Here’s what’s happening on the SouthCoast this month! To submit your event, email us at in**@***********st.com.
Listen to the latest episode here or watch the video version on YouTube.
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SouthCoast Scoop is sponsored by Southeastern Massachusetts Visitors Bureau
https://visitsemass.com/
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July 2026 Events
DARTMOUTH
Padanaram Summer Festival & Sidewalk Sale
Saturday, July 25, 2026
9:00 AM
FAIRHAVEN
Fairhaven’s Revolutionary Fourth of July Parade & Cannon Ceremony ⭐ MA250 Event
Saturday, July 4, 2026
Parade step-off 9:00 AM | Ceremony at Fort Phoenix ~10:00 AM
Free
Annual parade steps off at Washington & Green Streets and marches down Green Street to Fort Phoenix — the site of the first naval battle of the American Revolution — where the Fairhaven Village Militia fires real cannons. https://massachusetts250.org/event/fairhavens-revolutionary-fourth-of-july-parade-ceremony/
FALL RIVER
Fall River Waterfront Fourth of July Celebration ⭐ MA250 Event
Saturday, July 4, 2026
Entertainment begins ~6:15 PM (City Pier) and 7:00 PM (Bicentennial Park) | Fireworks ~9:00–9:30 PM
Free
Food trucks, live entertainment, family activities, and fireworks over the Taunton River at Heritage State Park, Senator Thomas Norton City Pier, and Veterans Memorial Bicentennial Park.
Train is right across from the Davol st station.
Also listed on MA250’s statewide calendar. https://massachusetts250.org/celebrate-americas-250th-birthday-in-massachusetts/
250th Anniversary Celebration with Fireworks on Big Mamie ⭐ MA250 Event
Saturday, July 4, 2026
7:00 PM
Celebrate America’s 250th on the USS Massachusetts (Big Mamie) at Battleship Cove, 5 Water St, Fall River.
https://allevents.in/fall-river-ma/all
Saint Michael Parish Feast
Friday–Sunday, July 10–12, 2026
Fri–Sat 5:00–11:00 PM | Sun noon–9:00 PM (food/games 4–9 PM)
Free admission (food/games for purchase)
Three days of Portuguese food, live music, carnival games, malassadas, and a traditional religious procession of the statue of St. Michael on Sunday afternoon at 2:30 PM. Essex Street, Fall River.
Narrows Center for the Arts https://www.narrowscenter.org/
Tab Benoit
Thursday, July 2, 2026 (note: July 2)
Doors 7:00 PM | Show 8:00 PM
Mark Cutler
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Darlingside
Friday, July 10, 2026
Bluebird Improv
Thursday, July 16, 2026
The Brothers Comatose
Saturday, July 18, 2026
Big Richard
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Los Lobos
Saturday, July 25, 2026
Doors 7:00 PM | Show 8:00 PM
$90 advance | $92 day of show (all-in pricing, no additional fees)
The legendary Los Lobos celebrates 50 years. Narrows Center for the Arts, 16 Anawan Street, Fall River. BYOB (beer/wine only). Tickets available directly from the Narrows.
https://narrowscenter.showare.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=108
The Lone Bellow
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
Duane Betts
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
Fall River Food Truck Festival
Friday, July 17th at 5:00 PM
Gates of the City
Free Admission
MARION
Marion Independence Day Parade ⭐ MA250 Event
Saturday, July 4, 2026
9:00 AM
Free
Parade begins at the Marion Town House to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. Community floats, patriotic entries, and family celebration. Come early to find a spot along the route.
https://sippican.theweektoday.com/site/happenings
MATTAPOISETT
Field of Flags at Dunseith Garden ⭐ MA250 Event
Thursday–Friday, July 2–3, 2026
All day
Free
The Mattapoisett Woman’s Club places 400 American flags at the Mattapoisett Land Trust Dunseith Gardens honoring the nation’s 250th anniversary. Residents can request a ribbon attached to a flag in honor of a veteran or loved one (request deadline was June 25).
https://mattapoisett.gov/
Community Picnic at Ned’s Point ⭐ MA250 Event
Friday, July 3, 2026
4:30 PM
Free (bring your own picnic dinner)
Families gather at Ned’s Point for a community picnic, games, and activities for children as part of Mattapoisett’s USA 250 celebrations.
https://mattapoisett.gov/
Mattapoisett Firefighters’ Memories Exhibition ⭐ MA250 Event
Saturday, July 4, 2026
2:00 PM
Free
A tent exhibit and panel discussion honoring the history of Mattapoisett’s volunteer firefighters before modern technology. Features retired call firefighters sharing stories and a display of antique and obsolete firefighting equipment. Located at the tent on the corner of Church and Baptist Streets.
Harbor Days Book Sale — Mattapoisett Library
Friday–Saturday, July 17–18, 2026
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Free admission
Friends of the Mattapoisett Library annual book sale in the Library Community Room, 7 Barstow Street.
https://sippican.theweektoday.com/site/happenings
NEW BEDFORD
Mass Youth Soccer FIFA Fan Fest
July 2nd from 2-9:00 PM
Join Mass Youth Soccer for a festival style watch party filled with fun for the who Family
Fort Taber
Match 1 at 3:00 and Match 2 at 7:00
Portuguese Tall Ship Sagres returns to New Bedford
July 19th through 23rd docked at the Marine Commerce Terminal
Welcome Ceremony July 19th at 10:00 AM
Portuguese Naval Training Ship build in 1937
AHA! Night: Kids Rule (Adults Too!)
Thursday, July 9, 2026
5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Free
Downtown New Bedford’s monthly free arts and cultural night, themed “Kids Rule!” this month. Features family-friendly activities across 60+ museums, galleries, arts organizations, shops, and restaurants throughout the historic cobblestoned downtown.
Summer Sound Series: Autumn Drive & Morrissey Blvd + NB250 Fireworks ⭐ MA250 / NB250 Event
Friday, July 3, 2026
Concert 6:00–8:30 PM | Fireworks 9:00 PM
Free
Indie concert on Purchase Street as part of the NB250 celebration of America’s 250th birthday, culminating with fireworks over New Bedford Harbor. Free parking at Elm Street Garage and Zeiterion Garage.
https://ahanewbedford.org/summer-sound-series/
New Bedford Independence Day Celebration ⭐ MA250 Event
Saturday, July 4, 2026
TBD — waterfront festivities, fireworks at dusk
Free
Fireworks over New Bedford Harbor accompanied by waterfront festivities; one of the South Coast’s signature summer traditions, designated as an MA250 statewide event. https://massachusetts250.org/celebrate-americas-250th-birthday-in-massachusetts/
Summer Sound Series: Groovalottos (NB Roots & Branches Kickoff)
Friday, July 17, 2026
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Free
Funk concert on Lower Union Street, kicking off the 4th Annual NB Roots & Branches Festival. Free parking at Elm Street Garage and Zeiterion Garage.
4th Annual NB Roots & Branches Festival
Friday–Saturday, July 17–18, 2026
All day Saturday (12+ performance areas running continuously)
Free — 100%
Two-day acoustic music, dance, and arts festival by and for the community. Features Portuguese, Cape Verdean, Wampanoag, Irish, Quebecois, African American, Cajun, Manouche, jazz, blues, rock, ska, folk performers, a downtown sidewalk sale, participatory art spaces, street performers, and a culminating event at The Vault. 12 continuously running performance areas on Saturday across downtown venues including the New Bedford Whaling Museum and New Bedford Art Museum. Kickoff contradance Friday evening in partnership with AHA!’s Summer Sound Series.
https://www.nbrootsandbranches.com/
50’s Night
July 16th at 5:00 PM
Downtown New Bedford
Free to attend
Live Music, Classic Cars
Summer Sound Series: Funkie White Honkies
Friday, July 24, 2026
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Free
Funk concert on Purchase Street. Free parking at Elm Street Garage and Zeiterion Garage.
https://ahanewbedford.org/summer-sound-series/
Buttonwood Park Zoo
Ward Wednesdays
Free admission each Wednesday for New Bedford residents. Each week will be designated toward different wards.
https://www.bpzoo.org/whats-new/ward-wednesdays/
New Bedford Whaling Museum — Summer Family Programming (ongoing July)
Ongoing throughout July 2026
Museum open Mon–Sun, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; special programs vary by day
Museum admission (members free); special programs may have additional fees
Drop-in activities, squid dissections ($7/person, pre-registration required), 3D movies, Whale Wednesdays, Lagoda Days (climb aboard the half-scale whaling ship), Museum Makers crafts, and more. Full July/August schedule on the museum website. https://www.whalingmuseum.org/programs/upcoming/
ROCHESTER
Freedom Bells Ceremony ⭐ MA250 Event
Saturday, July 4, 2026
12:00 PM (noon) — coordinated national bell tolling
Free
The Rochester Historical Society is participating in the national Freedom Bells initiative — a coordinated bell tolling ceremony at noon on July 4 commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The 1872 church bell at the East Rochester Congregational Church museum has been oiled and prepared for the occasion.
New England Rodeo
July 11th & July 25th
Gates open at 5:00 PM, Adults are $25 kids 5 and under are free
65 Pine St. Rochester
Bull Riding, Barrel Racing, Family Fun
SWANSEA
Swansea Fire Department 100th Anniversary Family Fun Weekend
Friday July 10th: 5-10:00 PM
Saturday, July 11th: Noon-10:00 PM
Sunday July 12th: Noon- 6:00 PM
Ultimate weekend celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Swansea Fire Department. Enjoy Music, Food, Craft Vendors, Carnival, Games, and more!
Swansea Veterans Memorial Park
Free Admission
WESTPORT
WRWA Summer Concert: Lucy Kaplansky with Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light
Saturday, July 11, 2026
TBD (evening concert)
$65 non-members | $55 members
Westport River Watershed Alliance’s annual summer concert at the scenic Westport Rivers Vineyard & Winery. Lawn chairs/blankets welcome, row seating and picnic tables provided. Beer and wine for purchase; food trucks on site. Outside food/beverages not permitted. Family-friendly atmosphere.
https://www.westportwatershed.org/calendar-events
Please note: MA250 Events (marked ⭐) are part of Massachusetts’ official commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary (semiquincentennial). More information: https://massachusetts250.org
Events are subject to weather and other conditions. Always check the linked websites for the most current details and any updates closer to the event date.