Kids Rule on July 11 AHA!

What happens when kids take over downtown New Bedford? Find out July 11 when “Kids Rule” at AHA! Hit the streets and enjoy a night jam-packed with summer sounds, climbing walls, and hands-on activities for the kid in all of us.

AHA! (Arts, History and Architecture!) is a free family-friendly event held rain or shine on the second Thursday of each month from 5 to 9 p.m. in historic downtown New Bedford.

Here’s just a sample of what’s happening at AHA! For a full list of activities, visit www.ahanewbedford.org

Touch the sky! Carabiner’s Climbing brings their mobile wall for climbing adventures. Helmets and harnesses provided.

Head to Wing's Court for a New Bedford Star Chasers Demo, bubble magic with the Bubble Guy, clowning around with the Smile Factory Clowns, a Dance Clinic performance, crafts with Mass Audubon Allens Pond, and more.

Eat s’mores, make crafts and dance! It’s a party at Dream Out Loud Center.

Rock out with Hip Hop in the Garden Art and Music Series, featuring live music and dance performances, plus creative chaos with Doodles Creative Sessions. Presented by 3rd EyE Youth Empowerment and the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. Plus a make-and-take activity with the 1850s Ladies, an art opening, and a visit from Hetty Green (the Witch of Wall Street!)

It’s the Little Portuguese Feast in Custom House Square! Enjoy culture, music and Folkloric dances with children from the Portuguese Discovery Academy, flower-decorating and floats.

Head to the New Bedford Public Library, for sea creature encounters with the Lloyd Center and Rhythm Room drumming lessons.

Play field games and try an obstacle course on the lawn of the Seamen's Bethel with Little People's College.

The Southcoast Children's Chorus Summer Sing! campers perform their summer program at the First Unitarian Church.

The SouthCoast Children's Theater performs songs from “The Little Mermaid" on the New Bedford Whaling Museum Plaza.

You’re invited to an open house at Mass Escape. Preview the new escape room, enjoy cookies, and more.

Kids can pick up a free superhero-inspired eye mask at LOVEmoda. Plus live music and light refreshments.

Bring your walking shoes for “VIP: Notable People in New Bedford History” guided walking tour, presented by the New Bedford Preservation Society. Start at Friends Meeting House (83 Spring St.) at 6 p.m.

Head to the opening reception for “To Have and To Hold: Family Weddings Remembered” at the Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum. Plus croquet on the lawn.

#FrederickDouglasslivedhere: Explore the Nathan and Polly Johnson House and walking tours of 7th Street.

Head to the Co-Creative Center for Behind Poetic Kinetics, and Ofrenda: a community art installation.

Head to the New Bedford Whaling Museum for “Lighting the Way: Historic Women of the Southcoast” walking tour.

Plus author Anthony J. Connors discuses his book “Went to the Devil: A Yankee Whaler in the Slave Trade.”

Hear songs and scenes from the New Bedford Festival Theater’s upcoming production of “Mama Mia” on the New Bedford Whaling Museum Plaza.

Centre Street Sessions hosts a pop-up jazz concert presented by Whaling City Sound, featuring Eric Wyatt, Jim Robitaille, Bill Miele, and Chris Poudrier.

Gallery X hosts two new shows: X-Scapes and The Art of Jeffrey Fallon.

Check out “Silver Current” in Custom House Square. Inspired by the motion of schools of fish, artist Patrick Shearn’s signature Skynets are a constant reminder of nature moving around us.

Head to the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center for the opening of “Something's Fishy: The Art of Paul Helgesen”.

Plus a screening of the animated film, “Widow's Peak.”

You’re invited to the opening reception for “Some Things We Do Together,” works by Megan and Murray McMillan at NBAM/Artworks!

As part of DATMA's Summer Winds program series, the Seaport ArtWalk presents this year's selection of sculptures created by BCC and UMass-Dartmouth students.