About Porchfest
Everything You Need to Know
How did Porchfest come to be?
In 2017, the city of Cranford, New Jersey was seeking to create an inclusive, town-wide event for residents of all ages to enjoy. Inspired by a neighborhood music festival in Ithaca, NY, Cranford launched its very first Porchfest that October. Porchfest is a celebration of music for people of all ages when, for one afternoon, porches, stoops, and lawns all over the town became stages and people can stroll from porch to porch, listening, singing, dancing, and connecting with their neighbors.
Porchfest Comes to Cranford.
Every second Saturday of October, Cranford hosts its annual Porchfest with a finale performance downtown.
Cranford residents are invited to host a porch that will feature four, 45 minute musical acts. Want to be a good neighbor? Want to wander about and enjoy the fun? Then we have the event for you!
How does it work?
Cranford’s Porchfest is family-friendly community music festival and open to all! The afternoon consists of porch performances at private homes by individual bands and musicians performing various types of music. The organizing committee manages the basic logistics, coordinates performances and promotes the day.
Is there a map or some kind of schedule?
Coming in September! View it on your mobile device or download a map and print-at-home once details are finalized.
Will you be closing streets?
Yes! The Cranford Police Department will use their discretion to close down all streets with hosting Porchfest proches.
We will still be sharing public space and making every effort to accommodate one another. For drivers, this means slowing down and expecting to find pedestrians, bikes, and families spilling out into the streets. For those enjoying the festival, it means being mindful that sometimes people in cars need to get somewhere. It's the neighborly thing to do.
Do the musicians get paid?
No one does! Organizers, performers, porch hosts, and others all participate are volunteers and all give freely of their time, talents, resources, and hospitality as a neighborhood. This year all performances will be made possible by the voluntary contributions of many people.
Food and Drink
Porchfest has no prohibitions on outside food so feel free to bring your own. Please consider picking up food from one of our local restaurants and packing a picnic! Or, after the finale, head to a local restaurant with friends for dinner
Alcoholic Beverages
There are no alcohol sales or consumption permitted in prohibited public areas. Event performances take place on private property but are linked by public streets and spaces. When in public, you're responsible for your own behavior and subject to all existing ordinances regarding alcohol consumption.
Is there a hashtag?
Use #cranfordporchfest for all your Tweeting, Instagramming and Facebooking needs.
Are there pictures?
You betcha! We hope you'll add significantly this year to our Facebook page. Check out and add to the #cranfordporchfest hashtag on Instagram here.
I've still got questions.
Who organizes this?
The Cranford Porchfest is brought to you by Cranford Community Connection, musicians, and Cranford neighbors, with the added assistance of city officials and the Cranford Police and Fire Departments.
The Details
