Featured image credit: Lowell Winterfest in Lowell, Massachusetts

On Friday-Saturday, February 22-23, the town of Lowell, Massachusetts, comes alive with street performers, food trucks, winter market, ice skating, street curling, old-fashioned carousel rides, and special illuminations spotlighting the town’s canals and City Hall.

Admission is free, except for these separate ticketed events:

• Thirteen local restaurants and organizations prepare special soups and chowders for Richard Rourke Memorial Soup Bowl Competition, noon-2:30 p.m. February 23, at the Masonic Center on Arcand Drive. Vote for your favorite creations. Tickets are $6 per person and available only at the door.
• The All You Can Eat Chocolate Festival is a treat for your palate and eyes. It’s on February 23, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, 8 Kirk Street. Tickets are $7 per person and available only at the door.

The skating rink returns to the JFK Arena for the second year in a row. It’s an artificial rink, so the ice doesn’t melt. Bring your own skates or rent a pair at the arena. Hours are 5-10 p.m. Friday and noon-10 p.m. Saturday.

There’s live music both nights from the Squires of Soul, Evan Goodrow Band, Sonic Avionics, and Bo Joeman and the Sarcasmatics. All shows are in the JFK Tent (view set times).

Check out the full festival schedule.

For more information, visit the Lowell Winterfest website or call (978) 674-4260.

Lowell is 30 miles northwest of Boston.