What is a Porchfest? Porchfest is a neighborhood music festival, which originated in Ithaca, New York as a very simple concept: create an event for local musicians to play music for their community.

Since the first event in 2007, Ithaca's Porchfest has grown from 20 bands to over 180, and it has been joined by over 250 similar events around the U.S., Canada and Australia. Near Eastside Neighborhood Athens (NENA) Porchfest is one of around 10 such events in Ohio, including Akron's well-known PorchROKR.

In keeping with its fundamental purpose to showcase and build community, many Porchfest events-- including NENA's-- include musicians playing at their own home or on a friend's porch. Porchfest events welcome all ages and feature a wide range musical styles, and in some locations– including NENA in our second year–  have expanded to include visual arts, vendors, food trucks, and other activities. The model is that of an all-volunteer event: musicians, hosts, and organizers all participate without compensation, though tips for the musicians (cash and electronic) are very much appreciated.

We look forward to seeing you all at the 2nd Annual NENA Porchfest on Sunday May 18, 2025.

Convenient & FREE PARKING Available for NENA Porchfest

You may know the Near Eastside Athens Neighborhood Athens (NENA) for its legendary Halloween Trick-or-Treating, and maybe you’ve even brought your family to experience it. Well, NENA is now hosting the 2nd Annual Porchfest music festival in Athens on Sunday May 18th, and we’d love to have you come and experience how great our neighborhood is when it’s not Halloween!

Thanks to local businesses and organizations we will have plenty of FREE off-street parking for Porchfest all day on Sunday May 18th. We encourage attendees who are visiting the Near Eastside Neighborhood for Porchfest to park in one of the off-street parking lots and to walk, bike, skateboard, scoot, or tow your children in a Radio Flyer red wagon, around the neighborhood to enjoy the 40 local musicians and bands, plus plenty of other activities at Porchfest this year. 

FREE OFF-STREET PARKING is available at these locations:

• Athens Public Library just off of Home St.

• East Elementary School on Wallace Dr.

• Athens City Fire Department parking lots (at the new fire station building at the Stimson Ave roundabout)

• Athens Community Center and Community Pool Parking lots - 15 minute walk or 4 minute bike ride to the neighborhood

There is also plenty of free parking on-street throughout the Near Eastside Neighborhood, but we ask that residents and attendees NOT park in front of host porches during the event in order to maximize the viewing pleasure of Porchfest attendees. 

Please drive carefully in the neighborhood during Porchfest, as there will be hundreds of people walking and biking around the neighborhood during the event. 

NO!!! This is a FREE event open to the public. Come and enjoy the neighborhood, many musical talents, and other events and activities.

PorchFest is a family-friendly event! In addition to free music all around the neighborhood, we are pleased to announce a FREE kid-centered activity area at the Hughes Funeral Home on the corner of Morris and S. May Avenues. Much thanks to Ewing, Hughes & White Funeral Homes for opening up their space for us, and providing a bounce house from 1-5 PM and bringing in Kona Ice of Athens to the KidZone from 1-3 PM!

The Crafty Art Bus is returning to Porchfest KidZone this year, for another “journey” through SE Ohio Art creation. The Crafty Art Bus is a non-profit organization that has converted a school bus into a mobile art, music, and books studio for kids. At Porchfest they will offer hands-on art activities, popcorn and lemonade, and FREE fairy hair!

Timber Tops Dayhome is hoping to do FREE face painting, and will provide popup tents, giant lego blocks and assistance with games and other activities.

Family and Kid Open Mic will be running at 1-2 PM and 3-4 PM.

Animal Petting Zoo provided by Destination Dirt across Morris Ave from the KidZone at 3 Bolleana Place from 2-3 PM.

Restrooms in the funeral home will be open for use from 1-6 PM, and there will also be a Family Care Room inside for use as needed.

YES, Attendees that are of legal drinking age will be allowed to bring beer and liquor and consume it on the premises of most Porchfest host residences. A few hosts prefer not to allow alcohol; this will be posted on the yard signs. Please respect the wishes of those hosts not welcoming alcohol consumption.

With the exception of parts of Stimson Ave., NENA is NOT in the Athens DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area); therefore, open containers of alcohol are NOT allowed on most public sidewalks, street verges or in the streets. Violations could result in being ticketed.

Alcohol is NOT PERMITTED at the Athens Public Library and most Porchfest business partners, with the exception of Kiser's BBQ (outdoor space only). Please drink responsibly and be courteous to the Porchfest hosts and other attendees.

FOOD & DRINK: If you need sustenance, there will be food for purchase from local businesses and food trucks (see our many other posts about where to go for food), but you can feel free to bring your own food and drink. Plenty of water is particularly encouraged! Most porch venues in the neighborhood are BYOB (bring your own beer/bottle), so you can bring your own bottles or cans of beer, cider or your other favorite tasty beverage. Check the signs at host locations and respect the wishes of those that do not allow alcohol consumption on site. Remember that alcohol is permitted to be consumed on the property of the porch venue hosts, but not on public sidewalks or streets, and you may NOT bring alcohol to the Athens Public Library and most partner businesses. For the safety and comfort of all attendees, please use extreme caution with glass containers, and properly dispose of all refuse (all venues will have trash and recycling containers).

SOMETHING TO SIT ON: Bring some folding chairs or a picnic blanket to maximize your Porchfest experience.

WEATHER PREPAREDNESS: NENA Porchfest will be held RAIN OR SHINE. Both sunscreen and rain gear are smart choices. Umbrellas are permitted as shelter from rain or hot sun. You’ll of course want comfortable shoes and perhaps a hat and sunglasses.

TIPS FOR THE MUSICIANS: The Porchfest model that has spread across the country from its origins in Ithaca, NY is for a “no-budget" event. None of the musical acts in the neighborhood are getting official compensation, so it’s up to you to show your appreciation! There will be tip jars at every venue, as well as Venmo or PayPal links for most artists. So please come prepared to tip electronically or with good old-fashioned cash.

DON’T BRING: As a community event, we won’t have security or bag checks, but please exercise courtesy and common sense. Please leave weapons, drones, fireworks, illegal drugs, and anything else that might be a danger, nuisance, or obstruction at home. If you plan to smoke or vape, please remove yourself to a distance that won’t bother other attendees.

New this year at Porchfest are food trucks. Last year, we heard suggestions that food trucks would be a nice addition to the event. Special thanks to the Athens Chapter of the American Red Cross that has offered up their parking lot for the LUNCHFEST Food Truck Rodeo. We currently have 6 local food vendors committed including; Dr. May’s Thai Kitchen, Mt. Airy Beef, C-R Dogs Concessions, A-Town Pies & Fries, Rise & Grind Coffee, and Chelsea’s Real Food. 

We will also have an Open Mic Stage in the Food Truck area led by Erik Peterson and Tim Buck from 4:00-5:00 PM. If you aren’t playing at Porchfest this year, but wanted to, the Open Mic stage is your big chance!

LunchFest Food Truck Rodeo  - 1:00-6:00 PM, American Red Cross parking lot, Corner of S. May Ave and Morris Ave.

In addition to LUNCHFEST you can also visit:

• The Village Bakery for coffee & pastries (10AM - 1PM)

• Kindred Market (10AM-6PM)

• Jackie O’s Taproom - wood-fired pizza NEW!!! (4PM - ???)

• Jackie O’s Taproom Baked Goods (inside the taproom)

• Kiser’s Barbeque (11AM-6PM)

• Bagel Street Deli @ Jackie O’s Taproom (4-8PM)

• Avalanche Pizza (all day)We hope that you will support our neighborhood businesses.

Yes! Please do!

When posting on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, or TikTok, we’d appreciate it if you tag @NENA.porchfest and the artist as well!

The Athens Porchfest Google Map shows where restrooms are located. 8 area businesses will have their restrooms open to the public (marked on the map with red icons), and there will be port-a-potties throughout the neighborhood (marked on the map with orange icons). Additionally, some venue hosts may choose to allow you to use their restrooms during performances; this will be marked on the venue’s yard sign.

A Family Care Room is available inside Hughes Funeral Home (168 Morris Ave) from 1-6pm, and a Family Care Tent will be setup at the corner of Watt St and Maplewood (16 Watt St).