Swampscott PorchFest Returns For 6th Year In 2025

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — Swampscott's PorchFest will return for a sixth year this September as a free, family-friendly celebration of music, creativity and community.

The PorchFest team is accepting sign-ups for hosts, performers and volunteers for the event on Sept. 20 from noon to 6 p.m.

Residents and visitors are invited to stroll from house to house and enjoy a wide variety of musical performances — everything from folk singers to classic rock and soul bands.

PorchFest is a grassroots event that celebrates local talent and neighborhood spirit.

It kicks off at Linscott Park at noon with a performance by the Blue Big Band. There will also be a community drum jam and a pirate show.

Those who live in Swampscott and have a porch, stoop, driveway, or front lawn can host live music. Residents are invited to perform themselves, invite a friend, or be matched with performers by the PorchFest team.

Anyone can participate — whether you play guitar, cello, or kazoo, or sing, dance, or perform spoken word. Acts can range from solo performers to full bands.

Don't have a porch? No problem — the team will do its best to pair you with a host — though placement is not guaranteed.

Sign up to perform here. Those who intend to perform on a friend's porch must sign up as a host first so their address appears in the list.

Volunteers are essential to making this event a success. Help with organizing, outreach, logistics, or event-day support.

Sign up to volunteer here.

Swampscott PorchFest was started in 2019 by ReachArts, a local non-profit arts organization. Since ReachArts' closure in 2025, a dedicated team of volunteers has been working hard to keep the tradition alive.

Local businesses and organizations are invited to sponsor PorchFest and help keep this beloved event alive. Sponsors will be credited on our website and social media.

Contact the organizers at: SwampscottPorchFest@gmail.com.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)