New Bedford's Summer Sound Series Returns With Free Concerts

Dust off those dancing shoes, because free concerts are coming back to New Bedford for the 2023 Summer Sound Series.

Alternating Fridays from June 9 through September 15 there will be block party events on Lower Union Street or Purchase Street with what the city calls "high-energy danceable varieties of musical genres."

As Mayor Jon Mitchell put it, "Nothing brings people together like live music outdoors" and the Summer Sound Series hopes to do that once again this season as they celebrate ten years of free concerts in New Bedford.

The downtown concerts will also feature local restaurants and organizations, to help round out the block party vibes each Friday night from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.

Summer Sound Series shows kick off June 9th with the Diane Blue All-Star Band with Ricky Russell performing on lower Union Street, between N. Water St and Rte 18. Area streets will be blocked off around the show so concertgoers can purchase a beverage and enjoy the music festival atmosphere in the heart of the city.

All Union Street shows will have food and drinks available from PLAY Arcade, Rose Alley Ale House, Moby Dick Brewing Co., Union Flats Seafood, Whaler’s Tavern and Cultivator Shoals.

Purchase Street shows take place between Union and Williams Streets and start June 23 with Entrain. They'll have DNB Burgers, the Pour Farm Tavern, the Vault Music Hall & Pub and No Problemo on board as participating restaurants.

All shows are absolutely free, so here's when to make your Friday night plans in New Bedford this summer.