Welcome

With a population of approximately 100,000, the City of New Bedford is the world’s most famous whaling era seaport and the number one fishing port in America. This city is a wonderfully diverse, culturally rich community with a proud present, past and future.

Children can obtain a high-quality education in the New Bedford Public Schools System. Individuals pursuing higher education can do so at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth or Bristol Community College, both conveniently offer a downtown New Bedford campus.

New Bedford is dotted with beautifully maintained parks and public beaches. Our neighborhood restaurants, cafés, and bistros feature delicious ethnic cuisines. Visit the New Bedford Whaling National Historic Park, Whaling Museum, unique shops and galleries in our downtown historic district. New Bedford offers an unbeatable quality of life and is a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

Email: Mayor.Mitchell@newbedford-ma.gov

Mayor’s Office News

 

New Bedford Honors Iconic Musical Group Tavares

NEW BEDFORD – Tavares played sold-out shows all over the world, performed for millions on television, and won the highest award in the music industry. But, from concerts at Buttonwood Park and the Zeiterion, to supporting local causes and shining a light on Cape Verdean culture, the Tavares Brothers – […]

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Mayor Mitchell Announces July 4th Fireworks Show

NEW BEDFORD – Mayor Jon Mitchell announced today that the City of New Bedford’s Independence Day fireworks display will take place at 9 p.m. on Thursday, July 4. Sponsored by Claremont Companies and Taunton Federal Credit Union, the fireworks will be staged from a barge located off the State Pier […]

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Mayor Mitchell, Community Economic Development Center Break Ground on Capitol Theater Transformation

Project Will Act As Anchor to Acushnet Avenue Neighborhood Revitalization NEW BEDFORD – When it opened more than 100 years ago as the first New Bedford theater built specifically for screening movies, the Capitol Theater was a cornerstone for social life and culture on Acushnet Avenue. The theater shuttered around […]

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City Utilizing Federal ARPA Funds to Expand First-Time Homebuyer Program

Eligible New Bedford Residents Seeking to Purchase First Home in City May Receive Up to $25,000 in Down Payment, Closing Cost Assistance NEW BEDFORD – Mayor Jon Mitchell announced an enhancement of the City’s first-time homebuyer program Monday morning that will provide up to $25,000 in down payment and other […]

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City Offices and Facilities Closed Wednesday, June 19 as New Bedford Observes Juneteenth

NEW BEDFORD – City offices will be closed to the public on Wednesday, June 19, as New Bedford observes the Juneteenth holiday. This includes public libraries. Buttonwood Park Zoo will remain open. The City of New Bedford was gifted an Official Juneteenth Flag by Human Rights Commissioner Sidney A. Murray […]

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Ashley Park Basketball Court Dedicated to Thomas Barao

Former Record-Holder Is One of the Greatest Basketball Players in NBHS History NEW BEDFORD – Tom Barao grew up on Borden Street, and on most days, headed to Ashley Park to play basketball. All those days dribbling, shooting, and playing pick-up games paid off as Barao went on to become […]

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Mayor, Officials Celebrate Reimagined Ashley Park

$1.7 Million Renovation is Latest Investment in Goulart Square Neighborhood NEW BEDFORD – Mayor Jon Mitchell and other City officials joined Goulart Square neighbors Monday morning to celebrate the renovation of Ashley Park. The ribbon-cutting ceremony capped the year-long $1.7 million project to reimagine the key public space in the […]

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New Bedford Community Preservation Committee Holding Public Hearing June 11 at Downtown Library

Written Comments Will Be Accepted Through July 5 NEW BEDFORD – The Community Preservation Committee is hosting a public hearing on Tuesday, June 11, at 6 p.m. to gather input from the public that will help update the Community Preservation Plan for the new fiscal year. The hearing will take […]

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Mayor Mitchell Announces 2024 Mayor’s List

Annual Ceremony Recognizes Top 10 Academically Ranked NBHS Seniors NEW BEDFORD – Mayor Jon Mitchell unveiled the 2024 Mayor’s List at the New Bedford Art Museum on Wednesday, the 12th annual celebration of the top 10 academically ranked New Bedford High School seniors. The ceremony recognizing the City’s highest achieving […]

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2024 Summer Sound Series Kicks Off June 28

Free Friday Evening Concerts Energize Downtown NEW BEDFORD – The City’s popular Summer Sound Series is returning for 2024, bringing a wide variety of musicians and genres to the annual series of free concerts Downtown. Presented by Mayor Jon Mitchell, the Summer Sound Series plays its opening notes on June […]

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Weekly Targeted Ground Spraying for Mosquitoes to Begin June 6, Continue Through September

Sprays between 2 a.m. and sunrise will target City’s parks, event spaces NEW BEDFORD – The New Bedford Health Department is partnering with the Bristol County Mosquito Project and the Mass. Department of Public Health on the annual mosquito monitoring program, which includes weekly ground spraying starting June 6. The […]

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New Bedford Oysterfest is City’s Newest Summer Celebration

Debut Event Showcasing Local Oyster Scene is June 15 at Cisco Brewers NEW BEDFORD – Enjoy fresh local oysters with a water view at the City’s newest can’t-miss summer event. Explore New Bedford – the City’s marketing and tourism department – is partnering with the Fishing Heritage Center on Cisco […]

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