New Bedford Announces New Year’s Eve Celebration

New Bedford officials announced plans for City Celebrates! New Year's Eve! 2016 Monday afternoon at City Hall.

The family-friendly activities are offered free of charge thanks to donations from sponsors, including $20,000 from Bristol County Savings Bank and $5,000 from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts.

Mayor Jon Mitchell said the celebration is a great time for residents and is the product of good teamwork between the city and sponsors.

"It's a great way to build community and have a lot of fun," Mitchell said. "There are plenty of communities that wish they could have events like this and we do it through great organization and great backing."

This year's event will run from 5-8:30pm, capped off with a fireworks display over State Pier at 8:30pm. Union St. will be closed from Water St. to Route 18 to allow for people a viewing area. State Pier will be closed to all vehicles and pedestrians.

Other program highlights include: street performers, stilt walkers, jugglers, fire-eaters and more.

A map has also been created this year to help visitors get around the festivities.

A full list of events can be found below and at destinationnewbedford.org.

City Celebrates NYE 2016 Map by Greg Desrosiers on Scribd

Holiday Happenings 2016 by Greg Desrosiers on Scribd