Step back in time—and into the present—at this month’s AHA! Night as the Museum brings The New Whaler Bookshop to life in the Jacobs Family Gallery. Originally designed to travel, the bookshop will make a short journey from its current location in the Wattles Gallery, where it is featured as part of the Lighting the Way: SouthCoast Women’s Lives, Labors, Loves exhibition.

UMass Dartmouth Ecology students present their capstone projects on the biggest emerging issues expected to impact marine and coastal biodiversity conservation in the near future. Additionally, artist Katy Rodden Walker will showcase exhibition titled “Community BLOOMS” with a special program.

Celebrate love, friendship, and everything in between with a fun and free Valentine’s program at the New Bedford Whaling Museum! Whether you’re sharing the day with a partner, your besties, or flying solo, we’ve got something for everyone to enjoy.

Join us for an encore performance of this silent film screening accompanied by live music! “Down to the Sea in Ships” is a 1922 American romantic drama, directed by Elmer Clifton. In this silent film, whalers go harpooning, leaving a Quaker maiden behind in 19th-century New Bedford, MA. Musical score will be performed live by pianist Jennifer A. Maxwell.

We’re thrilled to present a special edition performance by Jason Smith’s band, The Hot Club Cheese Roll (HCCR) sextet. Get ready to dust off your dancing shoes for a toe-tapping, stylish evening of music that combines timeless jazz standards with an irresistible rhythm!

The Moonbellies deliver an entertaining mix of original music, Americana, Old-Time, Québécois, Irish, and Cajun tunes, blending charm, charisma, and exceptional talent.

During Women’s History Month, this Local History Guild program will focus on the underexplored histories of women of the South Coast, specifically in New Bedford and Fairhaven. Three speakers will explore how women actively shaped and improved their communities during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

Join us for a special screening of Malassada Day followed by a panel discussion with Director Dante Bellini and special guests Maria Lawton and Michael Benevides. Part of the Portuguese Lusophone Lecture Series.

One of the world’s best known live readings of Herman Melville’s iconic American novel Moby-Dick takes place every January at the New Bedford Whaling Museum. The Moby-Dick Marathon draws readers and enthusiasts from around the globe to the Museum’s campus and to viewing online.

Embark on an unforgettable journey to the Arctic with Captain Graham McKay, master boatbuilder and director of Lowell’s Boat Shop. This captivating evening will transport you aboard the historic schooner Bowdoin, exploring its storied past and its most recent voyage to the ice-choked waters of Greenland and the Arctic Circle.

Did you know that a women scientist is behind the world’s most comprehensive blue whale database? Learn more about Dr. Diane Gendron’s research and blue whales in general by watching for FREE our Blue Whales: Return of the Giants 3D film before it leaves the New Bedford Whaling Museum on March 17th.

The New Bedford Whaling Museum welcomes UMass Dartmouth Biology seniors who’ll be presenting their capstone projects on the biggest emerging issues expected to impact marine and coastal biodiversity conservation in the near future.

You’re invited to the AHA! birthday bash! Expect music, art, community, and more as AHA! celebrates its 25th Anniversary.

For AHA! PRIDE, the New Bedford Whaling Museum invites you to go on a scavenger hunt for rainbow whales. Start at the Museum and then venture out to discover the rainbow whales as well as all that Downtown New Bedford has to offer.

For AHA! Kids Rule, the New Bedford Whaling Museum invites you “Into the Wider World” for fun hands-on activities and experiences, a short animated film, and more!

Join the New Bedford Whaling Museum for the October AHA! Program, where we’re inviting fossil enthusiasts of all ages to share their most prized finds and the stories behind them.

A stunning look at David Zapatka photography, documenting America’s historic lighthouses in a way seldom seen: in the dark of night.

AHA! We HeART NB at the New Bedford Whaling Museum with an immersive art and music experience, amid the Framing the Domestic Sea exhibition.

Courtney M. Leonard (Shinnecock, b.1980) is a multi-media installation artist, ceramicist, and filmmaker, who has contributed to the Offshore Art movement. Leonard’s current work embodies the multiple definitions of “breach”, an exploration and documentation of historical ties to water, whale and material sustainability.

Come celebrate Independence Day with the New Bedford Whaling Museum, from our Harbor View Gallery! This 21+ afterhours night out, features access to all museum galleries, followed by a cocktail party with the best harbor view in the city!

Musician Joaquin Santos and The Dope Lotus are known for their distinctive soulful vocals, tight funky grooves, and poetic authenticity to their musical story.

Sip, stroll, and sketch at the New Bedford Whaling Museum during our next First Friday. You are encouraged to sketch something tactile inspired the Wider World and Scrimshaw exhibitions, or other collections, or simply let your imagination run wild. Cash bar and lite bites available for this 21+ event.

The Spindle Rock River Rats’ repertoire is an eclectic blend of music genres, that includes bluegrass, gospel, sea shanties, old-time fiddle tunes, folk and blues.

Fire up your winter season with internationally renowned djembefola Sidy Maiga and steel pannist Becky Bass. Between performances, experience the joy of learning some drum beats from the djembe master himself, alongside other curious learners.

The Zunzún Trio has an exciting rapport, ranging from modern jazz to Afro- Caribbean rhythms. They will bring original pieces to music by Thelonious Monk and Bebo Valdés.

Back by popular demand, Aoife Clancy and Eddie Dillion will return to the music with Celtic and Americana music.

“A passionate and powerful blend of infectious Americana melodies and folky instrumentation, Matthews delivers her honest songwriting through a beautifully raw and unfiltered lens. Oozing soul, her voice bleeds with emotion and gratitude, while simple piano melodies and upbeat percussion fill you with appreciation and love for the people around us who fight for change.” — Ear Milk

Celebrate National Authors’ Day at the New Bedford Whaling Museum. A day packed full of literary delights, in appreciation of the authors that spent countless hours writing our favorite books!

The Moonbellies perform an entertaining mix of originals, Americana, Old-time, Quebecois, Irish and Cajun music.

Join Dr. Naomi Slipp, Dr. Rachel Stephens, and Dr. Renée Ater, for an important conversation about the power of sculpture in public spaces and institutions, the legacies of white supremacy and histories of enslavement, and the landscape of commemoration in the United States.

Join us for an exciting Local History Guild conversation with New Bedford artist Carl Simmons and photography historian Jesse Dritz. Simmons will discuss how he composes New Bedford views, juxtaposing historic photographs by Lewis Hine with views from today.

A conversation with Ymelda Rivera Laxton and multi-disciplinary artist and curator Cora-Allan Lafaiki Twiss (Niuean/Maori) about a Niuean barkcloth in the NBWM collection and Twiss’ journey as a contemporary practitioner of Hiapo.

Virtual discussion focusing on the complex human relationships with seals over millennia and how that’s changed in a variety of ways over the past 4,000 years and continues to evolve as seals rebound in our region.

The Sailors’ Series is an annual program that presents a wide variety of experiences and adventures by individuals with lifelong commitments to sailing, boats, and the sea.

Duncan Simpson, PhD presents a lecture on “Portuguese Society and Salazar’s Political Police (PIDE) Before and After the Revolution of 25 April 1974.” The lecture will be followed by a panel discussion and lite reception.

Katherine Vaz will discuss her novel ABOVE THE SALT, a labor of love over fifteen years in the making, a fictional account drawing upon the true story of the Madeiran refugees who were adopted by Illinois in the era of the Civil War.

The lecture will focus on the descendants of Portuguese on the East Coast of Sri Lanka, called “Portuguese Burghers” in Sri Lanka, who have lived in mixed communities near forts at Batticaloa and Trincomalee since the early 1600s. We will hear field recordings of performances of music and folk verse in creole Portuguese with illustrations of the community.

Together we can make an impact! Join in the fun and repurpose single-use plastics by creating a plastic jellyfish to bring home or donate to the New Bedford Whaling Museum’s upcoming Community Blooms exhibition by artist Katy Rodden Walker.

Together we can make an impact! Join in the fun and repurpose single-use plastics by creating a plastic jellyfish to bring home or donate to the New Bedford Whaling Museum’s upcoming Community Blooms exhibition by artist Katy Rodden Walker.

Together we can make an impact! Join in the fun and repurpose single-use plastics by creating a plastic jellyfish to bring home or donate to the New Bedford Whaling Museum’s upcoming Community Blooms exhibition by artist Katy Rodden Walker.

Together we can make an impact! Join in the fun and repurpose single-use plastics by creating a plastic jellyfish to bring home or donate to the New Bedford Whaling Museum’s upcoming Community Blooms exhibition by artist Katy Rodden Walker.

Join the New Bedford Whaling Museum on Thursday, February 9 and say “Forever Yours” with a color-your-own greeting card based on a Sailor’s Valentine.

Enjoy the museum afterhours, margaritas under the whale bones, traditional music of Mexico, and a participatory art project inspired by Mexico’s most iconic figures Frida Kahlo & Diego Rivera.

Come for the listening hour to enjoy traditional music of the Cape Verde Islands (Morna) and of Portugal (Fado), then stay for the cocktail social and access to the entire museum afterhours – a Good Friday indeed!

First Friday featuring internationally renowned djembefola Sidy Maiga and köra player Yacouba Diabaté. After the listening hour, experience the joy of learning some drum beats from the djembe master himself, alongside other curious learners on drums that he’ll provide.

Join us for the next First Friday, on Friday, July 7, for an after-hours immersive evening of spoken word within our latest exhibitions “A singularly marine & fabulous produce: the Cultures of Seaweed” (Wattles Gallery) and “Now and Soon & Somehow Forever” (Center Street Gallery). Poetry in art and art in poetry!

Join us for our September First Friday and enjoy the museum after-hours with renown violinist Mark Russell, who will be strolling through gallery spaces to enhance your audio visual experience from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Complimentary lite bites and a cash bar will be available.

Join us at the Whaling Museum for the first Friday in August, as we continue our music journey around the world, featuring Celtic music with Aoife Clancy and Eddie Dillion.

Join us for October’s First Friday and enjoy the local sounds of DJ Andrew “Anj” Kepinski, who will be stationed upstairs amongst our main level galleries to enhance your experience until 8:00 PM. Complimentary lite bites and a cash bar will be available.

One of the world’s best known live readings of Herman Melville’s iconic American novel Moby-Dick takes place every January at the New Bedford Whaling Museum. The Moby-Dick Marathon draws readers and enthusiasts from around the globe to the Museum’s campus and to the reading online.

The Sailors’ Series is an annual program that presents a wide variety of experiences and adventures by individuals with lifelong commitments to sailing, boats, and the sea.

The Sailors’ Series is an annual program that presents a wide variety of experiences and adventures by individuals with lifelong commitments to sailing, boats, and the sea.

Join informal conversations with experts, aficionados, librarians, archivists, curators, historic preservation specialists, historians, and collectors.

Join us on Thursday, November 2 at the New Bedford Whaling Museum for an enriching evening dedicated to Lusophone culture and heritage, featuring the popular Maria Lawton – Author, Host, and Producer of the award-winning PBS series Maria’s Portuguese Table.

Join us for a special evening – a combination of lecture and live music – featuring lecturer Manuel F. Costa, Jr., the Director of the Regional Museum of Pico, with his son Francisco Costa for the music portion of the evening.

The Portuguese & Lusophone-world Lecture Series presents: The Portuguese and Cod Fishing in the Northwest Atlantic, a Legendary Heritage with Álvaro Garrido.

Sailors’ Series The Sailors’ Series illustrated lectures present a wide variety of experiences and adventures by individuals with lifelong commitments to sailing, boats, and the sea. Supported by Ruth and Hope Atkinson Supported in part by Th …