• Where is the festival held?
  • At four stages throughout downtown Lowell, Massachusetts. There are stages located at Boarding House Park, outside yard at St. Anne’s Church, Arcand Drive, and Market Street. Download map here.
• How much does it cost to attend?
  • The performances and activities within the Festival are free to attend, but it is not free to produce. It costs over $1 million each year. When you are at the festival, please put some money in the buckets of the Bucket Brigade volunteers and rock some beads to show everyone that you support the festival! You can also donate online here.
• What is the festival schedule?
  • Friday evening: Kicking off with a dance parade at 6:15 p.m., the concerts are at Boarding House Park Stage from 7-10 p.m. and at the Dance Pavilion on Arcand Drive from 7-9 p.m.
  • Saturday: From noon to 6 p.m. on four stages, and from 7-10 p.m. on two stages
  • Sunday: from noon to 6 p.m. on four stages.
• Who are the artists & performers at this year’s festival?
  • ​Each year the Festival hosts diverse performers from all over the country and the world. Check out this year’s Performing Artists Page here for details. We also added street performers on the corner of Merrimack & Central Streets this year.
  • Click here for the time schedule of performers
• Food from around the world?
  • YES! Come and savor the many tastes of Lowell’s worldly cuisines. ALL global food vendors are from non-profit organizations. The tempting aromas promise a culinary and cultural experience. Non-profit organizations, mostly local, come together to prepare and sell the foods of their heritage. Their proceeds benefit numerous worthy projects and programs. As you enjoy these delicious foods, know you are supporting “green” concerns (paper plates and biodegradable utensils only) and good causes.
  • Click here for the menus and locations
• Are there exhibitors & sponsors?
  • Yes! These folks support the festival and help keep it free, so please stop by on Saturday & Sunday at Merrimack Street (Enterprise Bank side), Lucy Larcom Park (near St Anne’s Stage), Market Street for our 21+ space, Shattuck Street, Boarding House Park,  JFK Plaza as well. Please note that exhibitors/sponsors at JFK and Boarding House Park will be open Friday through Sunday, and other locations will be Saturday & Sunday only. Click here for more info on exhibitors and click here for more info on our sponsors.
• What is the Experience Lowell Arts Market?
  • Located in the Enterprise Bank parking lot at 222 Merrimack Street, this event will feature Lowell artists, makers, and organizations so that festival attendees and Lowell residents can experience everything that Lowell’s arts and culture community has to offer. This event is produced by Mosaic Lowell, in collaboration with the Lowell Folk Festival. Date and Time for Experience Lowell: Saturday, July 27th, 12pm – 7:30pm and Sunday, July 28th, 12pm – 6pm.
• Should I bring my kids?
  • Yes! The Lowell Folk Festival is attended by kids of all ages. In addition to the fantastic music throughout the Festival, there is a family activities area, and much more. The whole family will have a great time!
• Where can I park?
  • Parking is available at City of Lowell garages at day rates. Please note that downtown streets are re-directed and closed for the Festival. You can find details here.
  • Street closure info is available here
• Where can I get information while at the festival?
  • Information booths are situated around Downtown Lowell. Information is also available at the National Park Visitor Center at 246 Market Street.

The Lowell Folk Festival is produced and supported by the Lowell Festival Foundation, the City of Lowell, Lowell National Historical Park, the National Council for the Traditional Arts, the Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, and the Greater Merrimack Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Major support for the Lowell Folk Festival comes from Mass Cultural Council, Saab Family Foundation/Saab Center for Portuguese Studies, Gate City Casino, Richard K. and Nancy Donahue, Demoulas Foundation, John Hunnewell Trust, Middlesex Community College, UMass Lowell, Mahoney Oil/Eastern Salt, Mosaic Lowell, Joseph P. Donahue Charitable Foundation Trust, Hilton Garden Inn Tewksbury Andover, Mass Office of Travel & Tourism, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Anheuser-Busch, Gervais Auto Group, Corning, LAZ Parking, Owl Stamp Visual Solutions, All Sports Heroes, Enterprise Bank, Aubert Fay Foundation, Theodore Edson Parker Foundation, Lowell Litter Krewe, Mark-One, Jade Lowell, Lowell Sun Charities, Albert E. J. Bergeron Insurance Agency, The Lowell Plan, Lowell Development & Financial Corporation, Fred C. Church Insurance, Marte Media, and Dylan & Pete’s Ice Cream.

Thanks to our exhibitors: C4 Energy, Vinfen, All Energy Solar, EternalHealth, Kids In Tech, Leaf Filter, Lowell Humane Society, Momentum Solar, NRG, Prestige Heating & Cooling, Renewal by Andersen, Rescom Exteriors, School of Rock Nashua & Burlington, Senior Whole Health by Molina Healthcare, Smilebliss Orthodontics, TopNotch Pro Painting, JCSwain Enterprise, Lowell Kinetic Sculpture Race, Massachusetts Pirates Football, Advanced Cultivators, Cannabist, Full Harvest Moonz, Reverie 73, and Rise Dispensary.

Thanks to our business sponsors: Athenian Corner, Brew’d Awakenings, Cobblestones, El Potro, Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union, The Keep, Lowell Memorial Auditorium, The Old Court, and Sahel Restaurant & Lounge.

Thanks to our media sponsors: 92.5 The River, Chelmsford Telemedia, CK Communications Group, Inside Lowell, Lowell Telecommunications Corporation (LTC), Mill City Weather, Stub Stories, and WCAP.

Click here for the festival schedule

Click here to join the Bucket Brigade!