Princeton Porchfest 2025

The Arts Council of Princeton (ACP) announces the return of Princeton Porchfest on Saturday, April 26. The event, which made its debut in 2022, is a free music festival where musicians perform on front porches generously lent by neighbors. Attendees are invited to stroll from porch to porch as they enjoy live, local talent. From 12-5pm, homes and businesses throughout town will host 45-minute sets of live music, spanning a wide variety of genres for all to enjoy. Destinations vary from Downtown and Witherspoon-Jackson locations to the Riverside neighborhood and the “tree streets”. Some favorite returning acts include alternative bands Ruby West, Gravity Hill, and Cherry Blossoms, jazz by RPG Jazz Project, and Bluegrass by Fish & Whistle. New to Porchfest are rock bands Bamberdost and Old Friends, pop group Water Street, and country act Mandy Valentine. Another addition to this year’s event is a special-edition Story & Verse stage on Hinds Plaza, held in partnership with the Princeton University Art Museum and Princeton Public Library. This stage will feature ACP’s signature open mic, led by Trenton-based host Brass Rabbit, and include a guest performance by spoken word poet, activist, and ceramic artist Roberto Lugo. Attendees interested in signing up for the open mic should arrive by 2:45pm; performances begin at 3pm. The open mic will pause for Lugo’s performance at 3:30pm before resuming. Ending the day on a festive note, Palmer Square will host the Official Porchfest After-Party. All ages are invited to enjoy the live music, lawn games, fun photo opportunities, and beer, wine, and snacks from Winberie’s Restaurant & Bar. The closing concert of the day, to begin at 5:30pm, will feature a favorite local jam band, The Shaxe, who will peform their 25th show with the ACP. Formed in 1992 and known for their annual set at Communiversity, The Shaxe invite one and all to come end the day in celebration. A list of porches is available at artscouncilofprinceton.org. To follow is an interactive map and links to performers’ music to assist eventgoers in planning their perfect Porchfest day. “Porchfest has proven itself to be a catalyst in bringing our community together, converging around a shared creative experience”, shares Adam Welch, ACP Executive Director. “We are thrilled to have the support of the Municipality of Princeton, the Graduate Hotel, and so many generous sponsors, leaving us with no doubt that we’ve struck the right chord. Porchfest is truly the bolt of lightning that illuminates the entirety of Princeton's creative and cultural vitality.” Limited edition Porchfest t-shirts are available now online. Day-of purchases will be on a first-come, first-served basis at the Arts Council’s 102 Witherspoon St porch. All proceeds benefit ACP community programs. Princeton Porchfest is supported by lead sponsor, the Municipality of Princeton, as well as Graduate Hotel Princeton, Glenmede, Palmer Square, Donnelly Media, Avalon Princeton Circle, Patrick de Maynadier, Compass Real Estate, Lydia & Johan Pfeiffer, Fusion Academy, Corcoran Sawyer Smith, NJM Insurance Group, Small World Coffee, and Jammin' Crepes.