Sunday, September 14, 2025
1pm - 5pm

Throughout the Central Neighborhood

INFO

What is PorchFest??

Since 2019, the Central Neighborhood Association has hosted a free afternoon event showcasing local musicians and talent performances played on front porches throughout the neighborhood.

Join in the camaraderie

as the community strolls from house to house!

FAQs

FAQ

I don't get it...a Porch festival??

While we love porches and they certainly play a role in this event, we are not merely celebrating porches. Homeowners throughout the neighborhood have generously offered their porches as temporary stages for our local performers. Think of the neighborhood as the festival grounds and the various participating porches as different stages, each with a different lineup. This is a music festival in a community setting.

How do I find the right porch?

We will have a schedule posted on this website, as well as an interactive map to help you navigate the neighborhood during the event!

Why is it free? What's the catch?

No catch! The homeowners donate their porches, the organizers donate their time and energy, and the musicians donate their talents, all so we can have a lovely, music-filled afternoon of entertainment and camaraderie in the neighborhood!

Will the streets be closed off?

Nope, traffic will flow through the neighborhood as usual. We ask, however, that you take public transit or walk or bike to the neighborhood if possible to prevent a surplus of parked vehicles. If you do need to arrive in a car, please try to carpool and aim to park in a nearby city parking deck.

How will I get around?

By confining the event to a single neighborhood, it is extremely walkable! Bring your wagons to tote around the little ones, and mosey from one stage to the next throughout the afternoon. Bikes are a great way to zip between venues as well! But of course, when walking or biking throughout the afternoon remember to stay safe, be respectful of private property, and watch for little humans.

So I did a good job staying hydrated, but now...

Say no more! There will be restrooms available at The FOLLOWING LOCATIONS:

Redeemer Presbyterian Church @ 9th and Wadsworth
Friends Meeting House @ 206 S. Oak

Line Up

2025 LINEUP

Jesse Jefferson

Jesse's music offers a distinctive blend of gritty soul with acoustic and electric elements, adding a fresh twist to a diverse selection of popular songs. His repertoire spans an impressive array of styles, including rock, pop, hip-hop, country, oldies, original compositions, and timeless classics

The Sane Asylum

Local classic rock band. We play a mix of covers and originals.

Broken Tip Jar

We are a country, pop and lite rock cover band, with some originals. Mainly played on acoustics, but always up for a little electric guitar sounds as well. BTJ started out as two guys playing around the mountains of Idaho at resorts and music festivals. The band now resides in northern Michigan.

John Richard Paul

John Richard Paul is a Northern Michigan-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist specializing in heartfelt, deeply personal lyrics ruminating on life, love and loss, all filtered through a timeless Americana lens

STRUM

Pop favorites and Originals - Local Community Ukulele group. Come play or sing along.

The Atomic Palms

Classic and original instrumental surf with plenty of reverb!

Weston Buchan & A Whiskey Sampler

Two friends rocking some enjoyable covers from all different genres and generations.

Dags und Timmah!

A Traverse City based band in our 12th year of performing together. We focus on British Influenced Alternative Rock. Originals, and thoughtfully curated versions of songs that nobody else performs, rhythmically challenging songs - Extraordinary Rhythm & Groove! We perform songs for ages 16 to 96 years old with songs sprinkled across many genres.