ArtsFest After Dark

Sure, there's a lot going on every day during ArtsFest 2026 with more than 40 venues presenting the work of more than 250 artists (visual artists, performers, artisans). But what about night life? There's plenty of fun happening after dark: Get a sneak peek below (all events are free unless otherwise noted) -- then go to www.newrochellearts.orgfor the complete ArtsFest calendar.

THURSDAY

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ArtsFest starts on Thursday, and several art exhibits remain open after hours: For example, until 7 pm you can visit Highbrook Studios (222 Highbrook Ave North, Pelham; 914-843-8808; @highbrookstudiosny ) , a multi-level space where you can meet multiple artists who will be showing and selling their work. There will also be home-made pastries for sale. And until 8 pm you can view art works in a variety of mediums at the Lumen Winter Gallery at the New Rochelle Public Library (1 Library Plaza, NR,914-632-7878, www.nrpl.org ). This is the New Rochelle Art Association's 110th Open Juried Show featuring artwork in 7 categories: Oil/Acrylic, Water Media, Sculpture/Fine Craft, Photography, Mixed Media, Graphic/Pastels, Digital Art.

Or you can get your hands dirty creating your own art at Town House Kitchen + Drinks (559 Main Street, NR; www.townhousekd.com) : From 5 pm to 9 pm help create a collaborative community mural on the third floor, where each participant will be assigned a space on the wall in Town House's Skylight Studio and provided with a blank canvas and necessary painting supplies to create their own unique house. This activity is free but you must reserve a time in advance by emailing thomas@townhousekd.com

The Gentleman's Lab is more than a barber shop, it offers advanced grooming and exceptional spa care for the modern gent – and for ArtsFest it's also a gallery space. Visit their two locations ( 584 A North Ave., 914-384-8662and 1291 North Ave.; 914-309-8600; https://www.thegentlemanslab.com) until 7 pm to view "Ordinary Magic," works by photographer and author/illustrator Marc Deliz and "Fragments of Light" by glass artist Gina Kingsley.

Music lovers know great albums have stories to tell. Liner Notes: A Deep Dive into Classic Albums is a new series that explores the music, artists, and cultural moments behind some of the most influential albums of all time. At 6 pm join other music fans to explore The Beatles' Let It Be. Presented by music aficionado Tyler Martinez. (New Rochelle public Library, 1 Library Plaza, NR,914-632-7878, www.nrpl.org )

If you like history retold with a little drama "Intended" is a new play by Amy Frey being staged throughout ArtsFest at the Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum (895 Shore Road, Pelham Bay Park; info@bpmm.org;718- 885-1461).Showtime tonight is 7 pm. The story follows Samuel Treadwell Pell, a young Continental Army captain eager to return home to his fiancée, Mary. But can their love can survive the political divide of the American Revolution? Before the performance Bartow-Pell educators will share the real story behind the historic events at Pell's Point in October 1776. Tickets cost $40; Senior/Student/Bartow-Pell Member: $35. https://bartowpell.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F49272

This year's free ArtsFest Kick Off Concert features New Rochelle's own indie rock band FROG at 7 pm at the Ossie Davis Theater (NRPL, 1 Library Plaza, NR,914-632-7878, www.nrpl.org) Currently on the road with their Frog For Sale Tour -- with shows across the United States and the UK -- FROG is bringing their distinctive sound back to their hometown to celebrate with the New Rochelle community.

There are two ticketed events Thursday night with very different vibes: Beyond the Headlines with Mo News will feature Emmy Award–winning Mosheh Oinounou, founder of Mo News , in a candid, engaging conversation with media expert Pamela Pekerman about the stories shaping our world and who's framing the content. (Bendheim Performing Arts Center, JCC Mid-Westchester, 999 Wilmot Road, Scarsdale; JCCMW.org ) Admission: $36. Register at https://operations.daxko.com/Online/4072/ProgramsV2/OfferingDetails.mvc?program_id=TMP37160&offering_id=SES1097198&location_id=B290

If jazz hands are more your style don't miss MINGO, a fun-filled evening of Musical Bingo hosted by DJ Geri Ann with great music, prizes, raffle baskets, a 50/50 raffle, a cash bar, and complimentary light refreshments at Alvin & Friends Restaurant (14 Memorial Hwy., NR; 914-654-6549; www.alvinandfriendsrestaurant.com) Best of all, 100% of the proceeds will support student performers from our community. Doors open at 6 pm; games begin promptly at 7 pm; tickets cost $47.84 from https://my.cheddarup.com/c/lets-mingo-for-a-cause-52841/items

And from 8 pm to 11 pm An Evening of Singer Songwriters at 18th Ward Brewing Taproom (40 Division St. NR) will feature artists talking about how they wrote their songs before performing them. Hosted by NRCA's Andrea Alexander and featuring Anita Rein, John Michael Hersey and Ellie Gilwit.

FRIDAY

The spoken word will be celebrated Friday night as the popular MOTH Story Hour returns with a Story SLAM (Trinity Episcopal Church Parish Hall, 311 Huguenot Street, NR ) This is a live, community-focused open-mic storytelling competition in which anyone can sign up to share a five-minute story on the night's theme, AMERICAN DREAMS. Ten lucky audience members, picked at random, will vie for the chance to be crowned the night's StorySLAM champion. Doors Open: 6:30 PM; show Starts: 7:30 PM. Refreshments will be available for sale. Admission is not guaranteed for late arrivals. Tickets cost $15 from https://www.themoth.org/tickets/american-dreams-23

Just across Ruby Dee Park another spoken word event is scheduled at 7:30 pm: Da Mic Is Open @ Jolo's (Jolo's Kitchen, 49 Lawton Street, NR; 914-548-6640) . All art accepted! Come to the Mic to freely express and display any art form. Participants get 5 minutes for the1st Round, 3 minutes for 2nd Round (If time permits). All ages are encouraged.

And at 9 pm NRCA Board member Dave Fabris will turn the NRCA office space (New Rochelle Train Station, 2nd floor) into a "Faboratory" Late Night Jam Session experimenting with spoken word and live music. Featuring spoken word artist Christian Morant, who will perform an engaging and self-affirming set of his original pieces, followed by the debut performance of the SCF Trio (featuring Blue Man Group bassist Tom Shad, percussionist Navy Band Veteran Raymond Carega and NewRo guitarist Dave Knife Fabris) who, after their own set of engaging instrumental music, will accompany Mr. Morant with an improvised collaboration as their encore! (Note: Stairs to this location may be difficult for people with mobility issues.)

Jazz fans won't want to miss Wayne Tucker Celebrates 100 Years of Miles Davis (7 pm at the Ossie Davis Theater, New Rochelle public Library, 1 Library Plaza, NR; 914-632-7878, www.nrpl.org ) This free concert will celebrate the centenary of legendary jazz trumpeter and composer Miles Davis with acclaimed trumpeter Wayne Tucker taking the audience on a musical journey from Bebop to Funk. Experience the evolution of one of jazz's most influential artists through the sounds and styles he helped shape. Note: This is an after-hours event at the NRPL: Enter/exit via the entrance on Memorial Highway.

Finally, if you're in the mood for a little mayhem you can visit The Haunt at Wildcliff Mansion (44 Wildcliff Drive, NR; www.hpcgreenhouse.org) tonight and Saturday night from 7 pm to 10:30 pm. Set within the ruins of the historic Wildcliff Mansion overlooking Echo Bay, this annual attraction brings immersive horror and cinematic design to one of Westchester's most storied properties. Recommended for adults, teens and children who love horror or haunted houses: Guests under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult and no babies or strollers will be allowed. This is a ticketed event: Timed tickets start at $25 per person athttps://www.hauntatwildcliff.com/dates-times

SATURDAY

On Saturday night there's time to stop at the Open Studio of Acupuncture Unlimited/Amelia E. Jones, L.Ac. (38 Lakeside Dr., NR; 914-356-2327; Acupuncture.Ultd@gmail.com ) This family-friendly event featuring artist market, open mic, literary pavilion and more is open until 6 pm.

History buffs (and people who like beer!) will want to head over to the Colonial Tavern Experience from 4:30 to 8 pm (18th Ward Brewing Taproom, 40 Division Street, NR;315-291-5276; 18thwardbrewing.com): For one night, this popular spot for craft beer will be transformed into a lively colonial tavern, with live music by the Tutti Bravi Singers, tavern games and a sing-along. Designed primarily for adults (21+); minors are welcome when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Presented in association with New Rochelle (America) 250 in collaboration with the New Rochelle Downtown Business Improvement District, the Thomas Paine Cottage Museum (Huguenot & New Rochelle Historical Association), and 18th Ward Taproom.

Cinephiles can join local film maker Delano Allen for Delano's Film Night at the Ossie Davis Theater (New Rochelle Public Library, 1 Library Plaza, NR,914-632-7878, www.nrpl.org ) from 5 pm to 8:30 pm. He plans to screen shorts and features, with some of the creators present for a follow-up discussion.

And at 7:30 pm NRCA's "Arts at the Station" series continues with a special evening "America, you in danger Gurl!" featuring Andrea "Alex Diamond" Alexander, a multidisciplinary artist, author, activist and community organizer whose work explores identity, race, history, power, community, unity and the complicated experience of being Black in America. This collaborative experience will connect artists through music, art and conversation. (NRCA Office at New Rochelle Train Station, enter from door on platform)

SUNDAY

Late Sunday afternoon there's still time to visit a few Open Artist Studios: Both Barry Mason and Emlyn Tavares are located in the same spot(Extra Space Storage Building, 320 Washington Street, Mt. Vernon) and open until 6 pm. Barry Mason (barrymasonart.com) is known for his colorful, abstract paintings on irregularlyshaped canvases while Emlyn Tavares' work is deeply rooted in storytelling and cultural significance (emlyntaveras.com). Parking available in front office parking lot -- entrance on Hartford Ave.

See a special performance of Athol Fugard's "My Children! My Africa!" at 5 pm at Alvin & Friends Restaurant (14 Memorial Highway, NR; 914-654-6549)Based on real events, this play tells the story of a teacher's attempt to bring understanding between two of his students, and through them, the peoples of their separated communities. Their journey does bring acceptance, but not without pain and tragedy along the way. Starring and directed by internationally celebrated Shakespearean theater actor Charles Frederick Secrease as Mr. M., and introducing Malin Glade of Brooklyn NY as Isabel and Justin Villard of Stamford CT as Thami.

The sun will set at approximately 6:13 pm on Sunday, and there should be stunning sunset views from Echo Bay Yacht Club ( 22 Pelham Road, NR; www.echobayyachtclub.com) which faces New Rochelle's marina and the tall ship Lynx, which will be moored there during ArtsFest as part of the Revolutionary Westchester 250 events taking place all weekend. From 1 pm to 7 pm visitors to EBYC can enjoy an art exhibit, live music, refreshments for sale and a lecture by City Historian Barbara Davis at 3 pm. But have your camera (or smart phone) ready for some breathtaking twilight shots.

Then as ArtsFest winds down stop in at Affogato House (48 LeCount Place; @affogatohouse.cafe) from 7 pm to 9:30 pm for an evening of live performance featuring lyric soprano Jacquelyn L. White, R&B and soul singer Sofia Emilia, and writer Caroline Reddy. Settle in with coffee, gelato, and small bites from the House. Curated by Alex Diamond.

Now in its 18th year, ArtsFest is organized by the non-profit New Rochelle Council on the Arts (NRCA) to spotlight the diversity of arts and artists in our community, with more than 40 venues representing the work of some 250 visual and performing artists. For the complete ArtsFest calendar go to www.newrochellearts.org

Sponsors for this year's ArtsFest include an Anonymous Donor, ArtsWestchester, Cappelli Organization, RXR Clinton Park, Waymo, The Gwendolyn Appleyard Trust Fund for New Rochelle Charities, M & T Bank,Town House Kitchen + Drinks, Alvin & Friends Restaurantplus in-kind donors AJ's Burgers, the New Rochelle Public Library, Hotel NoMa and the New Rochelle Downtown BID.

The New Rochelle Council on the Arts is proud to be a grantee of ArtsWestchester with funding made possible by Westchester County government with the support of County Executive Ken Jenkins.