Press Release
Downtown New Bedford Inc is excited to announce the return of dNB Holiday Stroll! Events are scheduled from 12pm-5pm on Saturday, December 3rd with a rain date of Saturday, December 10th. With the support of NB Creative, the City of New Bedford and the New Bedford Local Cultural Council, Downtown New Bedford Inc is ready to kick off the holiday season with this much-loved annual event!
Strollers will be met with the sounds of the Seaglass Theater Company Carolers and the Southcoast Brass Band while walking the historic cobblestone streets of downtown New Bedford. Be sure to keep an eye out for the Winter Fairy — and of course, Santa Claus!
Take in the sights of downtown with antique fire truck rides provided by the New Bedford Fire Museum and be sure to support local at the numerous shops, restaurants and galleries.
“Holiday Stroll is a great opportunity to support downtown’s small businesses, as well as local artists and artisans,” says Elissa Paquette, owner of Calico on Union Street and President of local non-profit, Downtown New Bedford Inc.
Calico will be hosting a “Mini Makers’ Market” featuring local designers, artists, and crafters. The market will be located at the Bristol Building, in the spacious common area, adjoining businesses Calico, Hewn, The Greenbean, 1st Edition Collectibles, and dNB Craft Kitchen.
Calico has invited several local vendors, as well as DJ Anj Kepenski to fill the space with a festive holiday vibe
“I love the concept of using our common area as a platform for creative local vendors who don’t have a permanent retail location,” says Paquette. “It’s great exposure for them, as well as an innovative way to increase foot traffic to our existing business. Last year, Bristol Hall hosted BuyBlackNB’s holiday market, which was a great success!”
This year, the Buy Black NB Holiday Market will be located at The New Bedford Whaling Museum. Justina Perry is the founder and director of local non-profit, Buy Black NB, a free community platform dedicated to discovering, highlighting and promoting Black-owned businesses in the South Coast of Massachusetts.
“We’ve been able to double the number of vendors for this year’s market,” says Perry. “And we’ve also brought in some great local musicians and dancers to create an immersive cultural experience!”
“The Stroll is the most impactful event of the year to our local small businesses. Downtown is lucky to have a loyal following that comes out year after year to show support and it really sets the tone for the rest of the season,” says Katherine Lowe, owner of Shimmer Clean & Ethical Beauty on Union Street. “I’m also really proud of the efforts so many of our small businesses are making to give back.”
Lowe says Shimmer will be accepting pet supply donations for Lighthouse Animal Shelter, while dNB Inc has partnered with the Starchasers to collect non-perishables for TakeBackNB and the Southcoast LGBTQ+ Network at three drop spots throughout dNB. Just look for the blue bins at the Whaling Museum, Bristol Hall, and CoCreative Center!
This year’s event has an extensive list of programming. Play Arcade is hosting celebrity puppeteer and muppet designer, Bill Diamond; Festival Theatre will perform a preview of their holiday musical, White Christmas, at the Zeiterion; and a variety of kids’ arts & crafts are happening at the New Bedford Art Museum, Bristol CC, and the New Bedford Public Library to name a few!
Strollers will also find sales, pop-up shops, and food and drink offered at businesses throughout dNB.
It wouldn’t be the Holiday Stroll without the tree lighting at City Hall! Stop by William Street at 5PM to listen to Mayor Jon Mitchell address the crowd and watch as the city tree shines bright once again!
For full list of events, visit https://downtownnb.org/downtown-new-bedford-holiday-stroll-2022/
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