Bristol PorchFest 2025 Returns This Weekend
On September 14, find participating bands playing from sixteen different porches throughout High Street, where guests can enjoy several genres of music including folk, rock, bluegrass and more.
Local band Hollow Turtle participating in a past year’s PorchFest. Photo Courtesy of Arts in Common.
Many people walk through quaint, historic towns like Bristol to admire the old houses that serve as relics from another time, but what if there was live music to liven it up a bit? Local nonprofit Arts in Common provides the community with the opportunity to experience great music from local bands in Bristol’s beautiful historic district. Bristol PorchFest is a free music festival held on ten front porches of residents on High Street in downtown Bristol. On Sunday, September 14 from 3–6 p.m. (rain date September 21), walk down the street and explore what twenty of the state’s local bands have to offer.
During PorchFest, local communities in the East Bay get a taste of live music from various artists without the cost of the average music festival. Last year’s event saw more than 6,000 attendees, and is expected to be just as vibrant this year. Find the bands playing on High Street between Walley and Byfield Streets, where there will be performances featuring several genres of music including Bluegrass, New Folk, Indie Rock, Caribbean/Reggae, Portuguese, Bossa Nova and more
“Beautiful porches and great local musicians in our historic district are the perfect way to welcome the Fall — bringing together friends and neighbors for an autumn afternoon in Bristol,” says MaryKae Wright, PorchFest co-chair and member of Arts In Common.
The twenty-six bands set to play across sixteen porches are a combination of returners like Catnip Junkies, and acts that have never played before, including Nouveau Hot Jazz and East Providence native Ike Dee.
Other musical acts include Michelle Saylors, Hawk in the Nest, Beat Salad, Magnolia, David Richardson Band, Bird and Augur, Colby James. Mt Hope Music, Christina Holmes, Lon E Plynton, Beth Baron, Andre Arsenault, Failte, Roots Run Wild, Heidi Nirk Band, The Whelks, Paula Clare, Rusty Rails,Man Made Hills, Sentimental Fools and Los Duderinos.
The crowd from PorchFest 2022. Photo Courtesy of Arts in Common.
The multitalented groups participating in this year’s PorchFest are sure to put on quite a show, and you just might find your new favorite band on one of the sixteen porches, so make your way to Bristol to enjoy some amazing live music before summers ends. facebook.com/BristolPorchFest
And psst, following the performances, you can head over to Unity Park for an afterparty featuring more live music, refreshments and light bites from local establishments like Pivotal Brewing, Basil & Bunny, Borealis Coffee, O’Brien & Brough and Brick Pizza Co.
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