Free live music is back in downtown New Bedford with the 2026 Summer Sound Series. The outdoor concerts feature nine Friday night performances on select dates from June through September.

Music runs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. The July 3 concert begins at 6 p.m. and will be followed by fireworks over New Bedford Harbor.

June 26 — NB Rude Boys with special guests
Genre: Ska

Special guests include New Bedford vocalist and business owner Lori Gomes, Dartmouth saxophonist John Collins, formerly of 7 Day Weekend, and trombonist Walt Bostonian, an international recording artist who has performed with Bim Skala Bim.

The 42nd annual Jazz Concert is on Sunday, June 28, at 11 a.m. Music runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A vendor event, refreshments, and a raffle are from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

This concert recognizes the roots of jazz in American slavery and the deeply rooted presence of white supremacy in the nation. Each year, a racially diverse ensemble of musicians from New Bedford and nearby towns comes together to perform.

Organizers aim to encourage reflection on racial realities and inspire a renewed commitment to a more just and equal America. Funds raised support the church and its social justice work.

Akoma Ensemble returns with guest Candida Rose. Akoma presents original and traditional jazz grounded in African American heritage and shaped by global influences. Rose, a Cabo Verdean from New Bedford, studies and shares the transnational musical legacy of Cabo Verdean Americans.

A Victorian-era dinner and true crime history lesson will bring guests inside the infamous Lizzie Borden House in Fall River. Tickets are $75.

Guests will be served a full-course meal inspired by the Borden family. The evening also explores the unsolved 1892 murders through stories, clues, and lessons in Victorian-era table etiquette.

Dinner begins promptly at 6 p.m., with seating at 6:15 p.m. The event is open to guests ages 16 and older. Alcohol will not be served. Formal or business casual attire is required, and Victorian-era clothing is encouraged.

Classes run Fridays from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. Cost is $22 per class. A 10-class series is available for $199 and includes Cisco and Sangha merchandise. Classes are free for Sangha Unlimited members.

Participants should bring a yoga mat or towel and water. Practice is held on the sand at Cisco Waterfront.

In case of inclement weather, class moves indoors to Sangha New Bedford.

Preregistration is required. Drop-ins are not permitted. Tickets are nonrefundable.