MAIN Travel USA Massachusetts Lowell Folk Festival

The last full weekend in July is the traditional date for the Lowell Folk Festival, which has run almost every year since it first began in 1990.

And, this year New England's biggest folk fest returns from July 26-28, 2024!

Watch for the Lowell Folk Festival to kick off on Friday evening at the traditional dance parade followed by two full days of folk performances (and food!) until Sunday, July 28, 2024.

Admission? It's all free!

Lowell Folk Festival Lineup

As usual, major headliners lend the Lowel Folk Festival a truly international feel. Last year's performances ranged from blues and Western swing to African dance troupes.

Meanwhile, keep it here for updates when the complete festival lineup is announced in July.

Getting around

Generally, the weekend festival kicks-off with a downtown parade on Friday evening with the first of many performances staged at the Dutton Street Dance Pavilion.

Other weekend festival venues in downtown Lowell traditionally include Boarding House Park, JFK Plaza, Market Street, Lee Street, St. Anne's Churchyard, and the corner of John and Merrimack Streets.

Or, just follow the crowds to a variety of stages to sample some of the best folk performances on the planet.

All about the Lowell Folk Festival

Like many music festivals that dot the country, the Lowell Folk Festival can trace its beginnings to the National Folk Festival, which Lowell hosted from 1987 until 1989. The National Folk Festival is now a moveable feast nationwide, but in Lowell the love of folk music that the festival had inspired continues to endure.

Today, the Lowell Folk Festival is billed by organizers as being the largest free music festival in the United States, drawing in almost 200,000 people annually from the local area, the country, and beyond.

Kicking off with the Friday parade, the Lowell Folk Festival is an entire weekend of Bluegrass, Celtic,
New Age Jazz music and more -- including food, craft demonstrations,, and a family-friendly vibe.

Every year, for the three days that the music festival runs, much of the historic cobblestone downtown area is transformed in to grounds for the music festival. There are six stages, which host music most of the day, and festival goers are free to wander from stage to stage, taking in whatever music they like.

Food also features prominently at the festival. Local ethnic organizations come together to provide food ranging from Asian and Filipino specialties to Jamaican and soul food.

The Lowell Folk Festival is also very child friendly! Parents are encouraged to bring their kids to enjoy the music, and kids can also participate in the family activities or take in the crafts demonstration area.

Have fun.

More about the Lowell Folk Festival around the Web:

2024 Lowell Folk Festival - Check out the official site with the complete current schedule and list of performers, ethnic food menu, crafts & kids activities, maps & directions, FAQ.

Lowell Folk Festival on Instagram - Get an eyeful of the latest scene taking place at Lowell including photos of past festivals.

Lowell Folk Festival on Flickr - View local scenes and musical performers in a large photo gallery taken at the festival.

also see -> Big E - Big Eastern States Exposition