Events in Lawrence today

An inviting Saturday Artist Workshop takes place in the hall behind First Church of Christ on Bradford Common. Creators of all ages, experience levels, and mediums are welcome to make art in a relaxed setting, with choices that include portrait studies with a live model or still life using a prepared arrangement. Throughout the session, Mark Hayden, a Copley Master and art teacher, offers supportive one-on-one guidance without pressure. Bring your own materials. You can work at your own easel, settle in at a table, sketch from your lap, or use the floor. Chairs and tables are available. Walk-ins are welcome, and no advance registration is needed. A $5 contribution is requested and appreciated. Those interested in being a portrait model can register for a sitting and receive a $25 stipend.

St. Augustine Parish hosts a community electronics recycling day focused on clearing out old tech and keeping hazardous materials out of landfills. Acceptable items include nearly anything with a plug or batteries, along with reusable bicycles, and everything is processed responsibly. The event takes place rain or shine and is open to participants from any community. Upon arrival, follow posted cones and staff directions, pull up near the collection trucks or dumpsters, and remain in your vehicle while workers handle unloading. Fees vary by item type. Items at 5 dollars each include computer towers, laptops, DVD players, VCRs, small printers, stereos, radios, alarm clocks, speakers, video game consoles, table lamps, fans, hair dryers, curling irons, projectors, power tools, drills, cameras, clocks, trophies, frying pans, holiday lights and other small electronics. Items at 10 dollars each include small household appliances, vacuum cleaners including robotic models, toaster ovens, ceiling fans, floor lamps, air fryers, electric grills, hot plates, small radiators, keyboard pianos, coffee makers, ice makers, sewing machines, car seats and strollers. Items at 20 dollars each include flat screen computer monitors, microwaves, dehumidifiers, air conditioners, water coolers, large printers and copiers, leaf blowers, chainsaws, heat lamps, artificial Christmas trees, fire extinguishers and empty propane tanks. Items at 25 dollars each include televisions up to 26 inches, CRT monitors, outdoor grills and dorm size refrigerators. Items at 30 dollars each include televisions between 26 and 35 inches, white goods such as washing machines, dryers, stoves and dishwashers, as well as large appliances and yard equipment including treadmills, exercise machines, snow blowers, lawn mowers, rototillers, large generators, motors and water tanks. Items at 35 dollars each include televisions over 36 inches and large refrigerators. Projection televisions are 40 dollars each. There is no charge for cell phones, reusable bicycles, video game media and accessories, wires, cables, chargers, car and truck batteries, DVDs, keyboards and tablets, and cash donations are appreciated for these no fee items. Computer hard drives are destroyed during processing, and drives can also be removed on site for an additional charge. Cash is preferred for payment, and checks are accepted for totals over 30 dollars.

Children and teens are welcome at a relaxed weekly meet-up focused on chess, where participants can play, pick up new strategies, and connect with peers. The drop-in format suits all experience levels, with friendly games and guidance from mentors. Taking place at Nevins Memorial Library, this gathering offers a supportive way to build skills and make new friends.

Celebrate the flavors, sights, and sounds of Asia at a lively market and festival. Vendors will serve Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, Korean, Indian and other regional dishes alongside handmade crafts and artisan gifts. The program includes cultural performances, activities for families and kids, and a wide selection of fashion, home decor, and lifestyle products to explore. Admission is free. Presented by the Nathika Thai-America Cultural Foundation and Nathika Events LLC.

The well-known garage sale returns with exceptional bargains on printing presses and other print shop equipment, a wide variety of type, many kinds of metal cuts, supplies, inks, paper, books, prints and artwork, ephemera, and gifts, along with other unexpected finds. Additional details will be announced soon.

Currier Square performs at Willow Spring Vineyards with a set that blends original folk and folk-rock with cover songs. This live music event takes place in a vineyard setting in Essex County.

Christone “Kingfish” Ingram channels Delta roots while reshaping where the blues can go next. His latest release, Hard Road, arrives on his Red Zero Records label and widens his sound with fresh urgency and deeper emotion. Executive production comes from Ingram and Ric Whitney, with production by Patrick “Guitar Boy” Hayes, Nick Goldston, and longtime collaborator Tom Hambridge. The album connects timeless blues to the broader landscape of contemporary Black music. Songs like Nothin’ But Your Love and the fiery Voodoo Charm fuse classic licks with hard rock, gritty funk, soulful pop, and smooth R&B, putting his voice and songwriting on equal footing with his formidable guitar work. Raised in Clarksdale, Mississippi, he first drew attention as a teenager. Inspired by B.B. King, Albert King, and Buddy Guy, he expanded the tradition by weaving in funk, soul, rock, pop, and jazz. His debut, Kingfish, topped Billboard’s Blues Albums chart for 91 weeks and earned a GRAMMY nomination along with three Blues Music Awards including Album of the Year. The follow up, 662, won the GRAMMY and the Blues Music Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album. Live In London added another GRAMMY nod, a second Blues Music Award for Album of the Year, and a third straight win for Best Contemporary Blues Album. He describes this chapter as a moment to spotlight his voice and songwriting as much as his guitar.

A Puerto Rican festival takes place in Lowell, Massachusetts. Its title references both the United States and Puerto Rico.

The Silver String Slingers present a tribute to Jerry Garcia’s acoustic legacy at Rapscallion Brewery, marking the 31st anniversary of his passing. The program features two sets of Dawg Music, drawing on his collaborations with David Grisman and the bluegrass, folk, and roots blend at the heart of his music. Free entry.

Mahadev Entertainment brings the Gujarati comedy stage hit Gujjubhai Ni Exchange Offer, headlined by Siddharth Randeria, back to Boston at the Andover High School Auditorium. Expect an evening of Gujarati theater filled with laughs. Food from Choice Indian Restaurant will be available for purchase and pre-order, with orders delivered during the intermission. Tickets are available and seats are in high demand.

Ripe brings a story shaped by basement rehearsals and hand-to-hand hustle, from crafting early songs beneath a sandwich shop to selling first tickets outside a friend’s coffee spot. At the heart is a tight-knit partnership built on collaboration and community, a bond that feels like family and keeps evolving beyond any single snapshot. The current chapter finds the band charged with joyful momentum, with new music in the world and more on the way, creating in long-dreamed-of studios in a city they fought to fully embrace, working with a producer whose records guided their early years alongside trusted musical companions. What unfolds is a tribute to layered nostalgia and energizing change, with the group going all in to pursue a meaningful connection with listeners.

Sports Zone 101 offers a high energy summer program in Methuen for kids who want to play a wide mix of games. Participants rotate through soccer, dodgeball, football, kickball, pickleball, hockey, basketball, and more while building sportsmanship, learning strategy, and exploring fun sports stats. Every participant receives a pack of sports cards each day. The season includes rotating themes such as NE Patriots Week, Cartoon Week, Kids vs. Coaches Week, Mystery Week, and a Grand Finale Week. Full day and half day options are available, along with drop in days, with pricing at $150 for residents and $160 for nonresidents for full day, $115 and $125 for half day, and $40 and $50 for drop in.

This free summer series offers evening activities most nights, with futsal at DCR Riverfront Park and the SLE/Breen School courts, soccer at Pavilion Park, and cooking classes and game nights in Beyond Soccer’s enrichment space. Created to help families balance work schedules and supported by a DCR Summer Nights grant, the program aims to reach more than 300 youth and teens.

This faith-infused, Zumba-style workout at Riverside Church is designed for women of all fitness levels. Participants can look forward to upbeat music, simple choreography, and a welcoming atmosphere. A $2 donation is requested for each class.

Bring a constructed Riftbound deck to Creatorpult Games and take part in competitive matches with a friendly vibe. This event runs in the official Riftbound Organized Play program, and pairings use a Swiss structure with the number of rounds based on attendance. The entry fee is $10 and includes organized play tracking and prize support. Prizes can include store credit and promotional items depending on turnout, with official Riftbound prize kits awarded when available. League standings are tracked from week to week, so both participation and results earn points toward seasonal rewards. Champions at the end of the season receive exclusive prizes and promo materials.

Glow through a 2.62 mile run or walk on the Lowell Riverwalk, serving as the finale of the Angry Chicken Race Series. Bib pick-up takes place at Marx Running and Fitness in Lowell. Costumes are encouraged, with prizes for the best dressed.

At the Greater Lowell Family YMCA, this ongoing peer support gathering centers on mental wellness for those who serve. Active, Reserve, and Retired military, veterans, first responders in police, fire, EMS, public safety dispatch, and corrections, and ER nurses can connect with peers, share experiences, and access supportive conversation. For questions, email info@hiddenbattlesfoundation.org or call Scott at 978-551-5116 or Chris at 978-846-6274.

Obscure Notation brings live music to the Lawrence Groundwork Farmers’ Market at Campagnone Common.

BCI is celebrating summer with a sensory-friendly carnival at its Lowell Learning Center, which provides ABA therapy for children with autism and Down syndrome. Children can take part in carnival-themed activities and more, and the experience is designed for the whole family and friends. This event is free and open to the public.

The Lawrence Public Library courtyard transforms into a lively summer hangout with live music, board games, free arts and crafts, karaoke, and food trucks. Bring friends, family, and even the dog to enjoy music, games, and creative activities in the open air. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

Create a portrait of your pet with clear, step-by-step guidance from start to finish. A personalized stencil is provided to help you capture your pet’s features with ease. This hands-on workshop takes place at Pica’s Deli & Ice Cream.

Creatorpult Games hosts a gathering for the One Piece Trading Card Game that centers on friendly play, learning the rules, and building the local community. Seasoned fans and newcomers can sit down for casual matches, trade tips, and connect with other players in an easygoing atmosphere. Attendees usually bring a favorite deck, while those new to the game can try it out with help from fellow participants.

Family, connection, and the people who shape our lives are at the heart of the third cycle of this community storytelling series. Participants develop a true personal story during two guided workshops, then have the option to present it at a Mini Story Slam in front of an audience. Community members who prefer to listen are welcome at the slam to enjoy live storytelling. All sessions take place at lala books in downtown Lowell. No previous storytelling or performance background is required. Registration is required. The series is led by Nicole Nordin Heavey, a storyteller whose award-winning work has been featured with MassMouth and The Moth, and whose Stories in the Streets program brings storytelling into community spaces while offering practical tools that help people shape their own narratives.

DJ Trivia brings an interactive trivia night to Casa Blanca Mexican Restaurant in Methuen, MA. Teams compete for prizes awarded to the top three. Enjoy food while you play and spend time with friends, with opportunities to meet new people.

This free outdoor summer concert at Bradford Common features performances by The Monkey Fingers and The Foo Family. Attendees can bring lawn chairs, blankets, and coolers for a comfortable live music experience. The event is smoke free, and well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome. Parking is available on nearby streets, or attendees may use parking at Driscoll Funeral Home.

An intermediate-focused NEMBA group ride explores the technical trails of Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsboro State Forest in a supportive, no-drop setting. Expect chances to pause and practice features, with optional harder lines for those seeking extra challenge. Skill level targets riders around 4 to 6 on the scale, with optional 7+ lines available. Moving speed is typically about 4.5 to 7 mph, with an overall average of roughly 4 to 6 mph including breaks. Riders regroup at intersections, and the group may split to match different goals. Parking is in the lot on the north side of Dr. An Wang Middle School, located just south of the soccer fields entrance.

Enjoy casual Commander at Creatorpult Games in Haverhill, MA, with an emphasis on friendly games, community, and splashy plays. Play Magic: The Gathering in a relaxed setting, with raffle prizes awarded to participants during the event. Entering the raffle is optional, costing $20 per player, or choose a $5 per player option if you simply want to play. Whether you bring a finely tuned list or a fresh build, it is an easy way to meet other Commander fans and keep the pressure low. New players are welcome.

This in-person experience, led by presenters Courtney Lillie and Michael LoColle, offers a calming environment dedicated to nervous system support, emotional release, and embodied reconnection. Through a blend of somatic practices, sound, guided inner exploration, and reflective coaching, participants are encouraged to slow down, regulate the body, let go of what is no longer needed, and connect more deeply with themselves. Each gathering focuses on a distinct theme and provides a grounded yet spacious path for those seeking greater balance, calm, clarity, and connection.

Candor Investment Meetups gathers real estate investors, operators, and other professionals for conversations, networking, and market-focused insights. This edition in Lowell introduces the meetup's inaugural Real Estate Trivia Night at Thorndike Exchange. The theme is Funding the Deal, offering an interactive way to challenge real estate finance knowledge while connecting with local investors and industry professionals. Teams are set at two people, so arriving with a partner is encouraged. The evening is hosted by Jon Bombaci. There is no featured speaker, just friendly competition and plenty of opportunities to connect with the local real estate investment community.

This hands-on paint and plant session at Wicked Axe, led by Bridget, blends crafting with a touch of greenery. Participants choose from ceramic planters such as a chicken, whale, sloth, hedgehog, gnome, cow, or elephant and decorate them with their own designs. After the painting is complete, a baby spider plant is potted to finish the project and create a living keepsake. All materials and supplies are provided, and Bridget offers step by step guidance, so no prior experience is needed. It is a relaxed way to spend time with friends, spark creativity, and head home with a personalized planter ready to display.

Save Ferris celebrates 29 years of their breakthrough debut, "It Means Everything," highlighting the songs that defined the release. That includes their version of "Come on Eileen," a track that earned RIAA Gold certification. The anniversary is marked at 29 instead of 30... staying forever 29 by choice.