Acushnet, Fairhaven and New Bedford will be in full holiday mode thus weekend with the annual tree lightings kicking off the season. See more events on pages 5, 20, 21, 23.
Acushnet
Join us for the 2025 Acushnet tree lighting on Sun., 12/7, at 6 p.m., at Fire Station 1, 24 Russell St., Acushnet, at Parting Ways.
Walk through our Christmas display. Gift donations/giving tree. Limited edition Fire/EMS holiday shirt sale. Featuring Santa & Mrs. Claus, sing-along, and cookies & cocoa.
We have partnered with “Christmas Wishes” to support needy families. Consider bringing a new, unwrapped toy to donate!
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Fairhaven
Join the North Fairhaven Improvement Association for the annual lighting of Benoit Square, on Fri., 12/5, at 6:30 p.m., at the intersection of Main St. and Howland Rd., Fairhaven.
The lights will be turned on for the season and we will sing Christmas carols with Mrs. Claus and Friends. And you can even see Santa! Don’t miss this fun kickoff to the holiday season with hot cocoa and Santa’s elves.
New Bedford
The traditional City celebrations kick off a season of fun events in New Bedford, which include AHA! NBFestive on Dec. 11, and the Downtown New Bedford Holiday Stroll on Dec. 13. Expect festive music, live performances and hot chocolate, as well as pop-ups and other unique shopping experiences around the City this season.
The City’s marketing and tourism department, Explore New Bedford, has a holiday season website, explorenewbedford.org/nb-festive, that has a full list of holiday happenings around the City. Check it often for event updates.
Downtown Tree Lighting & Parade
Sat., 12/6, 5–6 p.m., Downtown New Bedford, Pleasant Street in front of Main Library. Join Mayor Jon Mitchell for the annual celebration. At 5 p.m., a parade will march from North Second and William streets to the library steps for the tree lighting.
The parade will feature the New Bedford High School marching band and color guard, Santa and Mrs. Claus, and surprise guests.
The City’s tree was donated by the Brayton family, and the ornaments were made by students from the William H. Taylor Elementary School. This year’s parade has a Dr. Suess theme. The Grinch and Cindy-Lou Who will lead Taylor students in the parade to the library. Remarks at the library by Mayor Mitchell will be followed by a sing-along, which will feature classic holiday songs and some new hits. Song books will be provided.
The large sleigh and reindeer exhibit in lights is on the Pearl Street side of Clasky Common Park in New Bedford as part of the annual holiday light display on 12/11/21. Photo by Beth David.
Clasky Common Park Tree Lighting
Sun., 12/7, 5 p.m., Clasky Common Park, County and Pope Streets. Remarks by Mayor Mitchell. Guest appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus. The New Bedford High School marching band will perform and hot cocoa will be served.
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