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Save on Summer Entertainment in Merrimack Valley

Jeanne D'Arc Employees working a booth at an outdoor event, giving promotional items away to attendees.

We often encourage that those looking to cut down their spending look to free sources of entertainment, but that’s sometimes easier said than done. It can be hard to figure out what to do, especially when you’re trying to escape the heat or entertain a gaggle of kids on summer vacation. Well, we mean it when we say that we’re here to help! Here are a few activities in the communities we serve that are free and fun for all.

Chelmsford, MA

Market on the Common

Chelmsford’s Market on the Common features local farmers and artisan crafters, food vendors and more. The Market takes place on the Town Common, a splash of green right where Route 4 and Route 110 meet. It’s held from 11:00am – 2:00 pm from the last weekend in May until early October.

Chelmsford Public Library

Chelmsford Public Library offers a wide variety of free activities throughout the year for patrons. These activities range from Sensory Storytime for children with special needs and their caregivers to Teen DnD, Summer Concerts, movies, and more for all ages.

Lakes, Ponds, & Bogs

Open to both residents and non-residents, Freeman Lake & Heart Pond are free to use and have designated swimming areas. Lifeguards are present for part of the summer but not at all times, so check the town website to find out details before you go. The Cranberry Bog Reservation features trails for walking, biking, and wildlife spotting around open water and through wetlands.

Bruce Freeman Rail Trail

Running from Lowell to Sudbury, with plans to extend it in the future into Framingham and all the way into Boston, the 10 foot wide paved path is meant for walking, biking, cross-country skiing, and everything in between.

Dracut, MA

Parker Memorial Library

Dracut’s Public Library not only offers the typical books and DVDs to borrow, study rooms, and genealogy research support, but also has a “Library of Things” that can be borrowed for up to two weeks at a time. Their Library of Things covers a wide range of interests, from sewing machines and a Cricut for those interested in crafting (and saving some $$ by going the DIY route) to a car diagnostic code scanner, cordless drill, Nintendo Switch, musical instruments, and even a telescope!

Summer Movies in the Park

The Town of Dracut hosts Summer Movies in the Park each year – check their calendar to see when the next one is scheduled.

Veterans Memorial Park & Splash Pad

This park not only has sports fields, a playground, and playground equipment, but also has a paved walking trail and a “Spray and Play” splash pad.

Lowell, MA

A big city like Lowell has a LOT of activities going on year-round, and it peaks in the summer! While a few of the services sponsored by the city are for residents, many, including all of the festivals, are open to any and all. Here’s just a sampling of the free entertainment available during the summer months.

Lowell Folk Festival

The Folk Festival is the biggest event in the city! It’s the last full weekend of July each year, where major streets are blocked for pedestrian traffic and performance stages. It’s entirely free to attend and features incredible food vendors (not free), live music, traditional dance performances, art and craft demonstrations, and much, much more.

Lowell Southeast Asian Water Festival

Each year, Pawtucket Boulevard is transformed by what’s commonly just called “the Water Festival.” There are merchants and food vendors, performances and crafts, and most importantly, boat races! The Water Festival is a huge cultural event in the city during the summer and all are welcome to celebrate Southeast Asian culture and heritage.

Lowell Summer Music Series

You probably already know about the Lowell Summer Music Series concerts, but did you know that there’s also a Free Fun For Kids series too? There’s live music, educational animal shows, dance, juggling, and even more wide-ranging activities that change from year to year.

Pollard Memorial Library

Lowell’s Pollard Memorial Library offers an incredible range of free programs, from craft activities for all ages to chess club, tech help for seniors, and a fiber arts weekly meetup. One of the most popular services the library offers are their discounted museum passes. They even have a “bookmobile,” a mobile branch that travels to various spots across the city to bring the library to more people.

Water Fun

The City of Lowell operates two swimming pools, the South Common Pool and McPherson Pool, both are free, have lifeguards, and are open seven days a week through mid-August. Also in Lowell is the Raymond Lord Memorial Swimming Pool. It’s also free and open seven days a week from late June through mid-August, but this one is operated by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR).

The City of Lowell also operates free splash pads located at Mulligan Park, O’Donnell Park, and Shedd Park, with one being added to Armory Park in the not-too-distant future. These are all free and also open late June through mid-August, perfect for smaller children.

The Waterfront, Rynne Beach on the Merrimack, is a sandy beach with free parking right along Pawtucket Boulevard. This one isn’t staffed by any lifeguards, so keep that in mind if you visit.

Methuen, MA

Forest Lake

Methuen’s Forest Lake is excellent for swimming, fishing, the beach, and other outdoor recreation for Methuen residents. The lake area is open to residents from 10:00am – 7:00pm every day, and parking is just $10 per day or $50 for the whole season.

Nevins Library

Methuen’s Nevins Library also offers a wide range of activities all year long, including special programs during the summer. Some include a children’s insect petting zoo, craft sessions, and a Scrabble club for adults. They even provide free lunch to children and teens in partnership with Project Bread and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

Summer Night Music Series

The City of Methuen and the Methuen Cultural Council host the Summer Night Music Series on Thursday evenings at Riverwalk Park. In addition to live music, there is free popcorn, cotton candy, and rock painting.

Nashua, NH

Farmers Market

The Nashua Farmers Market, held at the Nashua Public Library, runs on Sundays from 10:00am to 2:00pm all summer and fall long. Vendors include distilleries, bakeries, and other local artisans and business owners.

Mine Falls Park

The park is the centerpiece of Nashua, NH, hugging the Nashua River right in the heart of the city. Visitors can walk, bike, cross-country ski, and fish, and there are also athletic fields open to the public.

SummerFun

The City of Nashua hosts a slew of free activities as part of their SummerFun program: Yoga in the Park, summer concerts, Silver Knights collegiate baseball games, Touch a Truck, a Fairytale Festival, and much, much more. All of these events are open to all, fun for all ages, and held at Greeley Park.

Tyngsboro, MA

Town Beach

Located on the shore of Tyngsboro’s Lake Mascuppic, the beach is open to the public and has baseball fields, a playground, tether ball, a boat launch, and, of course, a beach! Parking is by hang tag only, but they are free for residents and can be picked up at the town offices.

Tyngsboro Block Party-by-the-Bridge

Late summer each year, the town hosts it’s annual festival in Tyngsborough Common. Close out the summer with live music, a petting zoo, vendors, local artisans, games for all ages, and a whole lot more. The party is free for kids 12 and under and $5 for adults with free parking, kicks off at 11:00am and ends at nightfall with a fireworks show over the Merrimack.

Westford, MA

Edwards Beach and Forge Pond

Westford is lucky to be home to two public beaches: Edwards Beach at Nabnasset Lake and Forge Pond. These are both free for residents of Westford, and is just $10 per person per day for non-residents with those aged three and under or 65 and over being free. Both sites have playgrounds, picnic tables, and, naturally, swimming areas. Lifeguards are only on-duty at certain times, so check with the town’s website before making your trip.

Westford Historical Society & Museum

Westford is also home to the Westford Museum, which preserves and promotes the history of the town, including artifacts from early settlement and exhibits on historic businesses and people from Westford’s history.

 

There really is a lot to love about the Merrimack Valley and SO much to do and see, even if you’ve been here your entire life. Subscribe to the Money Mill blog for more money-saving financial wellness information.