The Lynn Arts & Culture Festival will take place on August 9, 2025, from 12:00 to 17:00. Starting at the intersection of Union Street and Exchange Street, the event is set to showcase a vibrant array of artistic expressions across the city. Attendees can take advantage of a free trolley service that will provide five stops throughout the festival area.
This year’s festival promises to be the most ambitious to date, according to Samantha Wheeler McHugh, the festival’s organizer. In a communication to The Daily Item, she expressed excitement over the expanded footprint, which will include more interactive art installations, pop-up performances, and dedicated spaces for emerging creatives and entrepreneurs. “This year emphasizes deeper engagement — with hands-on workshops, immersive art, and stronger partnerships with local businesses and cultural organizations,” Wheeler McHugh stated.
The festival aims to create opportunities for attendees to connect with Lynn’s culture in real-time. It integrates a broader range of grassroots-led cultural projects, including poetry workshops and music showcases, reflecting a more inclusive representation of the creative community. “This year’s festival also integrates a wider range of grassroots-led cultural projects that feed into the day’s energy,” she added.
Community Collaboration and Support
The festival is coordinated by Lynn Main Streets, which is overseeing downtown vendors and activation spaces. Additionally, the Lynn Museum/LynnArts is curating exhibitions and hosting artist-led programming. Partnerships with organizations such as Beyond Walls will introduce live mural-making and public art tours, while RAW Art Works and Outside the Box Learning Co. will offer interactive experiences tailored for youth and families.
Local businesses, including The Prime Building Vintage Shops and Lucille Wine Shop, are playing a vital role in transforming Exchange and Washington Streets into dynamic creative corridors. This collaboration underscores the festival’s commitment to celebrating Lynn’s artistic spirit.
Support for the festival also comes from the Creative Cities-funded MassDevelopment and the Lynn Cultural Council. Wheeler McHugh highlighted the festival’s significance in showcasing the city’s creative energy, stating, “In 2025, Lynn’s creative spirit is everywhere — you see it in murals, music, food, fashion, and the energy of people starting new projects or turning ideas into reality.”
Highlighting Lynn’s Cultural Scene
The festival not only aims to spotlight existing talent but also positions Lynn as a growing cultural destination. “Lynn’s creative scene is thriving because it’s inclusive, diverse, and constantly evolving,” Wheeler McHugh expressed. Festivals like this play a crucial role in increasing awareness of the vibrant and diverse community thriving within the city.
As excitement builds for the Lynn Arts & Culture Festival, residents and visitors alike can look forward to a day filled with creativity, connection, and celebration of the local arts scene, making it an event not to be missed.
