July 26-28 2024 The Festival is held the last full weekend of July annually.

At four stages and other locations throughout downtown Lowell, Massachusetts. There are stages located at Boarding House Park, St. Anne’s Churchyard, Arcand Dr., and Market St. (Festival Site Map & Directions Page) will be updated closer to the festival with a visitor walking map and performance schedule)

Following the success of hosting the National Folk Festival in Lowell for three years, 1987-1989, the producing partners and community continued the excitement with the Lowell Folk Festival in 1990. With hundreds of thousands of visitors attending annually, the experience is ever-changing. The six producing partners: The City of Lowell, the Lowell Festival Foundation, Lowell National Historical Park, the Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Merrimack Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the National Council for the Traditional Arts have continued organizing and presenting the Festival annually during the last full weekend in July. The National Folk Festival started in 1934 in St. Louis, MO. Since 1989, the National Folk Festival has continued to migrate around the country to Johnstown, PA; Chattanooga, TN; Dayton, OH; East Lansing, MI; Bangor, ME; Richmond, VA; Butte, MT; and Nashville, TN. The 2015-17 National Folk Festivals are held in Greensboro, NC.

Most of Downtown Lowell becomes Festival grounds for the three days of the Festival. With multiple performance stages, some folks settle in for an afternoon or evening at one stage. Others move around according to the schedule to experience the various venues, performances, and audiences. There are sunny and shaded stages, and there will be smiling faces all around. With a Family Activities Area, Experience Lowell Arts Market, savory ethnic foods, and so much more, everyone enjoys it “their way”.

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.

• 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 Dr. (across from the previous JFK Stage) from 7-9p.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.

Schedule of performances will be posted HERE closer to festival dates.

Each year the Festival hosts diverse performers from all over the country and the world. Check out this year’s Performing Artists Page for details on who will be on stage.

Please check the information at this link.

Your assistance would be greatly appreciated at the Festival.
Click here for more information.

Several ways in addition to volunteering… The Festival is always accepting additional sponsors. Click here for more information. If you’d like to donate to the Festival, click here …and thank you for your support!

Yes! The Lowell Folk Festival is attended by kids of all ages. In addition to the fantastic music throughout the Festival, there is a crafts demonstration area, a family activities area, and much more. The whole family will have a great time!

Massachusetts in late July can bring lots of different weather, and of course we’re keeping our fingers crossed for sunshine and cool breezes. However, to be realistic the temperatures average in the mid-80s, and the sun can be intense … so hats, sunscreen, and water are valuable for your comfort. There is also the chance of a sudden thunderstorm – venue changes will be announced from the stages if necessary.

The Festival carries on, whatever the July weather brings. Venue changes are announced from the stage when necessary.

• Sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat.
• Blanket or towel to sit upon in the grassy amphitheatre. You may bring low lawn chairs, but please be considerate of those sitting around you.
• If you’re blocking someone’s view, we’ll ask you to move.
• A sweater, sweatshirt, or windbreaker, for the evening concerts.
• Friends and Neighbors.
• A picnic lunch if you like. (See Is there food? below.)
• Extra spending money, for a souvenir t-shirt, CD, or to make a donation to keep the festival running!
  

• Skateboards
• Hover Boards
• Segways
• Bicycles (of any kind)
• Drones

All Festival venues are accessible for wheelchairs. Wheelchair accessible restrooms are available at the National Park Visitor Center, Boott Cotton Mills Museum, Downes (John Street) Parking Garage. Sign language interpreters are part of the performance at the Boarding House Park Stage and other selected stages.

The Festival is a busy place, and the setting is not the best for pets. However, if you must bring your dog, it must be licensed and leashed, comfortable with active crowds, cleaned up after, and please have water available regularly.

The Festival is easily accessable by car or public transportation.
Click here for directions.

Absolutely! Some folks come long distances especially because of the amazing variety of global foods available from non-profit organization vendors throughout the festival. There are tastes from around the world and good ol’ American fare as well. Click here for information about food sales at the Festival.

Yes, there places to stay in and around Lowell. View our Places to Stay page.

First aid is available throughout the festival. Stop at any of the information booths for assistance, or ask a uniformed National Park Service ranger or police officer for assistance.

Parking is available at City of Lowell garages at day rates. Please note that downtown streets are re-directed and closed for the Festival. More details on the Directions and Parking page.  

You bet! Dancing is encouraged throughout the Festival, particularly at the Dance Pavilion.

Information booths are situated around Downtown Lowell. Information is also available at the National Park Visitor Center at 246 Market Street.

Commercial vending is restricted during the festival. If you are a commercial vendor who would like information about permits during the festival, please contact Roberto Dei, City of Lowell Special Events Coordinator, at (978) 674-1482 or by email at RDei@lowellma.gov. Check the map for restricted commercial vending areas during the festival.