NEW EVENT DATES!
Friday, February 22 & Saturday, February 23, 2013
Due to the recent winter storm, the 13th Annual Lowell WinterFest has been RESCHEDULED for February 22 and 23.
Please note that this schedule is subject to change -- please visit this page often for event updates.
Friday, February 22
10AM - 3:15PM | Lowell Kids' Week Activities
Kids and families are welcomed to enjoy a variety of events throughout downtown Lowell! Visit LowellKidsWeek.org for program details.
5PM - 9PM | "Meeting of the Minds" Trivia Challenge - ONE NIGHT ONLY!
Registration is open -- click here for rules & registration details!
How quick are you with a buzzer? Are you smarter than a Fifth Grader? Come to the Pollard Library, take a break from the cold, and be a part of WinterFest's FIRST trivia challenge and see how many fun trivia questions you can answer -- all are welcome to play. Bake sale included from 4PM-8:30PM! Location: Pollard Memorial Library, 401 Merrimack Street
Trivia Challenge Event Breakdown
5pm-7pm / Preliminary Rounds
7pm / Semi-finals
8pm / Finals
6PM - 8PM | Lowla’s Kids' Party
Moms, dads and kids are welcome to warm up inside historic City Hall with face painting, music, and LIVE entertainment! Location: City Hall, 375 Merrimack Street
6PM - 9PM | Hot Roasted Marshmallows
Sponsored by the Lowell Rotary Club. Donation: $3 per stick. Location: Arcand Drive
6:15PM | 2013 Lowell WinterFest Opening Ceremonies
Kick off the 13th Annual Lowell WinterFest at the Official Opening Ceremonies with a live performance of our National Anthem, the first-ever Crowning of WinterFest's King & Queen, and a dynamic live Fire Hoop/Fire Dance Performance by Hydra! Location: Trinity EMS Dogsled Track, Arcand Drive
6:30PM - 9:30PM | National Human Dogsled Competition
Team Registration is STILL OPEN -- click here to register your team!
Sponsored by Trinity EMS. Following Opening Ceremonies, the competition begins! Come cheer on your favorite Human Dogsled Team as they try for the coveted prize of National Champion! The Official Best Costume Award Ceremony will take place following Friday's races! Location: Trinity EMS Dogsled Track, Arcand Drive
* 6:30PM - 12AM | Polar Party @ Club Celsius - LIVE MUSIC!
21+ only, $5 cover charge
Warm up with food, beverages and great live music in WinterFest's giant heated tent -- the place to be! Location: Arcand Drive
Friday Live Music Schedule at Club Celsius
7pm - 12 midnight / Evan Goodrow Band
7PM - 9PM | North Bowl Soup Competition - Day 1
Sponsored by Lowell General Hospital. Fourteen of the area’s finest chefs, restaurants and caterers compete for two top prizes: People’s Choice and the Juried Prize. Admission: $5/pp at the door, cash only. Location: Masonic Center, 79 Dutton Street
7PM - 10PM | 2nd Annual Microbrew Showcase & Competition
Admission: $25/pp, 21+ only (valid photo ID needed for entry)
Click here to purchase advance tickets securely online or purchase with cash only at Major's Pub, 197 Market Street, downtown Lowell. Sponsored by LowellBank & organized by Major's Pub. Enjoy live entertainment as you sample a variety of craft beers from the finest local and regional microbrews -- be sure to cast your VOTE for your favorite brew! Location: Fahrenheit Sponsor Tent, Fr. Morissette Blvd.
7:15PM & 7:45PM | LIVE Firedance Performances by Hydra - TWO SHOWS!
Local firedance troupe Hydra brings their dynamic show to WinterFest -- enjoy their performances AND see how it's all done with interactive audience demonstrations!
Location: JKF Plaza near City Hall
8PM - 2AM | XFest 2013
Take in this FREE weekend festival of improvised movement, visuals, music, and poetry, taking place at Lowell's 119 Gallery, UnchARTed Gallery, and Lowell Telecommunications Corporation (LTC). Visit 119Gallery.org for the full schedule of events!
Saturday, February 23
11AM - 12:30PM | Youth Matters Media Festival at Pollard Library
Watch a variety of locally produced films and vote for your festival favorites -- awards will be given in a variety of categories! All are welcome! For more information, call Beth Brassel at 978-674-1543 or visit YouthMattersLowell.com. Location: Pollard Library, 401 Merrimack Street
11AM - 4:30PM | Lowell Kids' Week Activities
Kids and families are welcome to enjoy a variety of events throughout downtown Lowell! Visit LowellKidsWeek.org for program details.
11AM - 4PM | All-You-Can-Eat Chocolate Festival
Event includes free kids activities. Admission: $5 (kids under 5 admitted free). Location: St. Anne's Episcopal Church Hall (behind the church), corner of Merrimack and Kirk Streets
12 Noon - 4PM | Mascot Madness & Winter Warmer Specials
Get info on downtown dining specials and meet 'n greet with some of Lowell's most beloved mascots, including Lowla Bear! Location: Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce, 131 Merrimack Street
12 Noon - 12AM — Polar Party @ Club Celsius - LIVE MUSIC!
Free admission & all ages before 6PM! After 6PM, 21+ only and $5 cover charge
Warm up with food, beverages and great live music in WinterFest's giant heated tent! Location: Arcand Drive
Saturday Live Music Schedule at Club Celsius
1:30-3pm / Merrimack
3:30-5:30pm / Three Way
5:30pm - Tent is open to the public for Laser Light Show Finale!
7:30pm-12 midnight / Joshua Tree (Premiere U2 Tribute Band)
12 Noon - 5:30PM | Mittens, Market & Museum Madness
WinterFest's indoor family-friendly play space offers face painting, balloonists, music, kids games, craft activities, PLUS an indoor market! Location: Lowell High School Cafeteria, 50 Arcand Drive
12 Noon - 6:30PM | Hot Roasted Marshmallows
Sponsored by the Lowell Rotary Club. Donation: $3 per stick. Location: Arcand Drive
12 Noon - 4PM | LIVE Ice Sculpture Demonstration
Watch the ice come to life at WinterFest's Ice Sculpture Demonstration -- can you guess what the artist is creating?
12 Noon - 4PM | Horsedrawn Carriage Rides in Downtown Lowell
Take a relaxing loop around downtown on Charmingfare Farms' Horsedrawn Carriage -- FREE rides for all ages! Location: Departs at the corner of Kirk Street & Merrimack Street (at St. Anne's Churchyard)
12 Noon - 2AM | XFest 2013
Take in this FREE weekend festival of improvised movement, visuals, music, and poetry, taking place at Lowell's 119 Gallery, UnchARTed Gallery, and Lowell Telecommunications Corporation (LTC). Visit 119Gallery.org for the full schedule of events!
1PM - 4PM | North Bowl Soup Competition - Day 2
Sponsored by Lowell General Hospital. The competition continues! Come vote for your favorite hot soup at one of WinterFest's premiere events! Admission: $5/pp at the door, cash only. Location: Masonic Center, 79 Dutton Street
3PM - 5:30PM | National Human Dogsled Competition FINALS
Team Registration is STILL OPEN -- click here to register your team!
Sponsored by Trinity EMS. The competition comes to a close! See the final competitors and cheer on your favorite -- only one team will win the title of National Champion! Location: Trinity EMS Dogsled Track, Arcand Drive
5PM - 8PM | Gallery Reception for the Zeitgeist Coop
Come to the Zeitgeist Coop Gallery Grand Opening Celebration and Show! Paintings, prints, mixed media, sculpture, photography, jewelry, and ceramics by 16 local artists will be represented. Public is welcome, refreshments served. Raffle with prizes donated by local artists and businesses! Location: Zeitgeist Gallery, 167 Market Street
5:40PM | WinterFest's Light & Laser Show Grand Finale - New for 2013!
Doors open at 5:30PM! Club Celsius, WinterFest's GIANT heated tent, becomes the premiere venue for this year's Light & Laser Show Grand Finale where YOU the audience can be immersed in the show! Location: Club Celsius Tent, Arcand Drive
7PM | FREE Latin Music & Dance Night with Alexander Faria & His Quinteto
Presented by the Lowell Folklife Series. Learn the basics of bachata and merengue dance of the Dominican Republic with Lowell National Historical Park Ranger Victor Medina. Then, listen and dance to the music of Alexander el Cantante and his Quinteto for a spectacular night of music and dance! Born in Venezuela, Alexander Faria began singing and performing as a child. He came to Boston in 1995 and has been active in the Latin music scene ever since. Seating will be provided, however ample space will be left open for dancing! Visit NPS.gov/lowe for more information. Location: Boott Mills Museum Counting House (2nd Floor), 115 John Street
* Don't forget ... On Friday & Saturday, the party Continues at Club Celsius
through 12 Midnight! (21+ after 6PM)