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New England Film Orchestra

  • Home
  • About
  • Booking
  • Media
  • Shows
    • Accessibility
    • Upcoming Events
  • Statement Against Racism
  • Contact Us
  • Auditions
  • Donate
  • Movie Magic
Accessibility & Sensory-Friendly Information | New England Film Orchestra
New England Film Orchestra

Accessibility &
Sensory-Friendly Information

Everyone should have the opportunity to experience the excitement and beauty of live orchestral music.

Sunday, August 30, 2026  •  Boarding House Park  •  Free Admission

Boarding House Park, outdoor concert venue in downtown Lowell
Boarding House Park is an outdoor venue in downtown Lowell. Seating for all guests is on the lawn, so guests are encouraged to bring folding chairs or blankets for their comfort.

Images, venue map and park layout are provided courtesy of the Lowell Summer Music Series and are included to help guests plan their visit. For additional venue information, policies, and FAQs, please visit the Lowell Summer Music Series FAQ.

Planning to Attend?

We encourage guests to register through our free Eventbrite page.

Registering helps us estimate attendance so we can prepare accessibility resources, sensory supports, and volunteers, and allows us to notify you directly if there are important event updates, including weather-related venue changes.

Registration is free but not required.

Register on Eventbrite

Scope It Out

Watch highlights from a previous New England Film Orchestra performance at Boarding House Park to get a feel for the venue, the atmosphere, and the overall concert experience.

The Same Exciting Concert—With A Few Tweaks

Sensory-friendly does not mean a different performance. The music, orchestra, and overall concert experience remain the same, while thoughtful accommodations help make live music more comfortable and accessible for those who benefit from them.

Designed to Welcome Everyone

Every guest experiences live music differently, and that’s okay. Whether you are autistic, have sensory sensitivities, hearing loss, a mobility disability, anxiety, PTSD, are attending your first orchestra concert, or simply appreciate a little extra flexibility, these accommodations are here to help make everyone feel welcome.

  • ADA-accessible entrance, viewing area, nearby accessible parking, and accessible public restrooms
  • All seating is on the lawn inside Boarding House Park. Guests are encouraged to bring a folding chair, blanket, or another seating option that will make them comfortable.
  • Accessibility & Sensory Support Table near the entrance with sensory aids, information, and printed concert programs. We encourage all guests who may benefit from the available accommodations to stop by when they arrive.
  • A reserved sensory-friendly lawn seating area located near the quiet area for guests who would like easier entry and exit during the performance. Guests using this area should also bring their own chair or blanket.
  • Designated quiet area available throughout the concert
  • Complimentary disposable earplugs while supplies last
  • Printed concert programs identifying loud, potentially startling, or scary musical moments
  • Vibration balloons available for Deaf and hard-of-hearing guests to experience the music through vibration
  • Friendly volunteers available throughout the evening
  • Guests are welcome to move about, vocalize, use self-regulating behaviors (stimming), take breaks, or use headphones, ear defenders, squishies, quiet fidget toys, comfort items, and other personal sensory supports
  • Trained service animals are welcome in accordance with ADA guidelines

What to Expect

This is an outdoor performance featuring recognizable orchestral music from beloved films.

No Strobe Lights
Program Warnings
Relaxed Environment
Take a Break Quiet Area Available

Please visit the Accessibility & Sensory Support Table when you arrive.

Sensory aids and printed concert programs with warnings for loud, potentially startling, or scary musical moments will be available there.

Guests who would benefit from easier entry and exit are welcome to use the reserved sensory-friendly lawn seating area located near the quiet area. This area does not include chairs, so guests should bring a folding chair, blanket, or another seating option for their comfort.

Guests are welcome to move, vocalize, use self-regulating behaviors (stimming), step away, or take a break at any time during the performance.

Parking & Transportation

Boarding House Park is located in downtown Lowell, with nearby parking and public transportation options. For full venue information, visit the Lowell Summer Music Series FAQ.

Nearby Parking

  • Joseph Downes Parking Garage
    75 John Street — closest garage, with accessible spaces
  • Leo A. Roy Parking Facility
    100 Market Street
  • HCID Parking Garage
    350A Dutton Street

Public Transportation

  • Walking distance from Gallagher Transportation Terminal
  • Accessible by LRTA buses and the MBTA Lowell Line
  • LRTA Road Runner Paratransit and MBTA The RIDE are available for eligible riders

Accessible Entrance & Viewing Area

The map below shows the accessible entrance at the corner of John and French Streets, the accessible route into Boarding House Park, and the designated accessible viewing area.

Map of Boarding House Park showing the accessible entrance at John and French Streets, the accessible route, and the accessible viewing area
The accessible entrance is located at the corner of John and French Streets, on the side of the park closest to the Joseph Downes Parking Garage. Event staff can assist guests with access to the walkway and ramps leading toward the center of the park and the accessible viewing area.

Images, venue map and park layout are provided courtesy of the Lowell Summer Music Series .

Frequently Asked Questions

Select a question below for more information.

Is the concert free?

Yes. Thanks to our sponsors, admission is free and open to everyone.

What should I bring?

We recommend bringing a folding lawn chair or blanket, along with water and a light jacket for after sunset.

Is seating provided?

No chairs are provided. All seating for this concert is on the lawn inside Boarding House Park. Guests are encouraged to bring a folding chair, blanket, or another seating option that will make them comfortable. A reserved sensory-friendly lawn seating area will be available near the quiet area for guests who would appreciate easier entry and exit, but guests using that area should also bring their own chair or blanket.

Is Boarding House Park accessible for guests with mobility disabilities?

Yes. Boarding House Park is an ADA-accessible venue. The accessible entrance is at the corner of John and French Streets, on the side of the park closest to the Joseph Downes Parking Garage at 75 John Street. Accessible walkways and ramps provide access toward the center of the park and the designated accessible viewing area.

The Downes Garage has 23 accessible parking spaces located near the elevators on each level. Standard parking rates apply.

Guests accompanying a person with a disability may sit in the accessible viewing area, but we ask everyone to help preserve priority access for guests who need that space. Event staff and ushers are available to assist with the accessible route and viewing area.

Can children attend?

Absolutely. Families are encouraged to attend.

Will sensory aids be available at the concert?

Yes. Please visit the Accessibility & Sensory Support Table when you arrive. You’ll find sensory aids, printed concert programs with warnings for loud or potentially startling musical moments, and volunteers who can answer questions about the available accommodations.

May I bring headphones, squishies, or quiet fidgets?

Yes. Noise-reducing headphones, ear defenders, squishies, quiet fidget toys, comfort items, and other personal sensory supports are welcome.

May I leave and return during the performance?

Absolutely. This is a relaxed performance. Guests are welcome to move, vocalize, use self-regulating behaviors (stimming), take breaks, and return whenever they are ready. A designated quiet area and a reserved sensory-friendly lawn seating area near it are available for anyone who would like a little extra flexibility during the performance. Guests should bring their own chair or blanket.

May I bring my pet?

For the comfort and safety of all guests, pets are not permitted at the concert.

Service animals trained to perform specific tasks for a person with a disability are welcome in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Emotional support, comfort, and therapy animals do not meet the ADA definition of a service animal and are not permitted at Boarding House Park.

For additional information, please review the Massachusetts guidance on service and assistance animals .

What happens if it rains?

In case of rain, the concert will move to Lowell Memorial Auditorium, located at 50 East Merrimack Street in Lowell.

May I take photographs or videos?

Personal, non-flash photography and short video clips are welcome. Please do not use professional recording equipment or record the full performance.

Where can I find additional venue information?

For additional information about Boarding House Park, including venue policies, food and beverages, prohibited items, and other event details, please visit the Lowell Summer Music Series FAQ .

Questions or Accommodation Requests?

Please contact us with any accessibility questions or to let us know about anything that may help make your concert experience more comfortable.

We're always looking for ways to improve. If you have suggestions for how we can make our concerts even more welcoming and accessible, we'd love to hear from you. Your feedback helps us continue improving these efforts.

Contact Us

If you would like to make a donation to support the orchestra and help us provide quality content throughout the upcoming season, please use the button below. We greatly appreciate your support!

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  1. 1
    Portals from Avengers: Endgame 0:26
    Portals from Avengers: Endgame
    by New England Film Orchestra

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  2. 2
    Harry Potter 1:01
    0:00/1:01
  3. 3
    Star Wars Theme 0:40
    Star Wars Theme
    by by John Williams

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  4. 4
    Gabriel's Oboe 0:56
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  5. 5
    Legends of the Fall 0:33
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  6. 6
    Skyfall 1:29
    Skyfall
    by by Adele

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  7. 7
    Raiders March 1:23
    Raiders March
    by by John Williams

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  8. 8
    Tennessee from Pearl Harbor 0:36
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