2025 LOWELL FOLK FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES THE PERFORMANCE LINE-UP FOR JULY 25-27 Beyond the Music: The Festival Features Experience Lowell Marketplace, Global Foods, and Discovery Lowell Playspace

The 2025 Lowell Folk Festival officially kicks off on Friday, July 25th at 6pm with Dynasty Productions from nearby Lawrence, MA, leading a Trinidadian Carnival Parade through the streets of Lowell. The event culminates at Boarding House Park with the Parade of Flags, representing the wide range of cultures found in the Merrimack Valley.

Since 1987—when the National Folk Festival first came to Lowell (becoming the Lowell Folk Festival in 1990)—this extraordinary public celebration of traditional music from around the world has become a fixture of New England’s summer calendar. The free, family-friendly event celebrating music, crafts, and culinary arts happens July 25–27 in downtown Lowell, MA.

Following Friday’s parade and kickoff event, the music continues at Boarding House Park with bluegrass by Crooked Road Revival, Irish music from Solas, and salsa dura from Edwin Perez y Su Orquesta. At the Rockland Trust Bank Dance Pavilion, catch Cajun legends BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet and Chicago blues from Lil' Ed & the Blues Imperials.

On Saturday and Sunday, more than 50 performances across four stages showcase traditional music and dance in an astounding range of styles. View the full lineup and schedule at lowellfolkfestival.org.

Experience Lowell Arts Market returns with over 40 local artisans, makers, and cultural organizations. Festival-goers can browse handcrafted goods like pottery, prints, artisan foods, and more.

Jessica O’Hearn, Director of Mosaic Lowell, said: “We are thrilled to host the Experience Lowell Arts Market for a third year. It’s an incredible way to connect with local talent and celebrate their work with thousands of Folk Fest visitors. I know attendees will enjoy exploring the market as much as we enjoy curating it.”

Global Foods remain one of the festival’s most beloved attractions. Local non-profits prepare dishes from Portuguese, Brazilian, Greek, Polish, Asian, Latin, African, Burmese and more cultures. Food booths are located near Boarding House Park, the Dance Pavilion, and the Saab Family Foundation Stage at Market Street.

New this year: the Discovery Lowell Playspace along Merrimack Street, led by the award-winning Discovery Museum in Acton, MA. It features youth-oriented partners offering interactive activities for young festival-goers.

The festival is produced by the Lowell Festival Foundation, City of Lowell, Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce, Greater Lowell Community Foundation, Lowell National Historical Park, National Council for the Traditional Arts, and Revolutionary Valley. Community partners include Mosaic Lowell and the Lowell Litter Krewe.

Major support comes from: Richard K. and Nancy L. Donahue Charitable Foundation, Saab Family Foundation, Rockland Trust Bank, Mass Cultural Council, Gate City Casino, Mass Office of Travel & Tourism, Lowell Cultural Council, F.W. Webb, LMTLSS Media, Demoulas Foundation, UMass Lowell, Middlesex Community College, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, and many more.

Business sponsors include: Adobe, Arts League of Lowell, Athenian Corner, Brew’d Awakenings, Cobblestones, El Potro, Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union, Koto Lowell Asian Fusion, Lazy Cat Lounge, La La Books, The Lowell Plan, The Old Court, Tescobar, Washington Savings Bank, Worthen House Cafe, and others.

Media Partners: 92.5 The River, Chelmsford Telemedia, CK Communications Group, Inside Lowell, Lowell Sun, Lowell Telecommunications Corporation (LTC), Mill City Weather, Stub Stories, and WCAP.