Moby-Dick Marathon 2027

A diverse group of people sitting on the wooden deck of the Lagoda, the half-scale model whaling ship at the New Bedford Whaling Museum, intently reading books. In the foreground, a person wearing a knit cap and glasses holds an open book, while others are gathered nearby on the deck, creating a quiet, contemplative atmosphere in the historic ship setting.

Embark on an unforgettable literary voyage at the New Bedford Whaling Museum!

January 8-10th, 2027

a man with graying hair and glasses, speaking passionately at a podium, his right arm raised in a clenched fist. He is wearing a dark, textured zip-up sweater over a gray shirt.

Moby-Dick Marathon 2027

Embark on an unforgettable literary voyage at the New Bedford Whaling Museum!

January 8-10th, 2027

A candid view looking down at a group of people sitting and lying on the wooden deck of the Lagoda model whaling ship, participating in a communal reading of Moby-Dick. In the foreground, a woman in a green beanie and glasses works with her hands, while a man lies on his back beside her, holding an open book up to read. Others are scattered around the deck in similar relaxed positions, absorbed in their books.

Moby-Dick Marathon 2027

Embark on an unforgettable literary voyage at the New Bedford Whaling Museum!

January 8-10th, 2027

Reverend Lima, seen from behind, addressing a large, diverse congregation gathered inside the historic Seamen's Bethel in New Bedford. The attendees are standing throughout the sanctuary, many holding programs, while a large, golden clock hangs on the wall above the pulpit in the background.

Moby-Dick Marathon 2027

Embark on an unforgettable literary voyage at the New Bedford Whaling Museum!

January 8-10th, 2027

A candid shot of a group of people sitting in rows, intently reading copies of "Moby Dick" during an event. In the foreground, a woman rests her chin on her hand while looking down at her book, with others beside her and behind her similarly engaged in reading. The setting is a well-lit hall decorated with string lights.

Moby-Dick Marathon 2027

Embark on an unforgettable literary voyage at the New Bedford Whaling Museum!

January 8-10th, 2027

Actor Steven Weber stands at a wooden podium, reading aloud to a large, attentive audience gathered in a hall at the New Bedford Whaling Museum. A projector screen in the background indicates this is "Reader 278" for "Chapter 135," part of a communal Moby-Dick reading event. The audience members, seated in rows, follow along in their own copies of the book.

Moby-Dick Marathon 2027

Embark on an unforgettable literary voyage at the New Bedford Whaling Museum!

January 8-10th, 2027

Join us in celebrating the 31st annual Moby-Dick Marathon, the Museum’s world-renowned tribute to Herman Melville’s epic tale of obsession, adventure, and the sea. Each January, readers and Melville enthusiasts from around the globe gather in New Bedford—the very port where Melville himself once set sail—to take part in a 25-hour, cover-to-cover reading of Moby-Dick.

This extraordinary event transforms the Museum into a stage for literature, history, and community. Visitors can immerse themselves in Melville-inspired programs, including thought-provoking conversations with scholars, dramatic performances, hands-on activities for all ages, and behind-the-scenes experiences that bring Melville’s world vividly to life.

The Marathon commemorates Melville’s 1841 departure aboard the whaleship Acushnet—the journey that would inspire one of America’s greatest novels. Thirty years on, the celebration continues to grow, uniting generations of readers, performers, and maritime enthusiasts in a shared quest for the elusive white whale.

Download the Museum Guide through Bloomberg Connects
to hear a tour by the Melville Scholars.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 8

Ticketed Events
Bundle at $150 General Public | $125 Members, or stand-alone as follows:

12:30 PM
Film Screening: Moby Dick (1956) – Cook Memorial Theater
Gregory Peck stars as Captain Ahab in John Huston’s classic film adaptation. Screening followed by brief welcome remarks.
$10 General Public | $5 Members

5:00–5:30 PM
Chapter 40 Reenactment: “Midnight, Forecastle” – Cook Memorial Theater
Live half-hour performance bringing Melville’s iconic chapter to life.
$25 General Public | $12.50 Members

5:30–6:30 PM
Cocktail Reception - Jacobs Family Gallery
Play ticket holders and dinner ticket holders may attend.
Included with Chapter 40 ticket or dinner ticket – not available as stand-alone

6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Evening Lecture & Dinner – Harbor View Gallery
$125 General Public | $100 Members (includes dinner below)

The Melville Society and the New Bedford Whaling Museum Present: Author Jonathan A. Cook

Cook has a B.A. from Harvard College and a Ph.D. from Columbia University and lives in Charlottesville, Virginia. He is the author of Satirical Apocalypse: An Anatomy of Melville’s “The Confidence Man” (1996); Inscrutable Malice: Theodicy, Eschatology, and the Biblical Sources of “Moby-Dick” (2012); and Neither Believer nor Infidel: Skepticism and Faith in Melville’s Shorter Fiction and Poetry (2023); and he is co-editor of Visionary of the Word: Melville and Religion (2017). He has published over fifty articles and book chapters on Melville, Hawthorne, Poe, and other nineteenth-century American writers. He maintains a website at jonathanalexandercook.com. He can be heard playing guitar and mandolin at two Irish sessions in Charlottesville.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 9

8:00 AM Museum Opens

9:30 AM
Stump the Scholars | Cook Memorial Theater (Lower Level)
Submit your questions to Melville experts and try to stump them. Hosted by Marina Wells. Special pins for successful stumpers.

11:25 AM
Moby-Dick Extracts: A Whaling Voyage Around the World | Bourne Building (Main Level)
Melville Society scholars read selected passages. VIP readers seated near the podium.

12:00 Noon
Start of the 25-Hour Marathon | Bourne Building (Main Level)
Begins at the stern of the Lagoda with “Call me Ishmael.” Guest readers continue through Chapter 6.

1:30 PMDM – Turner Gallery
Portuguese-language adaptation by Tiago Patrício. Reading from 2:00–6:00 PM

1:30 PM
Father Mapple’s Sermon | Seamen’s Bethel & Harbor View Gallery (Upper Level)
Wristband required for in-person seating (assigned via lottery). Livestream available in the Gallery. Hymn sheets provided.

2:10 PM
Main Marathon Continues | Harbor View Gallery (Upper Level)

2:30 PM
Chat with Melville Scholars | Research Library (Main Level)
Informal roundtable discussion.

4:00–5:00 PM
Meet & Greet with Jennifer Long (Whale Guitar) | Jacobs Family Gallery (L)
Meet & Greet artist Jennifer Long and get insights into the making of the Whale Guitar.

6:30 PM – THIS IS TENTATIVE WITH DETAILS STILL TO BE DETERMINED
Cousin Hosea’s Chowder Hall & Decanter Taproom |
Complimentary chowder available at adjacent partner locations, while supplies last.

7:30 PM
Screening of Midnight on the Forecastle (Chapter 40) | Screening in the Cook Memorial Theater + additional locations throughout the Museum.

8:00 PM
Start of Overnight Marathon Reading | Cook Memorial Theater (Lower Level)
Overnight reading continues in 5-minute reader slots.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 10

8:00 AM
The 20th-Hour Treat |
Complimentary coffee and malassadas while supplies last.

8:00 AM
Marathon Relocates | Harbor View Gallery (Upper Level)
Final leg of the Marathon.

9:30 AM
Chat with Melville Scholars | Research Library (Main Level)
Final opportunity for informal discussion.

1:00 PM
Marathon Concludes | Harbor View Gallery (Upper Level)
Museum remains open to the public until 5:00 PM.

2:00 PM

In the Whale film screening