Downtown New Bedford businesses plan a Halloween trick-or-treat stroll with FallFest on hold this year
New Bedford Tattoo Company says it teamed up with downtown neighbors for the afternoon. FallFest's organizer says it hopes to bring the event back in 2027.
NEW BEDFORD With Downtown New Bedford Inc.'s FallFest on hold for 2026, a group of downtown businesses is putting on its own Halloween afternoon for children: a trick-or-treat stroll from shop to shop on Saturday, Oct. 31, from noon to 3 p.m., WBSM reported Tuesday.
New Bedford Tattoo Company announced the stroll on its Facebook page under the heading "Downtown Halloween Trick-or-Treat," writing that it had "teamed up with some of our favorite downtown neighbors" for a "safe, fun, and candy-filled afternoon for the kids." The photo with the post shows a sign that reads "Candy Stop."
Where to go
WBSM, which ran the details along with its sister station Fun 107, listed seven participating businesses. Their addresses, from Downtown New Bedford Inc.'s business listings, put every stop on Front, Union, North Water or South Water streets:
- Cork Wine & Tapas, 90 Front St.
- Rose Alley Ale House, 94 Front St.
- New Bedford Tattoo Company, 82-86 Front St.
- National Club Mexican Cantina, 24 Union St.
- PLAY Arcade, 34 Union St.
- Moby Dick Brewing, 16 S. Water St.
- Tia Maria's European Cafe, 42 N. Water St.
Children in costume stop at each business for treats, the station reported. It said the owners organized the stroll on their own, with FallFest off this year, so that children would not miss out on an afternoon of costumes and candy.
Why FallFest is off
Downtown New Bedford Inc., the volunteer-run nonprofit behind FallFest, announced Sept. 10 that it was pausing the event for 2026. The group cited "limited funding opportunities through local and state grants and charitable sources" and said the decision followed discussions with its supporting organizations. The notice said the group's board of directors carefully considered the impact of placing FallFest on a temporary hiatus.
"Each year, the event brings hundreds of families and friends downtown to enjoy a safe and welcoming Halloween celebration," the notice said. "We understand how meaningful FallFest is to our community and the impact its absence will have." The group said it would keep pursuing funding "with the goal of bringing FallFest back in 2027."
What FallFest offered
Last year's FallFest was set for Saturday, Oct. 18, from noon to 5 p.m. The group's 2025 event page listed trick-or-treating at more than 30 candy stops, a trunk or treat on Purchase Street, a dance party in Wings Court and seasonal specials at downtown shops, galleries and cafes. It was free and open to the public.
Three of this year's stroll stops were named in that page's highlights. Tia Maria's and Cork listed fall-themed drinks, Cork also planned watercoloring for kids, and PLAY Arcade listed a themed drink special.
"FallFest has really become one of those special downtown traditions," Elissa Paquette, owner of Calico on Union Street, said as the group's president in its 2025 announcement. "It's a chance for our businesses to connect with the community in a fun, festive way."
For more Halloween events across the South Coast through Saturday, including Baby Boo at the Zoo at Buttonwood Park Zoo on Friday, Oct. 30, see our Halloween week guide.
Label: Reported by us, from the town's posted records.
Notes
The FallFest facts come from Downtown New Bedford Inc.'s own Sept. 10 notice and its 2025 event page, and the stop addresses from the group's business listings. New Bedford Tattoo Company's own Facebook post confirms the stroll. The date, hours and list of seven businesses are WBSM's report, credited in the story. We read all of them on Oct. 27. We checked each date and weekday against a calendar: Sept. 10, 2026, is a Thursday, Oct. 18, 2025, was a Saturday, and Oct. 30 and Oct. 31, 2026, are a Friday and a Saturday.
Corrections
No corrections to this story. If something here is wrong, tell us. Every correction is dated on the story and listed in our public log.
Sources (6)
- Downtown New Bedford Inc.: dNB FallFest on Hiatus for 2026The group's own notice: FallFest paused for 2026 over limited local and state grant and charitable funding, after discussions with supporting organizations; board decision; hundreds of families each year; aim to return in 2027. Posted Sept. 10, 2026. Read Oct. 27, 2026.
- Downtown New Bedford Inc.: dNB FallFest 2025Last year's event page: Sat. Oct. 18, 2025, noon to 5 p.m.; 30+ candy stops; Purchase Street trunk or treat; Wings Court dance party; Tia Maria's, Cork and PLAY Arcade specials; free; volunteer-run 501(c)(3); Elissa Paquette quote. Posted Oct. 14, 2025. Read Oct. 27, 2026.
- New Bedford Tattoo Company (Facebook): Downtown Halloween Trick-or-TreatThe shop's own public post announcing the stroll; logged out, Facebook shows the opening lines and the 'Candy Stop' photo. Undated as served. Read Oct. 27, 2026.
- WBSM: New Bedford Businesses Step Up to Save Halloween After Fall Fest CancellationCredited for the date, the noon to 3 p.m. hours, the seven businesses and how the stroll works. The same report ran on Fun 107 (https://fun107.com/new-bedford-downtown-halloween-candy-stroll/). Published Oct. 27, 2026. Read Oct. 27, 2026.
- Downtown New Bedford Inc.: dNB Holiday Stroll 2025Addresses for Cork Wine & Tapas (90 Front St.) and PLAY Arcade (34 Union St.). Posted Oct. 29, 2025. Read Oct. 27, 2026.
- Downtown New Bedford Inc. listings: New Bedford Tattoo Company, Rose Alley Ale House, National Club, Moby Dick Brewery, Tia Maria's European CafeAddresses: 82-86 Front St.; 94 Front St. (https://downtownnb.org/rose-alley-ale-house/); 24 Union St. (https://downtownnb.org/national-club/); 16 S. Water St. (https://downtownnb.org/moby-dick-brewery/); 42 N. Water St. (https://downtownnb.org/tia-marias-european-cafe/). Read Oct. 27, 2026.