It’s Time Travel Week at the Museum! Enjoy themed crafts, hands-on activities, storytime, the inflatable whale, and special afternoon movies. Visit the page for daily schedules.

When wily Captain Barbossa steals Jack Sparrow’s ship and kidnaps the governor’s beautiful daughter, Elizabeth, her childhood friend Will Turner joins forces with Jack to save her and recapture Jack’s ship, the Black Pearl.

When she inherits a kingdom of mythical sea creatures, an awkward teen must somehow learn to deal with her newfound powers and save the world from evil.

Disney and Pixar’s “Luca” follows a young boy’s unforgettable summer on the Italian Riviera. Luca and his friend Alberto share adventures while hiding a dangerous secret: they are actually sea monsters from a world below the water’s surface.

Sea captain Kermit the Frog sets sail in search of treasure. But one crew member wants the bounty for himself — and it’s Long John Silver in disguise!

A group of misfit children discovers a pirate’s treasure map and embarks on a journey to find the riches in this beloved 1980s classic.

Author Jeff Fuhrer talks about his book The Myth That Made Us, exploring how systemic racism and economic injustice intersect in the United States – and what we can do about it.

Experience the infectious rhythms of Latin Jazz on First Friday, March 6, 2026, with Latin Jazz Night: Salsa & Social Dance. Featuring Jesús Andujar y Su Grupo Sazón, this high-energy six-piece orchestra will fill the Harbor View Gallery with Salsa, Cha Cha, Merengue, and Latin Jazz

Join us in conversation with Magda C. Leon, a Guatemalan-born multidisciplinary artist based in Providence, RI, and focused in printmaking, installation, and social practice art. Leon is currently working on a multi-year community focused exhibition project opening at the Whaling Museum in 2027.

Discover photography’s impact in this unique course combining six virtual sessions with a hands-on workshop at the Museum. Learn from experts using the vast NBWM photography collection to explore how the medium transformed the world.

In honor of the Revolutionary War’s 250th anniversary, local historians are uncovering fresh stories from Old Dartmouth. This March, join our virtual program to explore new research on the 1770s and 1780s in Westport, Dartmouth, New Bedford, Fairhaven, and Acushnet.

Navy Day offers a full schedule of fun and educational opportunities for the public to experience the Navy’s role in environmental preservation, marine mammal protection, and underwater research, as well as the Museum’s extensive historical collection.

Writer Eric Jay Dolin in Rebels at Sea considers how a rag-tag fleet of Revolutionary War privateers helped us win the war and reveal the new nation’s ambitious, entrepreneurial character.

Learn about art, history, science, and culture with activities designed for homeschool families! General admission includes access to museum exhibits and activities like the Inflatable Whale, Lagoda Below Deck, and other guided stations around the museum.

Known for their deep rhythmic sensibility and collaborative spirit, Texas Street Revival balances tight arrangements with moments of improvisation, creating music that feels both intentional and expansive.

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.

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.

In Entangled Lives, author Marla R. Miller examines women’s work in rural post-Revolutionary Massachusetts, revealing the gendered social relations of labor in a time of transformation.

Artist and Smith College Professor Emerita Susan Heidman will discuss her decades long career and artistic process in creating her Proteanna series, a collection of works that explore the bio-morphic shapes of the ocean’s “in-between entities.”

This isn’t a typical concert—expect an interactive, community-driven experience where the audience becomes part of the music. Help shape the setlist, react to short musical ideas, or influence the direction of a tune. Your energy becomes part of the performance, making each show unique and alive.

With sweeping views of the New Bedford harbor, The Jethros will light the fuse for a sparkling celebration—delivering big sounds, feel-good rhythms, and irresistible energy that will have you on your feet and dancing all night long.

Kick off your Labor Day weekend at the New Bedford Whaling Museum with an evening of art, culture, and high-energy live music as part of our popular First Fridays series. Enjoy full Museum access and explore the galleries at your leisure before the music begins. Live Music performance by The Catnip Junkies Band starts at 6:00 PM in the Harbor View Gallery.

This September, become part of a global celebration of cinema! Join over 100,000 film lovers in 500+ cities across six continents to watch the Finalists’ Films in the 29th Annual MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival—and cast your vote to help decide the winners!

Join us in conversation with artist and retired Professor of Fine Arts Adrian Tió, who will share his artist’s journey and the story behind a selection of his work that will be on view in an upcoming book arts exhibition at the Whaling Museum.

Join special guest travel host Maria Lawton for an unforgettable exploration of São Miguel culture, cuisine, and breathtaking landscapes.

Celebrate National Authors’ Day at the New Bedford Whaling Museum with a special event honoring the writers and illustrators who bring maritime history and coastal culture to life. Browse a curated pop-up book sale from the Museum Store, meet select authors, and enjoy book signings with select authors.

Celebrate hip hop at the New Bedford Whaling Museum’s First Friday! Curated with 3rd EyE Unlimited, the night features a live DJ, dance, spoken word, and art in the Harbor View Gallery. Join us for an evening of rhythm and local talent on the waterfront.

May Babcock is an eco-centric artist that creates paper works and sculptural forms from natural materials she sources from local environments. Join us in conversation as she shares her process in creating works for her New Ecologies series, a collection of sculptural paper forms constructed from sites around New England.

Close out the 2026 First Fridays series with the ocean-inspired sounds of The Whale Guitar and Sharks Come Cruisin’. Enjoy energetic sea shanties, a cash bar, and light bites in the Harbor View Gallery. Don’t miss this celebration of maritime community!

Each January, the New Bedford Whaling Museum hosts a celebrated live reading of Moby-Dick. The annual Marathon draws global enthusiasts—both in-person and online—to share in this remarkable literary tradition.