No More Tickets: Big Changes at New Bedford Portuguese Feast

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — The Feast of the Blessed Sacrament is going completely cashless for the 110th edition of New Bedford’s biggest event of the summer, and gone are the tickets that have become synonymous with cacoila, malasadas, carne de espeto, and of course, Madeira wine.

Why the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament Is Going Cashless

“Say goodbye to tickets,” the Feast posted on its official Facebook page. “We now offer cashless transactions at most stands.”

It is part of the Feast’s recent technological upgrades, keeping up with the ways people are paying for items at most places.

“The Feast shall be implementing cashless transactions at all stands (barracas) to provide a more positive experience to all Feast goers,” the Feast told WBSM in a statement.

The Feast of the Blessed Sacrament first began accepting debit and credit cards last year, after more than a decade of cashless transactions through the use of tickets. Feast goers would feed their cash into a machine that would then spit out tickets (for $1 apiece) that they could then use at the barracas.

How to Pay for Food and Drinks at the Feast

This year, Feast goers can continue to use their credit or debit card on the Square readers at all barracas, or if they prefer not to use their card or don’t have one, there will be a cash-to-card kiosk that will accept cash and load the value onto a card that can be used for transactions.

The same practice is in place at many other “cashless” venues such as Fenway Park in Boston, Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, or Xfinity Center in Mansfield.

2026 Feast Dates and Entertainment Lineup

The 110th Feast will kick off July 30, headlined by late-90s hitmakers Sugar Ray, and will continue on July 31, August 1, and August 2. Admission is free. For more information and a full lineup of events and entertainment, visit FeastoftheBlessedSacrament.com.

Items Banned From New Bedford's Feast of the Blessed Sacrament

If you're headed to the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament in New Bedford, don't bring any of the following items. Security won't allow you in with them.

Gallery Credit: Phil Devitt

5 Underrated Foods at New Bedford's Portuguese Feast

Besides the bifanas, cacoila and carne de espeto, here are five underrated Portuguese dishes and treats you have to try at the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament.

Gallery Credit: Gazelle

Source: New Bedford’s Massive Portuguese Feast Is Making a Major Change to How You Pay This Year