Family events in New Bedford, MA

Enjoy an open farm day filled with time to meet rescue animals, explore the grounds, and let kids have fun on the playground with family and friends. Admission is $10 per person, and children ages 3 and under are free. It is a simple way to make memories while supporting rescue animals and the farm community.

Each Friday at the New Bedford Howland Green Branch Library, this storytime features stories and craft activities that encourage imagination and support early learning.

Organized by the Fairhaven Commission on Disability, this second annual inclusive beach day brings the community together for a welcoming, accessible outing by the shore designed for people of all abilities and their families. Beach passes are available through the Fairhaven Recreation Center.

Enjoy a peaceful fundraiser at the sanctuary that supports rescue animals. Meet the horses, share hugs, and spend time with friendly farm companions. The focus is on quiet connection and the calming, healing bond people can feel with horses, all while contributing to their care.

Part of New Bedford’s annual Summer Sound Series, the Lower Union Street Stage features a rock and blues set from Neal McCarthy Electric 6 Piece Band. The series is organized by AHA! New Bedford, presented by Mayor Jon Mitchell, and sponsored by Explore New Bedford, WPRI Channel 12, The Black Whale, Candela Cucina, National Club Mexican Cantina, The Whale’s Tail, and the New Bedford Light. Complimentary parking is available during Summer Sound Series concerts at the YMCA, the Elm Street Garage, and the Zeiterion Garage, and all performances are weather dependent.

Step into the spotlight at community karaoke at The Shep. Sing solo, partner for a duet, bring a group, or make it a family act. Not ready to take the mic? Enjoy the show and cheer on friends and neighbors from the audience. On-site signups are available. This event is free and open to all ages, and donations are welcome and appreciated.

Gather at Lagoda, the New Bedford Whaling Museum’s half-scale model of a whaling bark, for a chance to explore below deck. This visit is free with Museum admission.

Explore marine life with an aquarium feeding, then get hands-on with aquarium craft activities. Part of Summer at NBWM, this experience combines an engaging look at the aquarium with a chance to make something creative.

Barbosa Family Farm brings a wide range of seasonal produce, plus cage-free unwashed eggs, to Roxann’s Garden Center. Pick up farm fresh ingredients while exploring the garden center. Accepted payment options include debit and credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, SNAP benefits, WIC coupons, cash, and Venmo. This market highlights local agriculture, fresh foods, and small family businesses.

Each Sunday throughout the summer, participants create original artwork inspired by pieces in the Museum. This recurring program centers on hands-on art making sparked by the Museum's collection.

Meet-and-greet featuring adoptable dogs from PAWS New England who are searching for their forever homes. Interact with the pups and get a sense of their personalities to see if one might be a match.

Families can explore the Art Museum together through hands-on activities designed for children ages 4 to 12. Participants learn about the museum’s exhibitions, make their own artwork, and enjoy a creative experience. The program is offered in a drop-in format, and each child must be accompanied by an adult, such as a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or family friend.

Step into New Bedford’s past on a walk through historic streets, tracing its rise as a global center of whaling. Explore how this busy seaport connected to the wider maritime economy, as whalemen journeyed across the world and helped shape a city known for industry, commerce, and innovation. Tour details may change.

NIMFest (Newport Independent Music Festival) is bringing live, outdoor music to the King Park Gazebo. This free weekly concert series runs on Sundays, and the August 9 show features the Coe Street Co-Op with Lily Rhodes.

This week spotlights a Camp Olympics theme at Summer Friends, a longtime Friends Academy day camp for children entering Kindergarten through Grade 5 in fall 2026. Campers enjoy a mix of classic activities that include crafts, sports, music, water play, hands-on science, and nature exploration on the Friends Academy campus in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts. Each session features weekly themes, field trips, and special guest presentations to keep the experience lively and varied. Registration is offered by the week, and the program follows a full-day format with optional Surround Care available for added convenience.

Kids can drop in to the Children's Room for a self-guided craft, with a fresh project set out each week. No registration is needed. A new activity is placed on the craft table every Monday and can be made anytime over the course of the week.

Little Friends offers an inviting introduction to summer camp for preschoolers. Week 8 features a Camp Olympics theme, highlighting age-appropriate games and activities that celebrate friendly teamwork. Based in the Friends Academy Farmhouse on the North Dartmouth campus, campers enjoy a mix of indoor and outdoor experiences tailored for young children, such as crafts, beginner sports, music, water play, simple science projects, and nature discovery. The program is open to children ages 3 to 4 who are not entering kindergarten in fall 2026. Families can choose half-day or full-day enrollment, with optional surround care, and register by the week. Special guest visits add extra excitement to the theme.

This summer program at Little Patch of Heaven Sanctuary introduces participants to animal care and rescue with sessions designed for ages 6 to 17. Groups are organized by age so learners receive guidance suited to their stage of development. Run by the nonprofit sanctuary, the program shares knowledge about farmed and exotic animal rescue, highlights responsible animal care, and encourages compassion. Learning centers on caring for animals, understanding their needs, and building meaningful connections between people and animals. Additional options on the farm include D&D and storytelling learning programs for teens. For questions, contact Alexis at 617.838.6501.

Expect bubbles, lively music, and plenty of dancing with the Toe Jam Puppet Band at Buttonwood Park Zoo. The band presents two 45-minute performances. The program fee is $10 per family after zoo admission, payable in cash.

Enjoy a free family movie in the third floor meeting room at New Bedford Main Library. The lineup includes Zootopia 2, Elio, Encanto, Luca, Migration, Despicable Me 4, Onward, and Ralph Breaks the Internet.

A weekly club centered on arts and crafts, designed for patrons in middle school and high school. Each session sets aside time to focus on creative projects for this age group.

Enjoy a summer concert evening at Sweet Berry Farm with live music by Atticus Allen & Friends as part of the Summer Jams 2026 series. The music runs from 6 PM to 8 PM, and the café will be open with dinner options for adults and kids until 7 PM. There will also be RI Cruisin' Cocktails available for purchase and Flatbed Fiction, a rolling bookstore, on site. Bring a beach chair or blanket and plan to relax on the lawn. Please note that outside food and beverages are not permitted. Parking is available with a $10 fee per vehicle, while walk-in and bike-in guests can enter free of charge. Advance registration is required for all attendees.

Residents of New Bedford Ward 5, including the South End and Cove Street area 02744, receive free admission to Buttonwood Park Zoo as part of Ward Wednesdays. Guests must present proof of address upon entry. Rides are not included. This initiative reflects the zoo’s commitment to reducing cost barriers and creating opportunities to experience wildlife, education, and meaningful family moments.

Toddlers can enjoy a friendly gathering at the Lawler Branch featuring stories and fun activities in a welcoming setting.

Step inside an inflatable whale and get creative with whale-themed crafts. This interactive activity takes place every Wednesday.

Take a guided walk through New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park to explore the extraordinary world of whales. Along the route, learn about their immense scale, unique adaptations, and the ways they communicate and travel across oceans. Discover how these animals shaped New Bedford’s history, powered global industries, and connected this port to people and places around the world. Please note that tour plans may change.

Seeds to Sprouts brings Backyard Band Jams’ musical gardening experience to Down to Earth Animal Rescue and Sanctuary, blending music, nature, and hands-on learning for families in a relaxed setting that can move between indoors and outdoors. The series is donation based, with support from the Dartmouth Cultural Council, the MassCulturalCouncil, and Down to Earth Animal Rescue and Sanctuary. For details, direct message or text 508 493 0355.

Cool off with a Stardew Valley gaming session. This farming sim is a sandbox where you can grow crops, explore the mines, fish, pursue romance, and discover many other activities.

Spend part of the summer exploring interactive STEM projects on a rotating Thursday schedule in July and August. A squid dissection is available for those who want to take the learning further. Admission is $7. Advance registration is suggested due to limited capacity.

Grades 6 to 12 are invited to a fun volcano experience hosted by teen librarians. Expect eruption noises and a hands-on volcano activity taking place in the park. Registration is required.

A garden-themed science program presented by The Children's Museum Easton is designed for children ages 5 to 10. Supplies are limited and will be provided until they run out. This program is made possible in part by a grant from the New Bedford Cultural Council, a local agency that is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.