Somerville PorchFest

Somerville’s PorchFest Returns Sat., May 9 Wednesday, April 29, 2026 tfrazier Wed, 04/29/2026 - 1:20pm Hear great tunes right in your neighborhood. Community members are invited to Somerville’s PorchFest on Saturday, May 9, an annual event that transforms porches and stoops across the city into mini-stages for a day of free, live musical performances. Hundreds of bands at more than 500 locations will be performing music ranging from indie, punk, and hip hop to Latin, jazz, country, and world music. Travel across the city or stay in your area to connect with neighbors (it is the Year of the Neighbor in Somerville after all).  This event will take place rain or shine. Ahead of PorchFest, the City is sharing important information and reminders so you can make the most of this music-filled day.  Performance Schedule  Porchfest performances are staggered by location so you can explore music in each area of the city from west to east. The schedule is as follows:  West Zone (West of Willow Avenue): 12 to 2 p.m.  Central Zone (between Willow and Central Streets): 2 to 4 p.m.  East Zone (East of Central Street):  4 to 6 p.m.  As you plan your day, our interactive map featuring all bands and bios, block parties, and performance locations can help. Just visit somervilleartscouncil.org/porchfest/porchfestmap.  Stay Informed, Sign Up for Event Alerts  Need directions to a performance or help locating a porta potty? PorchFest Ambassadors will be walking around and ready to assist (look for light blue t-shirts labeled ‘Ambassador’). The Somerville Arts Council will also staff an information table on the Community Path between Willow Ave. and Cedar St. from 1 to 4 p.m.   To sign up for day-of emergency text alerts, text SOMPORCHES26 to 888777. This is easy to do and a good idea. So please sign up.  Be a Good Neighbor  Help keep PorchFest clean, safe, and fun for everyone:  To ease congestion on streets and sidewalks, attendees are encouraged to use Somerville’s Community Path to travel between zones.  If nature calls, there will be additional porta-a-johns available in the community and on the Community Path.   Please be considerate of neighboring properties and place all trash into trash cans or take it with you.  For all event information, visit somervilleartscouncil.org/porchfest.  Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should contact the ADA Coordinator in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or ADA@somervillema.gov.  If you need assistance understanding this information, please contact us at languageaccess@somervillema.gov or call 311 (617-666-3311). The City of Somerville can provide you with an interpreter for free.