Interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities? Join us for an information session on Wednesday, October 8th at 10:30 am. This session will include an overview of the volunteer program and different opportunities, as well as a chance to meet and participate in short tours of the museum with current volunteers.

An evening of music, creativity, and family fun at the Whaling Museum! October’s AHA! Night is all about celebrating community with playful activities, hands-on artmaking, and festive treats. From scavenger hunts to limbo challenges to a colorful kite-making workshop, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Join the Moby-Dick Book Club, a virtual three-part series exploring Herman Melville’s iconic American novel. Whether you’re reading it for the first time or returning to it with fresh eyes, all are welcome to take part in engaging, thought-provoking conversations led by some of the world’s leading Melville scholars.

Join leading Cape Verdean-descended contemporary artists and scholars working in the field and museums to hear about how cultural identity and other intersectional identities are expressed various media of artmaking.

The Climate Future Film Festival, founded by Jim Stahl, delves into the artistic and human responses to the climate crisis and the paths that may lie ahead. The festival promises a thought-provoking program that highlights the power of storytelling in addressing one of the most pressing issues of our time.

An extraordinary evening with renowned climate author and activist Bill McKibben! In his keynote Solar, Society, and the Shifting Climate, McKibben illuminates the promise of renewable energy, the fight for climate justice, and the power of collective action—blending urgent science, inspiring stories, and practical solutions.

Dive into a Halloween-themed afternoon at the Whaling Museum, where maritime history meets spooky fun! Discover the “monsters”—for centuries sailors returned from the sea with tales of terrifying creatures lurking in the deep.

Professors Daniela Melo and Timothy Walker will present highlights from their new scholarly edition of Wilfred Burchett’s writing on Portugal’s 1974 “Carnation” Revolution—published in English for the first time by Verso Books (UK).

Join the New Bedford Whaling Museum for a day trip to the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA. Enjoy two private, curator-led tours of exhibitions selected by our Chief Curator, plus free time to explore the museum, have lunch, and visit Salem.

A genre-bending night of music led by punk cellist and Berklee grad Ian Legge. The evening features dynamic string arrangements, a family jam session, and a full-blown punk show celebrating the release of Arrangements Vol. I—his debut album of punk covers reimagined for strings and band.

In just four years, the Community Boating Center’s OffShore team has sailed over 7,500 nautical miles with 150 young sailors, building confidence, skills, and community. This summer, they faced their biggest challenge yet—competing in the Marblehead to Halifax International Race—and returned home with a division win. Now, team members will share their stories of resilience, teamwork, and unforgettable moments as they set their sights on the 2026 Newport to Bermuda Race.

Join leading archivists and genealogical researchers as they describe personal journeys to trace their ancestral roots and share useful tools and fruitful avenues for conducting your own genealogical research.

This November, Yo-Yo Ma will perform Bach’s complete suites for solo cello for the first time in one evening at home, in Boston. It’s music that he has offered to communities on all six continents, in moments of joy and in times of tragedy. For him it exemplifies how culture helps us to seek truth, build trust, and act in service.

Join leading Cape Verdean-descended contemporary musicians, and scholars of music history to learn about how Cape Verdean music from the islands influenced Cape Verdean American music in Southern New England.

Local History Guild is the NBWM’s quarterly Zoom program, an informal discussion about art, history, science and culture related to the museum mission, collection, and the surrounding region. This December, staff from the museum’s Curatorial Department will present on their “Favorite Things”!

Celebrate the spirit of the season at the Whaling Museum’s final First Friday of the year: Winter Brass – A Festive First Friday. This special evening features a live performance by the high-energy Southcoast Brass Band, guaranteed to bring bold holiday cheer with their New Orleans-inspired sound.

Gather the kids—and kids at heart—and celebrate New Year’s Eve with us at the New Bedford Whaling Museum! The lively Toe Jam Puppet Band will be in the Jacobs Family Gallery, bringing the family-friendly party to life with interactive silly songs, dancing, and fun for all ages

Each January, the New Bedford Whaling Museum hosts one of the world’s most celebrated live readings of Herman Melville’s iconic American novel, Moby-Dick. The annual Moby-Dick Marathon draws readers and enthusiasts from around the globe—both to the Museum’s campus and online—to share in this remarkable literary tradition.

Embark on a very special trip to Madeira with fellow Museum Member and special guest travel host Maria Lawton! Experience the island’s vibrant culture, unforgettable cuisine, and breathtaking landscapes.