First Friday in New Bedford:

An overnight New Bedford Experience

An after-hours museum party. A Saturday food tour. One very good weekend.

First Fridays each month this summer

This overnight package pairs a First Friday evening at the New Bedford Whaling Museum with a Saturday food tour, gallery time, and the kind of unhurried morning that makes a trip worth taking. Designed for visitors who want more than a day trip can offer.

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Itinerary

Friday Afternoon — Check into The Fairfield Hotel

The Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriot puts you right on the harbor with a great free breakfast and views of the fishing fleet. Best of all, you’re just a five-minute stroll across the cobblestones from the world-famous Whaling Museum and the rest of the historic district.

Friday Evening — First Friday at The Whaling Museum

Experience one of the South Coast's liveliest monthly events at the Whaling Museum’s 21+ after-hours First Friday, featuring art, entertainment, signature drinks, and complimentary lite bites. Your evening includes a wine flight from Coastal Bubbles to be redeemed at your leisure; see below for each month's specific entertainment lineup.

Saturday Morning — Explore New Bedford and Whaling Museum Galleries

Breakfast at the hotel. No agenda. The Whaling Museum opens at 10 am — your Saturday gallery admission is included, so take your time. Your welcome bag includes dining suggestions if you'd like to explore before the tour.

12:00 PM — New Bedford Food Tour

Taste your way through Downtown New Bedford, visiting local restaurants that reflect the city’s remarkable cultural diversity. (Note: this tour focuses on non-seafood offerings.)

3:00 PM — Tour concludes in the historic district.

Choose Your Weekend

July 3 The Jethros & Margaritaville Party

Kick off your Fourth of July weekend in full “Parrothead” style—tropical vibes, waterfront breezes, and a splash of margarita magic. With sweeping views of the New Bedford harbor, this special First Fridays celebration opens with a lively sneak preview from New Bedford Festival Theatre’s upcoming production of Escape to Margaritaville, featuring fan-favorite songs by Jimmy Buffett.

Let the rhythm of island life set the tone as the cast performs a high-energy opening number—bringing sunshine, storytelling, and a taste of paradise to the Harbor View Gallery. Then, The Jethros take the stage to light the fuse for a sparkling summer celebration, delivering their signature blend of big sounds, feel-good grooves, and dance-worthy energy.

August 7 Putnam Murdock

Putnam Murdock is a touring Americana songwriter whose music draws deeply from folk, blues, and country traditions. He began his professional career as front man for the Colorado-based band Chief Broom, performing nationally before launching a solo career following his studies in songwriting at Berklee College of Music. Whether performing solo or with a full ensemble, Murdock’s songs are known for their intimacy, strong storytelling, and timeless Americana sound.

Murdock has since toured extensively across the U.S., sharing stages with artists including Martin Sexton, Taj Mahal, Gregory Alan Isakov, Ben Taylor, and Kaki King. His songwriting has earned recognition from the International Songwriting Competition, and his recordings have appeared on official Grammy ballots.

What’s Included

One night at the Fairfield by Marriott New Bedford (Friday)
Breakfast at the hotel (Saturday)
First Friday evening admission at the New Bedford Whaling Museum
Johnny Cake Hill wine flight from Coastal Bubbles, redeemable at leisure
Saturday gallery admission to the Whaling Museum with re-entry, at leisure
New Bedford food tour, Saturday 12–3 pm
Welcome bag with local goodies

What’s Not Included

Gratuity for food tour guide
Alcoholic beverages during food tour
Friday dinner
Transportation to and from New Bedford

Note: Due to hotel and museum scheduling, bookings for this package close one week prior to the event date.