30th Annual Moby-Dick Marathon

Each January, readers and Melville enthusiasts from around the globe gather in New Bedford—the very port where Melville himself once set sail—to take part in a 25-hour, cover-to-cover reading of Moby-Dick. This extraordinary event transforms the Museum into a stage for literature, history, and community. Visitors can immerse themselves in Melville-inspired programs, including thought-provoking conversations with scholars, dramatic performances, hands-on activities for all ages, and behind-the-scenes experiences that bring Melville’s world vividly to life. The Marathon commemorates Melville’s 1841 departure aboard the whaleship Acushnet—the journey that would inspire one of America’s greatest novels. Thirty years on, the celebration continues to grow, uniting generations of readers, performers, and maritime enthusiasts in a shared quest for the elusive white whale. SATURDAY, JANUARY 3, 2026 9:30 AM – Stump the Scholars | Cook Memorial Theater (Lower Level) Submit your questions to Melville experts and try to stump them. Hosted by Marina Wells. Special pins for successful stumpers. 11:25 AM – Moby-Dick Extracts | A Whaling Voyage Around the World / Bourne Building (Main Level) Melville Society scholars read selected passages. VIP readers seated near the podium. 12:00 Noon – Start of the 25-Hour Marathon | A Whaling Voyage Around the World / Bourne Building (Main Level) Begins at the stern of the Lagoda with “Call me Ishmael.” Guest readers continue through Chapter 6. 1:30 PM – Father Mapple’s Sermon | Seamen’s Bethel and Harbor View Gallery (Upper Level) Wristband required for in-person seating. Wristbands are assigned via lottery system; click button below to add your name to the drawing. Livestream available in the Gallery. Hymn sheets provided with “The Ribs and Terrors in the Whale.” 1:30 PM – Portuguese Mini-Marathon | Cook Memorial Theater (Lower Level) Forty-eight readers perform a Portuguese adaptation by Tiago Patricio. Doors open at 1:30 PM; reading 2:00–6:00 PM. Celebration follows in Jacobs Family Gallery. 2:10 PM – Main Marathon Continues | Harbor View Gallery (Upper Level) Marathon resumes after Bethel reading and continues through the evening. 2:30 PM – Chat with Melville Scholars | Research Library (Main Level) Informal discussion with scholars in a roundtable setting. 3:00–6:00 PM – Make Your Mark | Classroom (Main Level) Craft your own bookmark (drop-in self-guided activity). Supplies available while they last. 4:00-5:00 PM – Meet & Greet Drop-in Session with Heidi Whitman | Center Street Gallery (Main Level) Meet the artist behind Ahab’s Head: American Vengeance, An installation, Heidi Whitman and reflect on Ahab’s obsession in Moby-Dick, and ties to American violence and public discourse. 6:30 PM – Cousin Hosea’s Chowder Hall and Decanter Taproom | Whales Today / Jacobs Family Gallery (Lower Level) Warm up with complimentary chowder or explore local food vendors (while supplies last). 7:30 PM – Midnight on the Forecastle (Chapter 40) | Cook Memorial Theater (Lower Level) Live performance by Culture*Park. NEW THIS YEAR: Seats will be assigned by lottery, like Seamen’s Bethel lottery, due to high demand and limited seating capacity. 8:00 PM – Start of Overnight Marathon Reading | Cook Memorial Theater (Lower Level) NEW THIS YEAR: overnight slots will be in 5-minute slots (as are the daytime slots) to accommodate additional readers. SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2026 8:00 AM – The 20th-Hour Treat | Whales Today / Jacobs Family Gallery (Lower Level) Complimentary coffee and malassadas while, supplies last. Additional food will be available for purchase. 8:00 AM – Marathon Relocates | Harbor View Gallery (Upper Level) Final leg of the Marathon until approximately 1:00 PM. 9:30 AM – Chat with Melville Scholars | Research Library (Main Level) Another opportunity for open conversation with scholars. 1:00 PM – Marathon Concludes | Harbor View Gallery (Upper Level) Museum remains open to the public until 4:00 PM.

Event Links

Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/3387054-0

Website: https://go.evvnt.com/3387054-2

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