You could dress up like a North Atlantic right whale. Learn about ways to keep the oceans clean. See what a right whale sees. And draw about what you learned.

These were some of the many activities available at the fifth annual New England Right Whale Festival held Sunday, May 6, 2018, at the New England Aquarium on Boston’s waterfront.

Co-hosted by the Aquarium and The Calvineers, a group of more than a dozen seventh- and eighth-graders who traveled from the Adams School in Castine, Maine, the festival provided a chance to learn from scientists from the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium, other local researchers, and educators about the efforts taking place in our backyard to protect this highly endangered species. 

Pictures from this year’s event:

Participating Organizations for 2018

The groups and organizations that participated were: 

• Irving
• Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life
• Boston Harbor Cruises
• Whale and Dolphin Conservation
• NOAA/Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary
• Massachusetts Environmental Trust
• South Shore Lobster Fishermen’s Association
• Author Angela Kakabeeke and the Earth Detectives
• Author Cheryl Lawton Malone
• ZUMIX, youth-run radio station in East Boston MA
• New England Aquarium Youth Programs
• K.E.E.P. Club – grades 5-8 environmental club at Driscoll School in Brookline
• The Calvineers, student organization from Adams School in Castine, Maine, that co-hosts New England Right Whale Festival

Coming Up: World Oceans Day

Looking for even more fun? Be a part of World Oceans Day at the Aquarium on Sunday, June 10. Vendors can also sign up for this event.

Past Festivals

Read about and see photos from the 2017 New England Right Whale Festival and who won our contests.