Your South Coast MA weekend guide – June 12-14, 2026
Your weekly guide to South Coast MA events, activities, scanner highlights, feel-good stories, local eats, and happenings. Delivered free to your inbox!
Summer is officially in full swing on the SouthCoast, and this weekend (June 12-14, 2026) is stacked. Whether you’re hunting fresh oysters, catching free live music, or just want to know what’s going down before you leave the couch — we got you. Read on. ☀️
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❤️ What’s Happening This Weekend
Here’s your full lineup for the weekend. We’ve marked the FREE ones so you can plan accordingly (and maybe save enough for oysters).
- 🥒 New Bedford Oysterfest 2026 — Fri-Sun, June 12-14 | Cisco Brewers New Bedford
Two-hour ticketed windows: 12:00 PM-2:00 PM and 2:30 PM-4:30 PM. Local oyster growers, craft beverages, live music, and all proceeds go to the Fishing Heritage Center. Tickets are $40 presale / $45 day-of (includes 7 oyster samples + a beer or cocktail + souvenir shucking knife). Yes, a souvenir shucking knife. The SouthCoast gives and gives. - ⭐ Luminosity: RJD Annual Garden Party — Friday, June 12, 7-10 PM | Rotch-Jones-Duff House, New Bedford
The Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum is doing their annual fundraiser with a Luminosity theme — sparkles, silver, and gold attire encouraged. Newly illuminated historic gardens, performances, and refreshments. Fancy it up, South Coast. - 🎶 U.S. Coast Guard Band Concert — Sunday, June 14, 3 PM | Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, New Bedford [FREE]
The full 55-member U.S. Coast Guard Band performs wind ensemble classics, jazz favorites, and patriotic music. Admission is free, but tickets must be reserved ahead of time. Seating is first come, first served — get there early. - 🎵 Ragged Island Music Festival — Sat-Sun, June 13-14 | Ragged Island Brewing Company, Bristol Ferry, RI
A two-day music festival at one of the coolest breweries in the region. Live music all weekend, cold craft beer, and harbor views. This one sells itself. - 🌿 Ravers Night! Live Reggae at Newport Vineyards — Friday, June 12, 7-9:30 PM | Newport Vineyards, Middletown, RI [FREE, 21+]
Newport’s own reggae band takes the stage at Newport Vineyards for a free Friday night. Good vibes, good wine, zero cover charge. Classic. Just bring your ID, this one’s 21+. - 🌼 Tiverton Farmers Market — Summer Session — Sunday, June 14 | Tiverton, RI [FREE]
The summer session opens this weekend. Local produce, artisan goods, and that particular Saturday-morning energy that makes you feel like you’ve got your life together. - 🛒 Aquidneck Growers Market — Saturday, June 13 | Newport, RI [FREE]
The Newport-area farmers market is open. Fresh local produce, breads, flowers, and the smug satisfaction of buying local. A free outing the whole family can enjoy (or endure, depending on your kids). - 🎨 Creative Catalysts Exhibition — Ongoing through July 31 | New Bedford Art Museum [FREE to view]
Local artists, fresh perspectives, and a reason to finally walk through the art museum you’ve been meaning to visit since 2019. The Synergies: Hybrid Art show is also running through August 30. Two for the price of… also free. - Martial Artist Meetup at Bicentennial Park — Sunday, June 14 | Bicentennial Park, Fall River [FREE]
Local martial artists are gathering at Bicentennial Park. Open to participants of all styles. Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or just want to awkwardly watch someone do kata, this is your Sunday.
🍕️ Eats & Local Flavor
Venus de Milo Gets the All-Clear in Swansea
Big news for anyone who’s been stress-eating over the Venus de Milo situation: the Swansea Board of Health and the Venus de Milo released a joint statement this week putting their dispute firmly in the rearview mirror. An unannounced inspection during a live ticketed event found the kitchen clean, staff following proper protocols, and everything above board. Owner Monte Ferris said the establishment looks forward to a highly collaborative relationship going forward. Translation: the buffet is safe, people. Book your next birthday party with confidence.
New Bedford Oysterfest = Peak SouthCoast Energy
We already mentioned it in the events section, but let’s be clear: Cisco Brewers New Bedford hosting Oysterfest all weekend with local oyster growers, craft brews, and proceeds going back to the Fishing Heritage Center is exactly the vibe this city was built for. If you haven’t been before, this is the one to circle on your calendar. Get your tickets in advance — they sell out.
😊 Feel-Good & Community Wins
New Bedford Mom Finds Her Village After Son’s Terrifying Bike Accident
This one’s a gut-punch in the best possible way. A New Bedford mom shared how her 9-year-old son got his brake handle lodged in his abdomen in a freak bike accident. Before EMS even arrived, neighbors came running, a stranger pulled over his work van and stayed until first responders showed up, and crews from New Bedford Fire Station 7, New Bedford EMS, and NBPD responded with calm professionalism under pressure. The kid made it through surgery at Hasbro Children’s Hospital. The family is now searching for the Good Samaritan in the work van to thank him personally. If you know him — or ARE him — this family wants to find you. 🙏
MA Lottery Winner Plans to Donate His $4M Windfall
Wei Xiao Zhong of Brighton hit a $4 million scratch ticket win — and then said he plans to invest and donate the money. He took the cash option ($2.6M before taxes). No Lamborghini. No Insta announcement. Just a guy who won big and wants to do good with it. In 2026, that counts as extraordinary news. Respect, sir.
📰 Local News & Scanner Highlights
Fall River City Council Votes to Buy Bishop Connolly for $29.8M
The Fall River City Council approved a $29.8 million loan order to purchase the shuttered former Bishop Connolly High School, overriding Mayor Coogan’s veto in the same session. The Council also authorized hiring outside legal counsel — all in one chaotic Tuesday meeting. Whatever that building eventually becomes, the saga of Bishop Connolly is far from over. This is Fall River politics at its most Fall River.
Route 6 Overpass to Honor Massachusetts Marine
State Rep. Steven Xiarhos announced the dedication of the Staff Sergeant Raymond G. Tourville Memorial Overpass on Route 6 in Sandwich, honoring a Massachusetts Marine who died in the line of duty. The Quaker Meeting House Bridge will carry his name going forward. A small but meaningful gesture of remembrance for those who served.
Five Arrested in New England Drug-Gun Trafficking Ring (94 Firearms Seized)
Federal authorities unsealed a complaint against five members of a multi-state trafficking ring stretching across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Maine. The alleged ring moved fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana — and accumulated 94 firearms through straw purchases, private sales, and ghost guns manufactured in someone’s residence. One defendant has alleged Trinitarios gang ties. The ringleader is already serving a state sentence in New Hampshire. This one’s a reminder of how wide these networks run across the region.
New Bedford: Domestic Gun Call + Illegal Glock Seized
On June 7, New Bedford officers responded to a domestic firearm threat near Hazelwood Park, seizing an unsecured gun at a residence on Studley Street. In a separate June 7 call on Viall Street — officers heard fighting during a welfare check and seized an illegal Glock 19. Two incidents, one Sunday, zero chill.
Fall River: Shots Fired Near County Street / Lafayette Park
Multiple shell casings were recovered near County Street and Lafayette Park after shots were fired in the area. No victims were identified. The Fall River Major Crimes Division is investigating. Business as usual out there — stay aware of your surroundings.
🤦 Stupid Criminals Corner
Sneakers Don’t Lie: How Nike Air Jordans Took Down a RI Stop & Shop Bandit
Look, if you’re going to rob multiple stores, change your shoes. An alleged bandit hit a Stop & Shop in Pawtucket and then, in a bold display of misplaced confidence, rocked the same Nike Air Jordans at a robbery in Attleboro the next day. Security footage doesn’t lie, and neither do Air Jordans. Full story: Same Sneakers, Two Days, Two Robberies. The SouthCoast footwear forensics division claims another win.
🔍 Mystery & Unbelievable Story of the Week
Connecticut Man Arrives in New Bedford, Goes on Sword-Swinging Rampage Through Fairhaven
Fresh out of the hospital and clearly not in a restorative state of mind, a Connecticut man made his way to the New Bedford/Fairhaven area and proceeded to go on a sword-swinging rampage. We’re not going to spoil the details here — you need to read the full story for the complete picture of just how bizarre this incident was. The SouthCoast continues to attract main characters from all corners of New England. You’re welcome, everywhere else.
📬 Don’t Miss a Thing
That’s your South Coast MA weekend guide for June 12-14, 2026. Whether you’re heading to Oysterfest, catching free live music, or just staying in and judging people from a safe distance — we hope something here was useful.
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