Here are some of the hottest events happening in Greater New Bedford

Faith Harrington, The Standard-Times
·5 min read

Leave the summer blues behind as we head into fall on the SouthCoast. The air is getting a little crisper, and the days are getting a little shorter, but the fun is just getting started.

Each season brings some of the area's favorite events and Autumn has no shortage of festivals, food, and entertainment to keep you busy.

From cranberries to beer and opera to taiko, the SouthCoast is filling up your calendar for the next couple of months. Grab a sweatshirt, your favorite people, and celebrate fall in all its glory.

Stage Door Live

Thursday, Sept. 21: Listen to New B Legends with KG Express, Chops Turner, and Pat Loomis. The venue offers an up-close and unique experience, with bistro-style seating, a full bar, and the artists all in an intimate setting. Most tables are general admission, and reserved seats at premium tables are also available.

Details: 7:30 p.m. the Z's Stage Door Live Series will be held at the Kilburn Mill, 127 W Rodney French Blvd., New Bedford. Tickets are $25 for general admission and $34 for premium seating. To see all the shows in the series, visit https://www.zeiterion.org/program/stagedoorlive.

First Taste of Fall

Kim Pontes, Jenn Sousa, and Sandra Medeiros enjoy the day at the Zoological's First Taste of Fall Fundraiser held Saturday, September 24, 2022 at the Buttonwood Park Zoo in New Bedford.
Kim Pontes, Jenn Sousa, and Sandra Medeiros enjoy the day at the Zoological's First Taste of Fall Fundraiser held Saturday, September 24, 2022 at the Buttonwood Park Zoo in New Bedford.

Saturday, Sept. 23: Sample local breweries, wineries, and food trucks while supporting the Buttonwood Park Zoological Society. This 21-plus event includes zoo admission, a souvenir sampling glass, unlimited beer and wine samples, animal encounters, and live music.

Details: 4 to 7 p.m. general admission for $55; 3 to 7 p.m. VIP admission for $90 includes extra perks; designated driver tickets are available. All happening at the Buttonwood Park Zoo, 425 Hawthorn St., New Bedford. Get your tickets at https://www.bpzoo.org/whats-new/first-taste-of-fall.

Opera & Dinner

Saturday, Sept. 23: An unforgettable gala event with Seaglass Theater Company at the James Arnold Mansion. Start your night off with a cocktail party enjoying hors d’oeuvres while artists perform beloved arias, duets, and choruses from renowned operas. As the night continues be serenaded and enchanted while you dine on a delectable land and sea dinner.

Details: 6 p.m. at the James Arnold Mansion, 427 County St., New Bedford. The Opera and dinner tickets cost $125 per person and can be purchased at https://jamesarnoldmansion.org.

The Bee’s Mead

The Bee's Mead is happening from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum.
The Bee's Mead is happening from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum.

Sunday, Sept. 24: Family-friendly beer garden event with food, festivals, and adult beverages. Learn about the importance of bees as you sample honey-made mead, play lawn games, and grab a tasty treat.

Details: 1 to 4 p.m., at the Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum, 396 County St., New Bedford. Donations are accepted at the door in lieu of a fee. Find out more at https://rjdmuseum.org.

South Coast Harvest Festival

Don't miss the stunning displays, illuminating gardens, and all things Autumn at this year's South Coast Harvest Festival.
Don't miss the stunning displays, illuminating gardens, and all things Autumn at this year's South Coast Harvest Festival.

Friday, Sept. 29 - Sunday, Oct. 1: A weekend to promote local farmers, gardens, and artists is headed our way. Check out demos, children's activities, professional pumpkin carving, antique tractor displays, a sea glass sculpture garden local food vendors, and live music.

Details: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at Westport Fairgrounds, 200 Pine Hill Road. Tickets will be $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Senior and veterans tickets will be $10, kids aged 6 to 12 will be $5 and children 5 and under are free. You can grab your tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/south-coast-harvest-festival-tickets-468474468747.

What to know: There's a new fall festival in Westport this month.

New Bedford Seaport Chowder Festival

The Portuguese Kids will be the celebrity judges at this year's Chowderfest.
The Portuguese Kids will be the celebrity judges at this year's Chowderfest.

Saturday, Sept. 30: It’s your chance to try chowders from local restaurants and cast your vote for the best one.  Sample chowders and soups, listen to live music by Played Out, and enjoy the community vibe.

Details: noon to 5 p.m. at the City Pier 3, 51 MacArthur Drive, New Bedford. Presale tickets are $15; day of tickets are $20; children 6 to 12 years old are $5; and children under 5 are free. Grab your tickets early at https://onesouthcoast.com/chowderfest/.

Oktoberfest

Saturday, Oct. 7: Help raise money for at-risk youth while participating in New Bedford tradition. Taste test local and craft beers, hard seltzers, and sangria while listing to live music and playing cornhole. Local vendors and food trucks will be on hand to dish out some mouthwatering bites.

Details: 3 to 11 p.m. at the City Pier 3, 51 MacArthur Dr., New Bedford. Presale tickets are $15; day of tickets are $20; both include entry and entertainment only, food and drinks are bought separately. Don’t miss out on this New Bedford favorite, buy your tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com.

John Manjiro Festival

Folks watch the Kaiko drumming during the Japanese Friendship Festival at the Whitfield-Manjiro house in Fairhaven. [DAVID W. OLIVEIRA/STANDARD-TIMES SPECIAL/SCMG]
Folks watch the Kaiko drumming during the Japanese Friendship Festival at the Whitfield-Manjiro house in Fairhaven. [DAVID W. OLIVEIRA/STANDARD-TIMES SPECIAL/SCMG]

Saturday, Oct. 7: Celebrate the ties that connect Fairhaven to its sister city of Tosashimizu. A day honoring Japanese culture with taiko (Japanese drumming) performances, flutists, folk singing, ikebana (Japanese flower arranging), and a Japanese tea ceremony.  Embrace the community, check out the food and craft booths, and enjoy the entertainment.

Details: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Center and Walnut streets, Fairhaven. Admission is free and vendor details can be found at http://Whitfield-Manjiro.org.

Crantoberfest

Saturday, Oct. 14: Cranberries, cranberries, and more cranberries. Embrace the cranberries with the cranberry bake-off, Ms. Crantoberfest crowning, a kid’s costume parade, and cranberry games. Hit the beer garden, shop the food and merch vendors, and get to know your neighbors.

Details: noon to 5 p.m. at 10 Nickerson Ave., Middleboro. Free admission and parking.

New Bedford Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival

Head to the New Bedford Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival for good beer, food, music and lawn games.
Head to the New Bedford Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival for good beer, food, music and lawn games.

Saturday, Oct. 28: Due to Hurricane Lee the New Bedford & Craft Beer Festival was postponed to the end of October. An ultimate food truck experience is on the horizon, along with dozens of craft breweries all in one place at one time. There is entertainment and games for the entire family.

Details: noon to 5 p.m. at Fort Taber, 1000C South Rodney French Blvd., New Bedford. Tickets to enter are $5 in advance and $10 at the door, purchase them at https://www.foodtruckfestivalsofamerica.com/new-bedford.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Fall festivals, community events, food and fun in Greater New Bedford