The **Lynn Arts & Culture Festival** is set to transform the city this Saturday, **August 9, 2025**, from **12:00 to 17:00**. Taking place at the intersection of **Union Street** and **Exchange Street**, the festival will offer free trolley services with five designated stops across Lynn, making it accessible to a wide audience.
Festival organizer **Samantha Wheeler McHugh** expressed her enthusiasm for this year’s event, describing it as the most ambitious festival to date. “We’re expanding the footprint to include more interactive art, pop-up performances, and spaces that showcase emerging creatives and entrepreneurs,” she noted in a statement to **The Daily Item**. This year’s theme focuses on fostering deeper engagement through hands-on workshops, immersive art experiences, and enhanced collaborations with local businesses and cultural organizations.
The festival’s programming highlights grassroots-led cultural projects that will energize the event throughout the day. Activities will range from poetry workshops to music showcases, aiming to reflect a broader and more inclusive representation of Lynn’s vibrant creative community. Wheeler McHugh emphasized the importance of community involvement, stating, “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.”
Community Partnerships and Local Involvement
The festival is coordinated by **Lynn Main Streets**, which is responsible for organizing downtown vendors and activation spaces, while **Lynn Museum/LynnArts** curates exhibitions and hosts artist-led programming. Additional partners, including **Beyond Walls**, will contribute live mural-making and public art tours that bring the streets to life. Organizations such as **RAW Art Works** and **Outside the Box Learning Co.** are also involved, providing interactive experiences designed for youth and families.
Local businesses play a pivotal role in this event, with establishments like the **Prime Building Vintage Shops** and **Lucille Wine Shop** helping to transform **Exchange** and **Washington Streets** into lively creative corridors. This collaborative effort aims to enhance public awareness of Lynn as a burgeoning cultural destination.
Celebrating Lynn’s Creative Scene
Support for the festival comes from **MassDevelopment**, funded by **Creative Cities**, as well as the **Lynn Cultural Council**. Wheeler McHugh articulated the essence of the festival, stating, “Creativity doesn’t just live in galleries or studios — it’s in how people show up for each other, collaborate, and make things happen.”
The festival seeks to not only showcase existing talent but also to elevate Lynn’s status as a vibrant cultural hub. “Lynn’s creative scene is thriving because it’s inclusive, diverse, and constantly evolving,” Wheeler McHugh added. Events like the Lynn Arts & Culture Festival are crucial for increasing awareness of the city’s artistic landscape and inviting both residents and visitors to engage with its rich cultural offerings.
With a diverse lineup of activities and an emphasis on community connection, the **Lynn Arts & Culture Festival** promises to be an enriching experience for all attendees, reinforcing the city’s commitment to celebrating creativity in all its forms.