The 50th anniversary of Cabo Verde’s independence, July 5, 1975, celebrates the day in which Cape Verde officially declared its independence from Portugal. Approximately 70,000 Cape Verdeans live in Massachusetts. Historically, one of the major factors that brought Cape Verdeans to Massachusetts was the whaling industry.
Each year, Boston and New Bedford hold festivities for Cabo Verde’s Independence Day. This year, New Bedford officially designated July as Cabo Verdean Heritage Month thanks to a multi-year initiative led by Candida Rose Baptista.
“This historic celebration recognizes the Cape Verdean community’s enduring legacy of tradition, resilience, and achievement. It represents a citywide commitment to deepening historical and cultural knowledge of Cabo Verde and its vibrant diaspora through education, artistic expression, and community unity” (Source: “New Bedford launches first Cabo Verdean Heritage Month in July. Here's how to celebrate,” Southcoast Today).
Ways to Celebrate
Cabo Verde Independence Day Festival
Friday, July 4, 2:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Boston City Hall Plaza
The Cape Verdean Association of Boston hosts the annual Independence Celebration at Boston City Hall Plaza on the date of July 4. The festival environment helps to showcase Cape Verdean culture, art, music, and food in a family friendly environment.
Celebrate All Month Long in New Bedford
Various dates and locations
Celebrate the food, music, history, and cultural pride of New Bedford’s Cabo Verdean community during Cabo Verdean Heritage Month. We have spotlighted a few of the events below. Check out the Cabo Verdean Heritage Month calendar for a full list of events.
Casting a Wider Net Traveling Exhibit
Wednesday, July 2 – Friday, August 1
Cape Verdean Veterans Memorial Hall
New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center (FHC) is pleased to announce the opening of Casting A Wider Net, an exhibit exploring the stories of Cape Verdean, Vietnamese, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Guatemalan, and Salvadoran members of New Bedford’s working waterfront at the historic Verdean Veterans’ Memorial Hall (561 Purchase Street, New Bedford). The exhibit will open to the public on Wednesday, July 2, at 6:00pm with a free event. The exhibit will remain on display at the Vets through August 2025 and will then travel to locations throughout the community.
La Soul Renaissance’s 3rd Annual Cape Verdean Poetry Festival
Thursday, July 3 at 7:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Cape Verdean Veterans Memorial Hall
La Soul Renaissance, a collective which sits “in the intersection of grass roots organizing, cultural arts, & digital media,” is proud to present its third annual Cape Verdean Poetry Festival, to be held at the Cape Verdean Veterans Memorial Hall on the evening of July 3rd, 2025. This festival will honor the 50th anniversary of Cabo Verde’s independence, featuring performances by local spoken word artists, activists, and visionaries such as Maia Livramento, Shokanti, Doraliza Simas, Cynthia Mendes, and many more!
53rd Cape Verdean Recognition Parade and Kultura Fest
Friday, July 4 at 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Buttonwood Park
Parade route is Union St. to Acushnet Ave., to Grinnell St., to Purchase St, and ends at Cape Verdean Veterans Memorial Hall. The Kultura Fest will have live music, vendors, cultural foods, and much more.
Musical Presentation, Part I: “KabuMerikanus – The Sum of US: Exploring the Cabo Verde – United States Musical Connection and Legacy”
Sunday, July 13 at 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Candida Rose Baptista will be sharing a Part I presentation of “KabuMerikanus – The Sum of US” during this second stop on her New Bedford Tour: July 13th, at the Cape Verdean Veterans Memorial Hall! This musical presentation will dive into the history and context surrounding the transnational musical exchanges between Cabo Verde and the United States throughout their interlinked histories.
Communication developed by Kristina England.