling enterprise and maritime culture, influences that later shaped Moby-Dick and his depiction of a city connected to global trade. Along the way, see how the waterfront, local industries, and neighborhood life affected both men and linked this harbor to the wider world, showing why their words and experiences continue to resonate today.

Drop in for a casual Board Game Night at Once Upon a Bookstore. You can pick a game from what’s available at the store, or bring your own to play with others. This is an in-person event with plenty of time to get a game going and enjoy the evening.

Experience a visit below deck on the Lagoda, the New Bedford Whaling Museum's half-size replica of a whaling bark. There is no additional fee beyond Museum admission.

Starting to breastfeed often comes with questions, and the right guidance can make it feel achievable and meaningful. Healthy Babies, Happy Moms offers a breastfeeding class that equips expectant parents with practical know-how and support so they can begin feeding their baby with confidence. It is well suited for those in the third trimester, and partners are encouraged to participate as part of the support team. The session covers the benefits of breastfeeding, prenatal breast assessment, how lactation works, positioning and breast support, understanding suck patterns and creating a comfortable latch, and common issues that may arise for both babies and mothers. Led by an experienced lactation team in East Greenwich, the class provides a welcoming setting to ask questions, practice hands-on techniques, and prepare for the first days and weeks with a baby. Advance registration is required, enrollment is limited to keep the experience personal, and the cost is $75 per couple. The aim is to build a strong foundation so new families feel informed, supported, and ready for their breastfeeding journey.

A monthly dog nail trim clinic takes place at Tractor Supply in Taunton, offering either a standard trim or a dremel file for $15. Dogs must be current on their rabies vaccination, and no appointment is required. If your dog is reactive or needs extra space, call or text 774-520-7310 to arrange accommodations. Payment is accepted by cash, card, or Venmo.

Bring your well-behaved dogs for a laid-back lunch in a scenic setting. Enjoy delicious food while pups explore and unwind in a welcoming pet-friendly space, with special menu options made for them. It offers an easygoing way to share a meal and meet other furry companions.

A free waterfront community concert at Norton City Pier in Fall River marks 175 years of service as a community bank. The Breakers, a Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers tribute band, headline the live music. Food trucks will be available, and attendees can bring a blanket or chair for comfortable seating. The atmosphere is family friendly beside the water.

A free, family friendly event at Crowne Plaza showcases more than 250 cars alongside live music, food trucks, Del’s Lemonade, local artists, a Touch a Truck experience, and activities for kids. It is a morning focused on bringing the community together in support of local children facing life threatening illnesses. All funds raised benefit A Wish Come True and the families it serves. Admission is free, and registration is encouraged.

Every Sunday, visitors create original artwork inspired by pieces on view in the museum. This recurring program encourages creativity sparked by the collection.

On Sundays, the Art Museum offers family-friendly activities for children ages 4 to 12 along with parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends. Participants can explore the museum’s exhibitions, make art together, get creative, and have fun. Drop in at any time. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Explore New Bedford on foot and trace its rise as a renowned center of whaling. The walk moves through streets steeped in history and explains how this active seaport tied the city to a worldwide maritime network, sending crews across oceans and shaping a community built on industry, commerce, and innovation. Please note that tour details may change.

NIMFest (Newport Independent Music Festival) brings live, outdoor weekly music to King Park, with concerts held from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. On August 9, the lineup features Coe Street Co-Op and Lily Rhodes. Admission is free.

Drop in each week for a do-it-yourself craft for kids. A new project will be set out on a table in the children’s room every Monday, and you can make it any time during the week. No registration is required.

Buttonwood Park Zoo hosts Toe Jam Puppet Band for a weekly Monday celebration featuring bubbles, music, and dancing. Families can enjoy two 45 minute performances. Zoo admission is required, and there is an additional fee of $10 per family, cash only.

Free family movie screenings take place in the 3rd floor meeting room at the New Bedford Main Library. The schedule features Zootopia 2, Elio, Encanto, Luca, Migration, Despicable Me 4, Onward, and Ralph Breaks the Internet.

Expressive Arts Academy is a hands-on creative camp where kids learn self-care through making art. Sessions run on multiple weekdays, with time scheduled each day for guided, transformative art experiences connecting mind, body, and spirit.

Test your knowledge of reptiles at a themed trivia night featuring questions about snakes, lizards, tortoises, geckos, and more. All experience levels are welcome, with fun facts and engaging challenges throughout. Enjoy friendly competition in a family-friendly setting and enter for a chance to win a gift certificate. Participants can team up with friends or play solo, meet fellow reptile enthusiasts, and aim for the title of Reptile Trivia Champion.

Ward Wednesdays at Buttonwood Park Zoo offers free admission to New Bedford Ward 5 residents, including the South End and Cove Street area 02744. Proof of address is required upon entry. Rides are not included in this offer. The initiative helps ease financial strain so families can enjoy wildlife and educational experiences together. If you are unsure of your ward, check it in advance.

Toddlers can visit the Lawler Branch for storytelling and fun activities. Little ones can listen to stories and take part in playful activities.

Step inside an inflatable whale and get creative with whale themed crafts in a hands on experience.

A guided walk at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park explores whales and their impact. Participants learn about their vast size, specialized adaptations, ways of communicating, and seasonal movements, along with how these animals have fueled curiosity and scientific study. The route also traces how whales shaped New Bedford’s history, influenced industries around the world, and connected this port city to distant places. This tour is subject to change.

This beginner-friendly skating class welcomes families and newcomers of all ages. Participants receive supportive instruction with about an hour of guided practice to build confidence and skills. After class, everyone may continue skating for the remainder of the session at no additional cost. Skate rentals and safety gear are included in the class fee. Registration is available online or in person, and walk-ins are welcome. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, who will need to sign a waiver.

This walking tour explores the lives of women who traveled on whaleships in the nineteenth century and the many ways they shaped day-to-day life at sea. Drawing on journals, first-person accounts, and historical documents, it shares stories of women taking on shipboard duties, helping with navigation, filling medical roles, and building relationships with whaling families and communities across the world. The tour shows how their contributions influenced voyages and the networks that supported them.

BCI celebrates the season with a family-friendly gathering at the Taunton Learning Center, which provides ABA therapy for children with autism and Down syndrome. Children can explore sensory-friendly, carnival-themed activities and other playful experiences designed with their needs in mind, while families enjoy a welcoming atmosphere. There is no cost to attend, and the public is invited.

Presented in collaboration with Reverie Theatre Group, this staging of Hamlet unfolds inside a Baptist church in the contemporary American South. The interpretation questions the perceived boundary between church and state and engages with the play’s lasting concerns of mortality, madness, and moral corruption. Sensory friendly matinees are available. Donations are welcomed instead of a ticket fee. Support comes in part from the Cultural Councils of Acushnet, Dartmouth, Mattapoisett, and New Bedford, which are supported by the Mass Cultural Council. Additional backing is provided through the Wicked Cool Places grant funded by the City of New Bedford via its Arts, Culture and Tourism Fund, facilitated by New Bedford Creative at the New Bedford Economic Development Council.