COME FOR THE SUMMIT, STAY TO ENJOY NEW BEDFORD
New Bedford creatives celebrate Creative Sector Advocacy Week 2025. Photo by Peter Pereria for AHA! New Bedford.
We are proud to hold this year’s Creative Sector Summit on the South Coast and organize it in partnership with many local and regional community leaders, advocates, and arts organizations.
There are countless reasons to visit New Bedford and the South Coast. Thanks to our partners at AHA! Night, Explore New Bedford, Massachusetts Design Art & Technology Institute (DATMA), and New Bedford Creative, we’ve compiled a list of events and destinations for you to check out before and after the Summit on June 12th.
PRE-SUMMIT KICKOFF
THURSDAY, JUNE 11th
AHA! (ART HISTORY ARCHITECTURE) NIGHT: PRIDE
Time: 4 PM – Midnight (Core activities are from 5 PM – 9 PM)
Location: Downtown New Bedford’s Seaport Cultural District
Admission: Free and open to all
Kick off the Summit by experiencing New Bedford’s premier model of creative placemaking. The AHA! Program is the Commonwealth’s longest continuously running free monthly arts and culture celebration. For June, AHA! New Bedford holds its annual PRIDE Celebration, a radically inclusive evening honoring the joy, history, and creative impact of the LGBTQIA+ community throughout the South Coast region.
WILLIAM STREET BLOCK PARTY
Time: 5 PM – 8 PM
Location: Between 6th and 8th Streets
The Creative Vendor Market includes over 30 local craft vendors, artisans, and community organizations. Enjoy local flavors from Sorbae Frozen Treats and Round the Bend Farm food trucks, alongside a curated mocktail bar by Gallery Bar NB. Stay for captivating aerial arts by Aerialicious Entertainment, performance shenanigans by the social-justice-minded Wicked Queer Puppet Theater, a YMCA Family Fun Area, face painting, and a live outdoor soundtrack spun by Wamptronica.
GALLERY X
Time:
5 PM | Opening Receptions: Explore the dual exhibitions Queer Futures and Soul Clap, spotlighting local and regional queer artists.
7 PM | "Time Capsule" by Wicked Queer Puppet Theatre: A unique, thought-provoking performance piece blending music, artistry, and sociopolitical commentary.
Location: 169 William Street, New Bedford
Enjoy a contemporary, community-art hub showcasing local visual narratives and immersive performance.
STEEPLE PLAYHOUSE
Time:
6 PM – 8 PM | Queens of the SouthCoast Drag Show: Hosted by the iconic Crystal Diamonds and Phlegm Mignon. This year’s performance is movingly dedicated to the memory of Danny “Ultima” Sallom.
8 PM – 9 PM | New Moon Dance Party: Keep the energy high and dance the night away inside the theater.
Location: 159 William Street, New Bedford
Duck inside this beautifully restored historic performance space, home of Your Theatre Company, for an unforgettable evening of performance and community.
BENTO’S BAR & GRILL
Time: 8:30 PM – 12:30 AM
Location: 555 Pleasant Street, New Bedford
After Party with DJ Chan.
SELF-GUIDED PUBLIC ART TOURS
New Bedford's streets are a canvas and now you can explore them on the free Bloomberg Connects app! Open the app, search for Public Art New Bedford, and take yourself on a self-guided tour through some of the most vibrant murals and public art in the city.
No schedule, no tour group, just you, your phone, and great art around every corner. We recommend the Black History Trail, or the Seaport Cultural District Downtown and Waterfront Trails.
Need a physical copy? No problem – download DATMA’s public art map using the link below. Summit attendees will also receive printed maps in their Summit tote bags!
POST-SUMMIT CELEBRATION & FUN
FRIDAY, JUNE 12TH
FIGURE DRAWING OPEN STUDIO
Time: 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: New Bedford Art Museum, 608 Pleasant St, New Bedford
Admission and Website: $20
This relaxed, self-guided open studio welcomes artists of all skill levels to practice the time-honored tradition of drawing from a live, nude model in a supportive space. Bring your own drawing materials; easels/chairs provided.
LUMINOSITY, THE ANNUAL RJD GARDEN PARTY
Time: 7 PM – 10 PM
Location: Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum, 396 County St, New Bedford
Admission: $85 (Includes food, drinks, and entertainment)
Celebrate the evening as the sun sets and the historic estate's gardens light up with a brand-new, dramatic landscape illumination system. Enjoy live performances, refreshments, and a historic ambiance.
REWEAR, A STYLISH & SUSTAINABLE SOCIAL (21+)
Time: 8 PM – 12 AM
Location: Cork, 90 Front St, New Bedford
Admission: Free (Cash bar)
From the minds behind The MadLila, DJ AnjKep and ShopNBMA, dress in your favorite vintage, secondhand, or thrifted outfit and connect with fashion-forward creatives passionate about eco-friendly style. Sip from the cash bar, enjoy the DJ, and get your look captured during street-style photo sessions.
SATURDAY, JUNE 13TH
A NEW LIFE IN NEW BEDFORD WALKING TOUR
Time: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM (The Visitor Center is open 9 AM – 5 PM)
Location: New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, 33 William St, New Bedford
Admission: Free
Join Ranger Erin to explore how New Bedford's whaling industry transformed the city into a global economic powerhouse - the wealthiest city per capita in the United States.
UNDERGROUND RAILROAD WALKING TOUR
Time: 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM (The Visitor Center is open 9 AM – 5 PM)
Location: New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, 33 William St, New Bedford
Admission: Free
Join Ranger Rufai to discover New Bedford’s powerful legacy as a historic beacon of freedom and a major hub on the Underground Railroad.
OTHER LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
New Bedford Art Museum
608 Pleasant St, Open 9 AM – 5 PM
A lively contemporary art space anchored by a stunning Dale Chihuly glass sculpture.
New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center
38 Bethel St, Open 10 AM – 4 PM
A tactile, deep-dive exhibition into the high-stakes world of commercial scalloping and fishing.
New Bedford Museum of Glass
427 County St, Open 12 PM – 5 PM
A charming hidden gem offering guided tours through stunning glasswork.
New Bedford Whaling Museum
18 Johnny Cake Hill, Open 9 AM – 5 PM
The crown jewel of downtown, with three floors of history, art exhibits, and even a full-size ship replica.
Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum
396 County St, Open 10 AM – 4 PM
A gorgeous 42-room Greek Revival mansion with beautifully landscaped gardens lovely for a leisurely visit.
