Lowell Folk Festival: Community Rallies to Keep Beloved Event Free for All in 2025

The heart of Lowell has once again proven its unwavering commitment to culture and community! After facing a significant funding setback when the National Endowment for the Arts rescinded grants earlier this year, the beloved Lowell Folk Festival is set to return in 2025, thanks to an incredible outpouring of local support and generosity.

Festival organizers were initially concerned about the future of the free, family-friendly event. However, the community responded with remarkable speed and enthusiasm. Long-time festival supporters stepped up with crucial naming sponsorships for three major performance stages, ensuring the music will continue to flow freely. Festival-goers can look forward to enjoying performances at the Rockland Trust Bank Dance Pavilion, the Richard K and Nancy L Donahue Foundation Stage at St. Anne’s, and the Saab Family Foundation Market Street Stage.

"We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support from the entire community," expressed Festival Director Lee Viliesis. "In addition to the new stage sponsorships, we were overwhelmed by the number of individual contributions we received from festival fans both near and far when they heard about the funding set-back."

Arthur Sutcliffe, board chairman of the Lowell Festival Foundation, added, "The NEA has been a valued partner for many years, and this change, while not unique to us, comes just as the cost of producing the festival continues to rise sharply. The festival has always been a community project, and as a non-profit organization, we have always relied on a combination of grants, sponsorships, and small donations."

The 38th annual Lowell Folk Festival will indeed go on as planned—free and open to all, filled with the vibrant music, rich traditions, and powerful community spirit that brings so many people together year after year. While the immediate crisis has been averted, the festival remains in active fundraising mode to cover the substantial costs of production and ensure its longevity. "If you’re looking to help in the cause, please visit lowellfolkfestival.org," urged Sutcliffe.

Jeffrey Tengel, President and Chief Executive Officer at Rockland Trust, underscored their commitment: “The Lowell Folk Festival is a living tribute to the city’s rich tapestry of traditions, stories, and cultures. Rockland Trust is honored to support an event so deeply rooted in everything that makes Lowell special.”

A World of Music and Culture Awaits!
The 2025 Lowell Folk Festival promises an exceptionally diverse lineup of world-class musicians. Prepare to be captivated by performances from:

• Cajun legend BeauSoleil
• Irish favorites Solas
• Blues rockers Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials
• Gospel ensemble The Bullock Brothers
• Flamenco dancer and singer LOS RICOS featuring Sonia & Ismael
• West Africa’s Bamba Wassoulou Groove
• Fado guitarist Ricardo Parreira
• Bluegrass group Crooked Road Revival
• Trinidadian Carnival mas group Dynasty Productions Carnival Parade
• Lowell-based Cambodian Angkor Dance Troupe
• Grammy-nominated Vasilis Kostas (music of Greece)
• Old-time country music with Martha Spencer & the Wonderland Country Band
• Renowned Tlingit storyteller Gene Tagaban
• New York-based salsa ensemble Edwin Perez y Su Orquesta
• Oghlan Bakhshi (traditional music from Iran)
• Pan Franek, Zosia & the Polka Towners

The full performance schedule and details can be found at lowellfolkfestival.org.

More Than Just Music: A Celebration of Community
Beyond the stages, the Lowell Folk Festival continues to be a rich tapestry of experiences. Savor delicious foods from around the world, prepared and sold by local non-profits representing New England's diverse cultures. Explore the Experience Lowell Marketplace, in partnership with Mosaic Lowell, showcasing area artists, craft makers, and organizations.

New this year, young festival-goers will delight in the Discovery Lowell Playspace, a collaboration with Discovery Museum, located along Merrimack Street, offering a wide range of interactive activities.

The Lowell Folk Festival is a true community effort, 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, with vital support from numerous community partners and generous sponsors.

Don't miss the 38th annual Lowell Folk Festival – a testament to the power of community and a vibrant celebration of culture, free and open to all!

For more information, including the full schedule, how to sponsor, or become an exhibitor, visit lowellfolkfestival.org.