Celebrate Creativity, Community & Culture at the 5th Annual We HeART Fall River Festival!
Join us on Saturday, May 10th from 12–4 PM in Downtown Fall River for a vibrant celebration of everything that makes our city shine! The We HeART Fall River Festival is back for its 5th year—bigger, bolder, and more inspiring than ever.
This free, family-friendly arts festival transforms Sullivan Drive (along the south side of Government Center) into a colorful hub of creativity, featuring local vendors, food trucks, live performances, hands-on art activities, and community resources.
Whether you’re a longtime resident or a first-time visitor, you’re invited to come together with neighbors, artists, and changemakers in a joyful celebration of the power of the arts to uplift, connect, and transform Fall River.
The event is presented by the Fall River Arts & Culture Coalition (FRACC) and Viva Fall River, in partnership with The City of Fall River, The Narrows Center for the Arts, and the Fall River Farmers & Artisans Market, and is financed in part by Bristol County, through the American Rescue Plan Act, and grants from the Mass Cultural Council (MCC) and the Fall River Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the MCC, a state agency; with additional support from the Office of Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III.
The We HeART Fall River Arts Festival is once again pleased to be a part of ArtWeek SouthCoast, a 10-day celebration (May 8-18) of the place and presence of the arts in our communities. Visit artweeksouthcoast.org for more information on events around the SouthCoast, from Wareham to Fall River!
PARKING INFORMATION
Free parking will be available in the following locations (please look for signage):
- Open lot at 138 Third St. (across from the Third Street Parking Garage)
- 329 Central Street
- Street Parking
****SCHEDULE OF EVENTS****
MAKERS MARKET
A nod to the maker spirit of the City, the Fall River Farmers & Artisans Market will showcase over 25 of the area’s “artrepreneurs,” offering a variety of items for sale. From original artwork and hand-made décor to body care, jewelry and clothing, this Market is the perfect place to get a unique gift for Mother’s Day AND support a local artisan. A full list of participating artisans will be posted on the Facebook event page.
FALL RIVER EATS! FOOD TRUCKS
The event will include a diverse array of local food truck favorites, including BBQ Y Mas, Blount Clam Shack Food Truck, Kona Ice of Taunton, Mac N Cheese Please, Pop’s Mobile Brick Oven Pizza, Tacofied, and What’s Up Cupcake.
The area will also showcase 2 of the city’s small businesses, Bun Buds and Mario’s Lebanese Bakery, and a local business from Westport, Brownell’s Bakery, all of whom will be serving their signature foods.
BIERGARTEN: For the 4th year, Troy City Brewing will be selling their local craft brews from 12-4pm. 21+ only.
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
Sullivan Drive will come alive with the sound of music, featuring a lineup of FREE live performances. Guests are welcome to bring chairs or blankets and settle in for the show.
12:45 – 1:30pm OPENING ACT: Tori Costa
Infusing Portuguese folk & Americana roots into a global pop/rock palette of sound, Tori Costa crafts a niche fusion of Luso-Americano rock that is genre-bending, exotically enchanting, and deeply nostalgic, while also remaining entirely her own creation. Tori’s Azorean heritage and southern New England origins are evident throughout her lyrical themes and musicalities.
2:00 – 4:00pm HEADLINER: Neal & The Vipers
The Narrows Center for the Arts presents Neal & The Vipers, a Rhode Island-based band that have been performing jaw-dropping, high energy shows to their loyal fans for over 30 years! Playing “American Roots Music” encompassing blues, rock & roll, rockabilly, and surf, entertaining fans everywhere, the band has shared the stage with several music legends such as B.B. King, Roy Buchanan, John Lee Hooker, Bonnie Raitt, Albert Collins, Greg Allman, Jimmy Vaughan, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Willie Dixon, Johnny Copeland, Robert Plant, and The Fabulous Thunderbirds.
ALL AGES ACTIVITIES
Come and explore the best activities and organizations that the South Coast has to offer! Learn more about what’s going on in your community and engage in free kids activities, art projects, giveaways, and LOTS of fun things to do!
12:30 – 1:30pm: BIG Bubbles Show with The Bubble Guy, Vinny Lovegrove
12:00 – 4:00pm: Free Caricatures with Boston Caricature
12:00 – 4:00pm: Free Photo Booth with Funfotos2go
2:00 – 4:00pm: Dinosaurs! Photo Ops and Fun with Tony Medeiros Entertainment
Local community and arts organizations will also host craft and art activities at their tables: participating organizations include: Children’s Museum of Greater Fall River, Community Autism Resources, Inc., Community Connections, Department of Children & Families Foster Parent Recruitment, FRACC (Fall River Arts & Culture Coalition), Fall River Pride Committee, Fall River Public Library Bookmobile, Fall River YMCA, MassNOW, Peaceful Petals Sensory Bus, People Incorporated, SouthCoast Creative Arts Lab, South Coast LGBTQ+ Network, The Trustees Mobile Adventure Van, and Viva Fall River.
This year’s Festival will join in celebrating Children’s Book Week—the nation’s longest-running celebration of books for young readers and the joy of storytelling—with a magical, immersive experience for children and families.
With support from Office of Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III, the Atrium of the Fall River Government Center will be transformed into interactive storybook zones, where beloved children’s book characters will step off the page and into real life. These engaging areas will not only delight young readers but also spark imagination, promote literacy, and inspire thoughtful conversations about the positive themes explored in their favorite books. Through storytelling, live interactions, hands-on activities, and fun giveaways, the Festival will bring the power of reading to life in a fun and meaningful way.
Story Safari Zone with the Fall River Public Library
- 12:00 – 2:00pm: Children’s Services Director David Mello will read a variety of beloved jungle-themed books, including selections from Dr. Suess and Shel Silverstein, and lead children in making a variety of safari crafts.
- 2:00 – 4:00pm: Volunteers from the local community will read additional selections and kids can engage in playing jungle-themed games.
We Love Local Authors!
Meet the storytellers from your own backyard! This special area features fun readings and activities with local authors who bring homegrown tales to life.
- 12:00 – 1:00pm: Author Joanie Woodward will read her delightful book Seven Little Monkeys and lead a “laughing yoga” session, as well as guide kids in a fun coloring activity.
- 1:00 – 2:00pm: Teen author Avery Motta, a student at B.M.C. Durfee High School, will share excerpts from her debut novel In the Game and take part in a moderated conversation about her path to becoming a published writer. She will also lead kids in their own story-writing activity.
- 2:00 – 3:00pm: Award-winning illustrator Nicole Wong will read one of the many children’s books she’s brought to life with her vibrant artwork. She’ll chat with kids about what it’s like to be an illustrator—turning words into pictures—and guide them through a fun, hands-on drawing activity of their own.
The Storybook Kingdom with A Piece of Cake Parties
Step into a world of wonder where storybooks come to life! Costumed characters bring beloved tales off the page with live readings, playful interactions, photo ops, and fairytale fun for all ages.
- 12:00 – 1:00pm: Queen Elsa from Frozen
- 1:00 – 2:00pm: Dino Ranger
- 2:00 – 3:00pm: Mickey Mouse
- 3:00 – 4:00pm: Bluey
DRAW! with SketchyGOIchie
Unlock your creativity with SketchyGOichie DRAW!, a hands-on digital art program designed for kids and young adults (ages 7+). They will lead a fast-paced, fun-filled drawing session where kids tackle the same art prompt in small groups (15–20 minutes per round). As spots open up, new artists can jump in and get sketching!
Whether you’re into Sonic, Mario, or a mash-up of both, get ready for guided drawing fun with a creative twist. Participants can download their masterpieces after the session—and walk away with some awesome giveaways too!