Old Wethersfield

The Porchfest Lineup

Musicians voluntarily take to the “stage” at their designated times and perform for the public. Signs with artists’ names and performance times are usually posted in front of venues and online.

What is Porchfest?

Porchfest music festivals began as a means for neighbors and local community members to highlight their music on front porches. The concept was to find musicians and porches on which they would play. Bands, singers, and instrumentalists participate in the festival for no other reason than to showcase their talents and engage the community. Music is diverse and can range from country to pop, classical, reggae, blues, rock, jazz, Latino, R&B, folk and many others.

What to Expect

Join us on August 29, 2026 Porchfest events bring local musicians and neighborhoods together to celebrate and create a sense of community. Porchfest started in Ithaca, New York, in 2007. Porchfest came to Old Wethersfield in 2019. This year Old Wethersfield is scheduled to have 55 bands/musicians and over 100 vendors tucked along pockets on Main Street!

When are street closings?

During Old Wethersfield’s Porchfest, Main Street is closed to thru vehicular traffic from 9am-5pm (Hartford Ave. to Garden Street), as the streets are full of families, friends, and music.

During Old Wethersfield’s Porchfest, Main Street is closed to thru vehicular traffic from 9am-5pm (Hartford Ave. to Garden Street), as the streets are full of families, friends, and music.

Where do I park?

Where to Park for Porchfest: Parking is available on the side streets throughout Old Wethersfield. Please note that only the mid-section of Main Street (from Garden Street to Hartford Avenue) will be closed, so parking is still available on both the north and south ends of Main Street. Be sure to observe all “No Parking” signs.

Additional parking may be found at several municipal lots/areas, including:
    •    Hanmer School
    •    Cove Park

    •    Broad Street Green
    •    DMV

NEW for 2026!

To help reduce congestion, we encourage visitors to rideshare, walk, or bike if possible.

Accessible parking is available at First Church.

Who sponsors Porchfest?

The Shopkeepers! The Old Wethersfield Shopkeepers Association (OWSA)  founded in 1975 is committed to enhancing the success of local businesses through collaborative efforts that promote our rich history, vibrant commerce, exceptional services and diverse entertainment. We are dedicated to giving back to our community, fostering a strong, connected, and thriving Old Wethersfield for all. We also rely heavily on our community volunteers.

A huge thank you to All Waste, Inc. and The MDC for their continued sponsorship of our annual Porchfest event. Thanks to All Waste, Inc. the streets and grounds are able to remain tidy and clean. Thanks to The MDC, we are able to provide visitor with the MDC Water Wagon so that everyone can stay hydrated throughout the day!

We are thrilled to bring back the Kids Zone for 2026! This year’s Kids Zone is sponsored by First Church of Christ in Wethersfield, AWS, Renewal by Anderson, GoNetspeed, Wethersfield Moms Club, Elenor Buck Nature Center.