This past weekend, members of the Princeton community gathered across town for the fourth annual Porchfest, a music festival hosted by the Arts Council of Princeton where local musicians perform on porches around Princeton. This year’s Porchfest, held on Saturday, Apr. 26, spanned 15 porches in addition to Hinds Plaza and Palmer Square, which featured specially scheduled performances.
Despite light rain and clouds during the day, Porchfest continued without interruption. Each of the 15 main porches held find performances lasting 45 minutes each, from the event’s start at noon until its end at 5 p.m. Hinds Plaza featured an open mic as well as a reading by poet, activist, and artist Roberto Lugo, while Palmer Square Green featured three performances as well as the event’s afterparty festivities. In total, 84 acts were performed across town.
Porchfest was sponsored by a wide variety of institutions and businesses from the town of Princeton, including the Municipality, the Graduate Hotel, and Palmer Square.
“I just love music, and I really love nothing more than a live band, and also being engaged in the community … [Porchfest] mixes those two things together perfectly,” Events Director for Porchfest Olivia Porter ’28 told the ‘Prince.’
While the porches around town were shared by Princeton residents, Maclean House, located on the University’s campus, was reserved specifically for Princeton student performers. The Maclean House performances kicked off with the Princeton University Band at 11:45 am before moving into other acts. Students performing ranged from Strawberry Milk, a rock/metal band, to acoustic singer-songwriter Jonah and the Will.
Maclean House was consistently crowded throughout Porchfest, with the building’s front lawn covered by Princeton students, young children, and older community members. Students who checked in with the Porchfest organizers at Maclean House received a bingo card printout. To win “bingo,” students had to attend three different Porchfest performances and received a custom Porchfest tote bag in exchange.
Three performances at Palmer Square Green concluded Porchfest. Instant Bingo Family Band’s folk tunes were followed by R&B group Charles Laurita & The Mischief, and the day’s activities came to a close amid the sounds of classic rock band The Shaxe. Winberie’s Restaurant and Bar, an eatery in Palmer Square, sold snacks and drinks to the attendees for the final acts and the afterparty.
Students in attendance emphasized the community aspect of Porchfest and the energetic atmosphere.
“It’s really nice, getting an opportunity to walk around and have separate events, to get off campus a little more,” Kayla Toohey ’28 told the ‘Prince.’
When asked about why she attended, she added, “My friends and I have just been feeling a little stressed lately with finals, so it’s a nice opportunity for us to go out, walk around, see people we know, and enjoy a warm day.”
“I love how the community has all come out together on this beautiful day. It reminds me a lot of home —neverything is musical and artsy, and it makes me happy to see everyone together,” Ella Anderton ’28 said.
Porter agreed, saying, “It’s been some pretty iffy weather, it’s kind of been raining a little bit … but people are coming out, they’re supporting their friends. There are people from the community [who] are here, of all different ages, so it’s really been wholesome and a really great event.”
Porchfest came to a close around 6:30 p.m. While a date has yet to be set for next year’s Porchfest, the Arts Council’s website notes it as an annual “Signature Event,” likely to occur again in Apr. 2026. It generally occurs around spring Lawnparties.
“If you didn’t come this year, definitely come back for Porchfest 2026 … it’s really just a great way to listen to some music, be with your friends, and see new things,” Porter said.
Isabella Roberts is a News Contributor for the ‘Prince’ from Ellicott City, Md.
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
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