The 2026 Lowell Folk Festival will return to downtown Lowell from July 24–26 with three days of free performances, cultural programming, food, and family activities. The event coincides with the city’s bicentennial year.
Festival organizers have scheduled nearly 50 performances across four stages, with artists representing a wide range of musical and cultural traditions within the world music umbrella and other genres. The lineup includes Alash (Tuva throat singing), Authentic Unlimited (bluegrass), Catherine Russell (jazz), The Chankas of Perú (scissor dance), Dat Mighty 9 featuring Big Chief Romeo (Mardi Gras Indian music), Eastern Sound Orchestra (polka), Elida Almeida (Cabo Verdean funaná and batuque), Fabiola Mendez (Puerto Rican cuatro).
The lineup continues with Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie (zydeco), John Doyle & Friends (Irish music), Kunal Gunjal and Amit Kavthekar (South Indian santoor and tabla), Melissa Carper and Emily Gimble (classic country), Michela Musolino and Rosa Tatuata (Sicilian traditional music), Middlesex County Volunteers Fifes and Drums, Northern Kentucky Brotherhood Singers (African American a cappella gospel), Peniel Guerrier (Haitian dance), Super Chikan & the Fighting Cocks (Delta blues), Tres En Punto (trío romántico), and Wampanoag Nation Singers & Dancers.
Beyond the music program, the festival will feature the Mosaic Lowell Marketplace, Discovery Lowell Playspace, and Global Foods, each highlighting cultural traditions and community engagement.
Global Foods will offer cuisine prepared by local nonprofit organizations representing cultures from across New England. Food options will include Greek, Filipino, Hispanic, Jamaican, Polish, Portuguese, Middle Eastern, Indian, Armenian, Laotian, Liberian, Burmese, Cameroonian, and other African culinary traditions. Food vendors will operate at Boarding House Park, the Rockland Trust Bank Dance Pavilion, and the Saab Family Foundation Stage on Market Street.
Meanwhile, the Discovery Lowell Playspace will return to Merrimack Street between John and Central streets. Developed in partnership with the Discovery Museum of Acton, the area will feature hands-on activities such as sand play, water play, trains, magnets, bubbles, and community chalk art.
The Playspace Family Stage, located at the corner of Central and Merrimack streets, has expanded its schedule for 2026. Performances will run from noon to 4:30 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, with appearances by Wampanoag Nation Singers & Dancers and The Chankas of Perú among the featured attractions.
In addition, the Experience Lowell Marketplace will return to the Rockland Trust Bank parking lot at 222 Merrimack Street. The market will showcase work from local and regional artists, makers, and creative entrepreneurs, offering visitors access to handmade goods while supporting small creative businesses.
“The Experience Lowell Arts Market has become one of my favorite parts of Folk Festival weekend, “ said Jessica O’Hearn, Director of Mosaic Lowell, which produces the Marketplace. “It highlights the incredible talent that exists right here in our community. This year marks our fourth market, and we’re excited to once again provide artists and makers with an opportunity to share their work with the thousands of visitors who come to Lowell each summer. Supporting local artists and creative businesses strengthens not only our cultural identity, but also our local economy, and we’re proud to continue this tradition as part of one of Lowell’s most beloved events.”
For more information about the Lowell Folk Festival visit lowellfolkfestival.org.
(headline image: Lowell Folk Festival Boarding House Park. Photo credit: credit LMTLSS Media.)
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central