2014 Downtown New Bedford Holiday Stroll (Dec 6-7)

The Holiday Stroll weekend will kick off with The “Official” Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving at Custom House Square Park by antique fire truck on Saturday at noon. Santa will “stroll” with his admirers to MARE Studios on Center Street, where he will greet his young friends and pose for free, souvenir photos until 4 pm. At 4:30pm, Santa and Mrs. Claus will join the New Bedford High School and All-City Middle School Marching Bands and Color Guard for a parade up William Street to the Library steps.

At 5pm Mayor Jon Mitchell will welcome all for the City’s official Tree Lighting Ceremony. Joined by Elected Officials and Miss New Bedford. A light show and a few new surprises will also delight you!!

Here us a brief description of what there is to do downtown during “The Stroll”. Downtown events include: Free photos with Santa at Mare’ Studio – craft vendor fairs at the Centre, Craft-O-Rama pop up Gallery, First Unitarian Church, NB Art Museum/ArtWorks!, and in the Whaling Museum lobby. Free children’s craft activities at BCC, the NB Art Museum/ArtWorks!, NB Whaling National Historical Park, and both the YMCA and YWCA. Live entertainment in the Whaling Museum Auditorium, Seaman’s Bethel and Custom House Square Park. – Shop for unusual gifts, special treats and sales at stores, eateries and galleries throughout the downtown. Also on Saturday, from 2 – 4 pm., The Greater New Bedford Coral Society will provide musical blessings and good cheer. Strolling carolers will be led by music director and resident composer, Gerry Dyck. You might want to join in and sing along as they stroll about the Downtown! Look around and cast your vote f0r your favorites in the “Deck the Windows” contest!

On both Saturday and Sunday Downtown merchants and organizations have so much to offer and see. Here is a listing of where to go when you “Stroll” through Downtown New Bedford. Be sure to visit all the following to see what they have to offer at:

• Ahab’s Wife, 761 Purchase St. –unique women’s clothing and specialty items.
  Sat. 10 am – 5 pm, Sun. 12 – 4 pm.
• be jeweled, 26 Centre St. – shop at downtown’s favorite jewelry store and enjoy Hershey’s chocolate kisses as we help you get your Holiday shopping underway!! Sat. 10 am – 7pm, Sun. 12 – 5pm.
• The Bedford Merchant Gift Store, 28 William St. – gifts, jewelry and apparel – join us for hot drinks & cookies and receive a $10 coupon to be used Jan-Feb.’15. Sat. 10 am –7 pm, Sun. 10 am -5 pm.
• Bristol Community College -800 Purchase Street – “Letters to Santa” an opportunity for children (and adults!) to pen a letter to Kris Kringle. Also, additional children’s activities Saturday only 1 pm – 4 pm
• Cafe Arpeggio, 800 Purchase St. – coffee, sandwiches, ice cream –and more. Saturday only 8 am – 6 pm.
• Carter’s Clothing and Footwear, 55 William St. – men’s work and casual clothing including Carhartt, Levi’s, Woolrich, Columbia, Champion, Reebok, Sperry, Timberland and more. Sat. 8:30 am – 5:30 pm. Sun. 11 am-5 pm.
• Celia’s Boutique, 111 William St. Drop by for goodies and warm beverages while you shop. From business basics to special occasion evening wear. Some featured lines are Frank Lyman, Cartise, Christopher Blue, Elliott Lauren, Damme Inc. & more. Sat. 10 am -5 pm. Sun. 12-4 pm.
• The Centre, 230 Union Street – Visit us for Holiday Shopping with vendors, crafters, a bake sale, festivities and more! Saturday only 9 am – 4 pm
• CRAFT-O-RAMA, Corner of Union and Purchase Streets -30 assorted artists and crafters, visit this annual  Holiday Pop-Up-Shop for great goods and holiday sales. Sat. and Sun. 11 am – 6 pm.
• Destination Soup, 149 Union St. – full menu of soups, sandwiches and salads. Free soup samples! Sat. 11:30 am – 9 pm Sunday 11:30 am – 4 pm.
• Duff Gallery, 24 Centre St. -Traditional New England fine art. Exquisite crafts. Distinctive gifts. Holiday Stroll special 10% off prints by Robert Duff. Sat. 10 am – 5 pm. Sun. 12 – 4 pm.
• Dunkin Donuts, 231 Union St. – Come in to warm up with great coffee, hot chocolate, baked goods and sandwiches. Enjoy a Holiday Stroll special $.99 medium hot chocolate! Sat. 4 am-9 pm. Sun. 5 am-8 pm.
• First Unitarian Church, 71 Eighth Street (corner of County & Eighth Sts.) -Annual Holiday Fair, handmade crafts, baked goods, music and more. Saturday only 10 am -4 pm.
• Freestone’s City Grill, 41 William St. –Great food, family and friends, since 1979! Offering local seafood, hand-cut steaks, hearty salads and sandwiches, award winning chowder, the best burgers in town and a great kids menu!!! Sat. 11:30 am -11pm Sun. 12-9 pm.
• Gallery 65 on William, 65 William St. –featuring fine arts and crafts. Saturday 11 am-5 pm – book signing & trunk show with Sandra Hall Sunday 11 am-4 pm – trunk show with Patricia Poineau (Pet Portraits)
• The Landing, 98 Front St. – Free Landing Port of New Bedford T-shirt with a $25. Purchase. 15% off all silver jewelry. Every child gets to pick a treasure from the Treasure Trunk! Refreshments and merriment served both days! Sat. 7 am – 10 pm Sun. 8:30 am – 8:30 pm.
• Mare Studios and Gallery, 27 Centre St. – Be photographed with Santa and receive a free 5 x 7 while you wait. Donations accepted on behalf of the Neediest Family Fund or a canned good for a local pantry. Sat. and Sun. 12 – 4 pm.
• Moby Dick Retail Gift Shop, 27 William St. – nautical gifts, jewelry, apparel and accessories – join us for hot drinks & cookies and receive a $10 coupon to be used Jan-Feb.’15. Sat.10 am – 7pm. Sun 10 am – 5pm.
• Modern Exchange, 185 Union St. – High quality consignment shop featuring new and revived fashions for men, women and children. Sat. 10 am-3 pm. Sun. 11 am to 3 pm.
• New Bedford Art Museum/ArtWorks!, 608 Pleasant St. – Holiday Boutique will be open in our Skylight Gallery both days. On Saturday only, in the lower level we, will have kid’s activity from 11-4 where they can make glitter pine cone Christmas tree ornaments. Sat. and Sun. 12 noon to 5 pm.
• New Bedford Free Public Library steps, 613 Pleasant Street – City’s official Tree Lighting ceremony with Mayor Mitchell, Elected Official, Miss New Bedford and a few new surprises! Saturday beginning about 5 pm.
• New Bedford Whaling Museum, 18 Johnny Cake Hill – Visit the White Whale Gift Shop and a local artisan Vendor Fair in the Jacobs Gallery featuring: ANGELDOR Heavenly Crystal Jewelry -Ava Anderson Non-Toxic – Boston Caricature -Destination Soups – Dorothy Cox Candies -Early Bird Studio – Galleria Gardella – Himalayan Salt Co. – Silverbrook Farms – Soi Dog Foundation – Street Angel Wisdom – Younique Sat. and Sun. 9am – 5pm
• Also Live performances in the Whaling Museum auditorium: Saturday: 1:00 – 2:30 ShowStoppers “A Christmas Cabaret” 3:00 – 4:00 Cheryl McCormack Dancers – Holiday Show.
• New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, 33 William St. – View the Park film “The City that Lit the World” on the hour and ask at the front desk for your own set of Civil War trading cards. On Saturday only, from 2- 4 pm meet Ruth, one of the Park’s 1850s ladies and make your own Holiday pin to take home. Sat. and Sun. 9 am – 5 pm.
• No Problemo, 813 Purchase St. -Mexican style food, full beer and wine menu and great service with a smile!! Sat. 11 am-10 pm. Sun. 12noon – 8 pm.
• Seaman’s Bethel/New Bedford Port Society, 15 Johnny Cake Hill – Historic Church featured in Moby-Dick is open for tours. On Sunday only from 2 – 4 pm. Members of the NEW BEDFORD SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRA will perform classical hits and Holiday favorites. This is a great opportunity to sit, relax, and enjoy beautiful music in a historic setting. Sat. and Sun. 12 noon to 4 p.m.
• Tia Maria’s European Café, 42 No. Water St –Join us Saturday from10 am – 12 noon for two great attractions: the “Portuguese Kids” pop up shop for all your holiday needs! You will have an opportunity to meet the funny men themselves, have some laughs, shop local and buy a unique, personalized gift such as t-shirts, CDs, key chains, charms and more! Also joining the fun, Maria Lawton, also known as the Azorean Green Bean, will be here for a meet & greet/signing with her best-selling book, Azorean Cooking: From MyFamily Table to Your’s, a collection of more than 50 recipes celebrating the traditions of Azorean cooking, culture, and family. Sunday, we will be serving breakfast until 1PM and will have sweet treats available for anyone wearing their favorite Christmas sweater. Saturday 7:30 am -9:30 pm – Sunday 7:30 am – 1pm
• TL6 the Gallery, 100 William St. – Stop in to try a sample of jellies by Sprig as well as homemade cookies by Just Like Mom’s while shopping our wide selection of handmade gifts and artwork. Saturday only features artist of the month Michael Vincent Bushy doing demonstrations of book binding and showing his works. Sat. 11 am – 6 pm. Sun. 12 – 4 pm.
• Travessia Winery, 760 Purchase St. –our own Urban winery featuring authentic and hand crafted wines On Sunday only from 12 – 5, Shy Brothers Farm will be offering a taste of their hand-made local cheeses. These award winning cheeses will also be available for visitors to purchase along with our own wines. Sat. 12-8 pm. Sun. 12-5pm.
• The University Art Gallery – Star Store, 715 Purchase St. – Annu Palakunnathu Matthew: An Indian from India. Exhibits are free and open to the public. Sat. and Sun. 9 am – 6 pm.
• YMCA – 25 So. Water St – Warm up in our lobby and enjoy hot chocolate and a craft activity-Sat, 11 am – 4 pm Sun. 11 am – 2 pm.
• YWCA of SE Mass. , 20 So. Sixth St. – Craft activity both days that includes decorating pine cones and snowflakes. Will also have cookies and hot chocolate. Sat. and Sun. 12 noon – 4 pm.
• Antique Fire Truck rides will bring you around the downtown. All this and much more! Free parking!
• Custom House Square Park – Santa arrives on Saturday at 12 noon by antique fire truck. Also look for periodic visits from some of our animal residents from the Buttonwood Park Zoo.   They will be greeting and educating visitors along with our zoo staff with this up close and personal experience.  The Holidays are a perfect time to enjoy family and nature.  The Buttonwood Park Zoo wishes all a Happy Holiday Season! Saturday and Sunday – periodically between 12 and 4:00 pm. Also visit the display and talk to Reps from New Bedford Energy Now and Next Step Living. Saturday and Sunday – 12 – 4:00 pm.