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Christmas with kids in New Bedford
In New Bedford, Christmas begins with a parade up William Street to the steps of the public library. A marching band, Santa and Mrs. Claus lead families to a tree lighting where free hot chocolate is served.
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The story of Christmas in New Bedford
How New Bedford celebrates
New Bedford celebrates in the first weekend or two of December. The city's downtown Christmas tree lighting is held on Pleasant Street in front of the library, preceded by a parade from the bottom of William Street with the high school marching band, color guard, Santa and Mrs. Claus. The next evening a second tree lighting takes place at Clasky Common Park. In between, downtown businesses host a Holiday Stroll with carolers, crafts, story time and antique fire truck rides. Both lightings have collected toys for a United Way toy drive.
Christmas last year in New Bedford
In 2025 the city's parade and tree lighting took place on Saturday, December 6, at 5 p.m. at the New Bedford Public Library, with music and carols. Santa and Mrs. Claus visited the Clasky Common tree lighting on Sunday, December 7. The downtown holiday stroll followed on Saturday, December 13, from noon to 5 p.m., with two hours of free parking. Families could also see A New England Nutcracker, with tickets from $15, and the New Bedford Holiday Pops on December 14. A European-style Christmas market ran on December 7.
Fun facts about Christmas in New Bedford
At the downtown tree lighting, free hot chocolate is served by local community groups. The Holiday Stroll has included a puppeteer meet-and-greet and a bike parade, plus a chance to spot Santa around downtown. Some stops are inside historic spaces such as the Whaling Museum and the Fishing Heritage Center. Nearby, Dartmouth's Padanaram Holiday Stroll ends with the lighting of a Buoy Tree at sunset, a very New England twist on the Christmas tree.
Trains and Christmas near New Bedford
Families near New Bedford can chase trains in a few directions. The Old Colony & Fall River Railroad Museum in Fall River is best known for a model railroad with over 240 feet of track, where kids explore the scenery like a game of I Spy. It opens only on select dates. Farther north, Edaville in Carver is a holiday festival built on a two-foot gauge line that first carried cranberries in 1947. On Cape Cod, Cape Cod Central Railroad runs excursions from Hyannis.
- Old Colony & Fall River Railroad Museum: A model railroad with over 240 feet of track that kids explore like a game of I Spy; open on select dates.
- Edaville: A holiday festival on a two-foot gauge railroad that first carried cranberries in 1947.
- Cape Cod Central Railroad: A heritage railroad running narrated excursions from Hyannis and Buzzards Bay.
Traditions today
- Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting: A parade up William Street with a marching band, Santa and Mrs. Claus ends at the library for songs, speeches and free hot chocolate.
- Clasky Common Park Tree Lighting: The next evening, a school chorus sings and Santa and Mrs. Claus visit this neighborhood park.
- Downtown Holiday Stroll: Carolers, crafts, story time, fire truck rides and Santa sightings across downtown New Bedford.
- A New England Nutcracker: A December ballet performance in New Bedford, with tickets from $15 in 2025.
- Padanaram Holiday Stroll: A nearby Dartmouth stroll with Santa and a Buoy Tree lighting at sunset.
- Christmas on County: A December evening at the Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum, listed in the 2025 guide.
A fact for kids
Near New Bedford, one Christmas tree is made of buoys. In Padanaram, a holiday stroll ends at sunset with the lighting of the Buoy Tree.
Questions about Christmas in New Bedford
How does New Bedford celebrate Christmas?
New Bedford celebrates with a downtown parade and tree lighting at the public library, a second tree lighting at Clasky Common Park and a Holiday Stroll with carolers, crafts and Santa sightings. Holiday concerts and a Nutcracker ballet round out the season. Most main events fall in the first two weekends of December.
When is the New Bedford tree lighting usually held?
In 2025 the downtown parade and tree lighting were held on Saturday, December 6, at 5 p.m. at the New Bedford Public Library, and the Clasky Common lighting followed on Sunday, December 7. For this year's dates, see our New Bedford Christmas events guide on this page.
Where does the New Bedford Christmas parade go?
The parade winds up William Street to the New Bedford Public Library on Purchase Street, where the tree lighting follows. In another year's schedule it started at 4:30 p.m. from the bottom of William Street, with the high school marching band, color guard, Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Is there free hot chocolate at the tree lighting?
Yes. In past years, free hot chocolate was offered at the downtown tree lighting by community groups, along with speeches by city leaders and holiday songs. The lightings also collected unwrapped gifts for a United Way toy drive. Check this year's announcement for the exact offerings.
What is the Downtown Holiday Stroll?
It is a December afternoon in downtown New Bedford with carolers, crafts, story time, antique fire truck rides, a vendor market and Santa sightings. In 2025 the dNB Holiday Stroll ran from noon to 5 p.m. on December 13 with two hours of free parking downtown and in the North End.
Where can kids meet Santa in New Bedford?
Santa and Mrs. Claus appeared at the downtown parade and at the Clasky Common Park tree lighting in past years, and Santa was spotted around downtown during the Holiday Stroll. Nearby, Padanaram and Middleboro also hosted Santa in 2025. See our New Bedford Christmas events guide on this page for this season.
What is Clasky Common Park?
Clasky Common Park, at County and Pope Streets, hosts the city's second tree lighting. It features remarks from the mayor, songs from a school chorus, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. In 2025 it was held at 5 p.m. on Sunday, December 7, the evening after the library lighting.
Is there a Nutcracker in New Bedford?
Yes. In 2025, A New England Nutcracker was staged at Keith Middle School at 1 and 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 13, with tickets starting at $15. Check our New Bedford Christmas events guide on this page for this year's performances before planning a family outing.
What happens at the New Bedford Holiday Pops?
The New Bedford Holiday Pops is a seasonal concert held at the Bronspiegel Auditorium. In 2025 it had a 3:30 p.m. matinee and a 7 p.m. show on Sunday, December 14, with tickets starting at $30. The earlier matinee may suit younger children better, but check the listing for details.
What did the Holiday Stroll offer kids in the past?
Past strolls included antique fire truck rides, carolers, story time, crafts, a puppeteer meet-and-greet and a bike parade. Several downtown spots took part, including the Whaling Museum, the Fishing Heritage Center and the YWCA. Schedules change from year to year, so check the latest listing.
Does it snow in New Bedford at Christmas?
It can. New Bedford is on the Massachusetts coast, where December brings cold air and sometimes snow, so families dress warmly for the evening tree lightings and strolls. Bring hats, gloves and boots, because parades and lightings happen outdoors after sunset.
What is the Buoy Tree in Padanaram?
The Buoy Tree is a Christmas tree made of buoys in Padanaram village in nearby Dartmouth. In 2025 the Padanaram Holiday Stroll ran from 4 to 8 p.m. on December 5, with Santa appearing before the Buoy Tree illumination at sunset. It is a coastal twist on the usual tree.
Are New Bedford Christmas events good for toddlers?
Many are. The Holiday Stroll has story time, crafts and fire truck rides, and the tree lightings have songs and free hot chocolate. Bring a stroller, warm layers and a snack, and arrive early for a spot near the library steps, since families gather outdoors in the evening.
What is Christmas on County?
Christmas on County was a 4 to 6 p.m. event on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at the Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum. The guide listed no further details, so check the museum's website for this season's programs before you plan a visit with children.
Is there a Christmas market in New Bedford?
In 2025 a European-style Christmas market ran on Sunday, December 7, from 2 to 7 p.m. at 50 Madeira Avenue. We have not confirmed this year's market, so check our New Bedford Christmas events guide on this page, which lists confirmed events.
How can I explain the tree lighting to a young child?
Tell them that the city gathers at dusk to sing holiday songs and watch the tree light up. Santa and Mrs. Claus come to say hello, and there may be hot chocolate. Let kids hold a mitten-warmed cup and help count backward from ten as the lights come on.
Where can kids see trains near New Bedford?
The Old Colony & Fall River Railroad Museum in Fall River has a model railroad with over 240 feet of track and opens only on select dates. Edaville in Carver runs a holiday festival on a two-foot gauge railroad. Cape Cod Central Railroad runs excursions from Hyannis and Buzzards Bay.
What is the history of Edaville?
Edaville is built around the Edaville Railroad, a two-foot gauge line that first carried cranberries in 1947. It has since become a holiday festival in Carver, Massachusetts, where general admission includes a train ride on the Holiday Express. Check ahead for dates and tickets if you plan a visit.
Are the New Bedford Christmas lightings free?
The tree lightings and the Holiday Stroll have been open to the public, and free hot chocolate was offered at the downtown lighting. The 2025 guide listed prices only for ticketed shows, such as the Nutcracker and Holiday Pops. See our New Bedford Christmas events guide on this page for current details.
What makes Christmas in New Bedford different from other cities?
New Bedford combines a parade to its public library, a second lighting at a neighborhood park and a stroll through historic downtown spots such as the Whaling Museum. A short drive away, the Padanaram Holiday Stroll ends with the lighting of a Buoy Tree, a coastal twist on the usual Christmas tree.
Sources
- Greater New Bedford 2025 holiday events, AOL / local newspaper
- Tree Lightings, Downtown Stroll to Highlight Festive Weekend in New Bedford, City of New Bedford
- City of New Bedford Kicks off the Holiday Season, City of New Bedford
- Old Colony & Fall River Railroad Museum, Rally Takes the Train
- Edaville, Rally Takes the Train
- Cape Cod Central Railroad, Rally Takes the Train