New Jersey Porch Fests
New Jersey is a state that has a lot of Porch Fests. My husband and I have each had fun playing at different Porch Fests in the state. Learn more about them and how you can visit them or be involved below.
What is Porch Fest?
It is a free music festival. They are held in communities. Different community members volunteer their porches for performers to perform. Performers volunteer to perform. They are a fun way to walk through a town and hear different types of music performed in the same day. The first Porch Fest was in Ithaca, NY in 2007.
Our Experience
My husband performed on his acoustic guitar and sang with a friend at the Bordentown Porch Fest not long ago. They had a blast performing at the event. I sat on the front lawn with the kids in camp chairs to watch and we also brought a picnic blanket for when friends arrived as well. Soon there were lots of people watching the performance. They had performed in front of Sonya. Some of the kids in the family were nice enough to even come out and offer ice cream to my kids and food to my husband and friend after the show. After the show we all walked around downtown Bordentown and walked into a few shops. We also watched parts of the performance of a few other bands before heading home. It was an awesome day!
I performed at the Moorestown Porch Fest last year. Earlier in the day we stopped to see some performers at Perkins and also walked around the town to see a few different groups. Then it was time for my performance where I sang and played alternative rock songs on the electric guitar. This was my first time doing a solo performance that was longer than an open mic night. It was actually a pretty dreary day with lots of rain sporadically. Surprisingly there were still a lot of people going around to the different porches to see everyone perform. Everything went off really well! There were even canopies set up in some locations that did not have a covering so all the performers were fine.
How To Get Involved
If you live in a town with a Porch Fest be sure to volunteer your porch! It is a great way to become a part of the action and help out for the event. It is also a great way to have some free musical performances at your house. This may be a great opportunity to have a picnic outside while listening to the live music.
Are you a performer? Be sure to apply early to make sure you can get a spot at a Porch Fest. They fill up rapidly. They are a great way to connect with the community, get some experience playing live and to have an audience.
Are you a vendor? Some Porch Fests also need vendors. Look into this to see if you can apply.
If you are trying to be involved in any of these three capacities be sure to apply early! Some applications are already closed for some Porch Fests this year.
If you still want to be involved and do not fit in any categories above you may be able to become a volunteer or a sponsor.
What To Bring
Light camp chairs are nice if you are planning to see a lot of performances. Another option is a blanket. Keep in mind some porches may not have a great layout for chairs or blankets.
If you are going with younger kids you may want to bring a stroller or wagon.
Be sure to bring hats and sunblock if it is sunny.
Water and food are great to bring as well.
Bring some cash for performers’ tip jars and in case there are things from vendors or Porchfest merchandise available to purchase.
If you are more sensitive to noise you may want to bring ear plugs.
If you have younger kids be sure to pack noise reducing headphones.
What To Know Beforehand
See the details below for each Porch Fest. Put the date on your calendar! I have written below if I saw applications were open for people to get involved with the Porchfest events listed below.
Before leaving be sure to scout out the Porch Fest schedule and map. Make a list of the performances you want to see and their locations. If you do not have anyone specific in mind just head to the town to walk around and follow the music.
If you are performing be sure to also check out some other performers to support your fellow artists. Arrive early to scope out your location for your set-up. Be sure to find out beforehand if there is anything you need to bring (Ex. a PA system). Check to see if your Porch host has what you need for your set (Ex. accessible electric outlets for an amp).
North Jersey
Montclair Porchfest Music Festival
Date: May 17, 2025 (Saturday)
Time: 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Registration is open for bands, porches, volunteers and sponsors.
This will be the first Porchfest in Montclair!
Website: Montclair Porchfest
Facebook Page: Montclair Porchfest
Rutherford PorchFest 2025
Date: June 14, 2025 (Saturday) (Rain date is that Sunday.)
Registration is open for bands, porches and volunteers.
Website: Rutherford PorchFest 2025
Places to Go: Head to the American Dream Mall.
Maplewood Porchfest 2025
Instagram Page: Maplewood Porchfest
Caldwell Porchfest
Date: September 6, 2025
Time: 12:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Volunteers and porches are needed. Bands can still apply. Trucker hats are already on sale.
Website: Caldwell Porchfest
Asbury Park Porchfest
The Porchfest last year was the largest Porchfest in the Northeast.
Website: Asbury Park Porchfest
Central Jersey
Princeton Porchfest 2025
Date: April 26, 2025 (Saturday)
Porchfest applications are closed.
There will be 45 minute sets performed throughout Princeton.
Website: Princeton Porchfest 2025
Places to Go in Princeton: I love the bubble tea at Junbi. The coffee chip ice cream at Halo Pub is amazing. Mamoun’s Falafel makes some great sandwiches. The Princeton Public Library Children’s Area has a fish tank and toys.
Hightstown Porch Fest 2025
Date: May 10, 2025 (Saturday)
Places to Go Nearby: Etra Lake Park has a playground and easy trails. Americana is a great diner. The Hightstown Library is a great place to stop.
Somerville PorchFest 2025
Date: May 10, 2025 (Saturday)
Rain Date: May 11, 2025 (Sunday)
Time: 12:00 to 6:00 pm
Website: Somerville PorchFest
Freehold Borough Arts Council Porch Fest 2025
Date: May 18, 2025 (Sunday)
Application currently open for porches, vendors and bands. Free for bands to enter but there is a $50 fee if they want to enter the contest to play a Thursdays Rock Summer Concert Show.
Website: FBAC Porch Fest
Facebook Page: 2025 FBAC Porch Fest
Places to Go: Moore’s Tavern has a fun atmosphere and historic significance.
Metuchen Porchfest
Date: September 1, 2025 (Saturday) with Rain Date on September 2, 2025
Applications are currently open for musicians and hosts. The application deadline is April 7, 2025.
Website: Metuchen NJ Porchfest 2025
Places to Go: Head to Boba Tea Time to play board games while drinking a refreshment.
South Jersey
Bordentown Porchfest 2025
Date: May 3, 2025
Time: 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Performers must apply by April 12, 2025.
Website: Bordentown Porchfest
Chesterfield Porchfest
Date: May 10, 2025 (Saturday)
Facebook Page: Chesterfield Porchfest
Places to Stop: The Chesterfield Deli makes a refreshing chicken salad sandwich on a kaiser roll. It also often has tasty Jewish apple cake or banana bread. Fundaes Arcade is also a fun place to play some arcade games.
Moorestown Porchfest
Date: May 17, 2025
Applications are currently open for bands, porch hosts, volunteers and sponsors.
Website: Moorestown Porchfest
Facebook Page: Moorestown Porchfest 2025
Places to Stop: Stop into La Vita’s for a tasty slice of cheese pizza. Head to the Moorestown Library for your kids to hang out in the children’s play area. Grab an amazing scone from the Pie Lady Cafe.
Tuckerton Porchfest 2025
Date: May 31, 2025 (Saturday)
Rain Date: June 1, 2025 (Sunday)
Sponsors and vendors can still be a part of this event.
Facebook Page: Tuckerton Porchfest 2025
Places to stop: Head to the Tuckerton Seaport museum for fun on the playground, in the lighthouse at the blacksmith and more! Take a boat ride there.
Collingswood Porchfest 2025
Date: September 27, 2025 (Saturday)
Wenonah Porchfest
There is currently no date listed for 2025.
Facebook Page: Wenonah Porchfest