What is PorchRokr?
PorchRokr is an annual, one day community music & art festival in Akron, Ohio where front
porches become stages, yards become venues, plus friends and neighbors gather to enjoy a
great sense of community and a diversity of music!
 

When is PorchRokr?

Saturday, August 15, 2026
PorchRokr takes place the third Saturday of August each year in Akron’s Highland Square
neighborhood. Porch performances run from 11am to 7pm, culminating with a headliner
performance on the Main Stage from 730pm to 9pm.
 

How does PorchRokr work?
Unlike a traditional location-based music festival a la Bonnaroo or Burning Man, PorchRokr is
one full day of coordinated musical performances on porches, stages, bars & restaurants
located in the Highland Square neighborhood of Akron, Ohio.
The day-of event operations are executed by more than a hundred volunteers of friends and
neighbors in the community. The PorchRokr Planning Committee manages the front-end
logistics, coordinates artist performances & porches, provides 100+ volunteers with t-shirts and
free lunches, and generally works to promote the event and the Highland Square neighborhood.
Basically, we organize the best day of the year in Akron!
 

Where exactly does PorchRokr 2026 take place?
The Highland Square neighborhood surrounds a diverse collection of stores, shops, bars, and
restaurants on West Market Street roughly between Portage Path, Merriman Road, and
Exchange Streets in Akron, Ohio
Each year, PorchRokr rotates through one (1) of four (4) quadrants of the Highland Square
neighborhood, ensuring each section of the neighborhood has an opportunity to showcase its
historical homes, beautiful gardens, and pleasant porches!
For PorchRokr 2026, the quadrant is outlined by:
W. Market Street & S. Rose Blvd to the NORTH,
S. Portage Path to the EAST,
Elmore Ave to the SOUTH,
West Exchange St to the WEST
 

Who organizes PorchRokr?
PorchRokr is brought to you by The Highland Square Neighborhood Association, the PorchRokr
Planning Committee, countless musicians, and hundreds of Highland Square neighbors &
volunteers, plus the City of Akron and various business owners and service providers listed on
our maps & schedule.
 

What about the weather?
First rule of PorchRokr - we don’t talk about the weather!
PorchRokr is a Rain or Shine event! Our porches and performance spaces are chosen based
on their ability to provide shade from the sun and protection from the rain. That said, if
inclement or hazardous weather threatens the timing or execution of the event (ie thunder &
lightning), performances may be delayed or cancelled.
Follow us on Social Media NOW so you can stay informed of any schedule or weather-related
changes LATER. We will not let a little rain ruin our parade! (PS there’s no parade this year,
maybe next…)
 

Do I need a ticket? NO
No ticket is required. The event is family-friendly, open to everyone, and totally free to attend!
Is there a map and/or schedule? YES
In a variety of formats — print-at-home, onsite, online — once all performers, porches and
performance spaces are chosen, maps will be made available.
 

Who should attend PorchRokr? ALL!
Everyone! PorchRokr is a family-friendly event open to all, with a diverse lineup of musicians,
bands, and performers to tantalize your musical taste buds!
 

What should I bring? Hmm.
Hat. Sunscreen. Comfy walking shoes. Cash or credit for beer tokens or souvenir merch.
Folding camp chair or blanket if you choose to sit on a host porch lawn or neighboring
greenspace.
Consider bringing your bicycle if you want to move around the neighborhood and take in as
many bands as possible.
NOTE: Please be respectful of all neighbor’s private property, pack it in / pack it out, and leave
no trace, where possible.
Above all, bring a chill attitude. If you don’t know what a chill attitude looks like, observe the
smiling / laughing / joyous people all around you and do your best to blend in!
 

Are children welcome at PorchRokr? YES
Absolutely! This year’s Kid Zone can be found at TBD location. Here you may find the Akron
Public Library Bookmobile, kid-friendly vendors, free water, porta-potties, plus a city playground
for your little ones to rock on!
 

What's new for PorchRokr 2026? LOTS tbd…
PorchRokr news and announcements will be posted on our social media channels as we get
closer to the event on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
Free rides to PorchRokr via Akron METRO bus line #1, more details TBD...
Running along W. Market Street from the Robert K. Pfaff Transit Center located at 631 S.
Broadway Street in downtown Akron, to the Market Square at Montrose Shopping Center.
Follow us on Facebook & Instagram to see the latest and greatest updates on PorchRokr 2026!
Learn how to ride Akron METRO at YourMetro.org
 

Will there be food? YES
Food Trucks and food tents
12-16 food trucks will be attending PorchRokr 2026.
 

Will there be adult beverages? YES
PorchRokr Beer Garden featuring TBD will be on hand for all your refreshment needs.
Five (5) delicious flavors of TBD will be available for purchase
This year’s PorchRokr Beer Garden can be found at TBD
 

Will there be Free Water? YES
Water stations, provided by Donamarc Water Systems, will be strategically located within the
event footprint. Bring your refillable water bottles!
 

Will there be Merch? YES
PorchRokr merch, like our ever-changing, coveted PorchRokr t-shirts, will be available for sale.
Shirts sell out fast and are only available for purchase on the day of the event.
 

Will there be vendors? YES
More than 60 vendors will be located in driveways, side yards, tree lawns and Devil Strips
throughout the quadrant.
 

Will there be Non-Profits / Advocacy / Agencies? YES
Actual list TBD
 

How can I help? Volunteer at PorchRokr
Volunteers sign up for two (2) hour shifts performing activities like: set-up Saturday morning,
take down Saturday evening/Sunday morning, staffing Information booths, etc
Volunteer here! → click here 
 

What goodies do I get as a volunteer?
A sweet PorchRork Volunteer t-shirt two sizes too big! A food coupon (no such thing as a free
lunch). Feelings of goodness for helping to pull off the best day of the year in Akron? Priceless.
Volunteers will check in at TBD on the day of the event to get their Volunteer t-shirt in their
chosen size, their food coupon, and their volunteer marching orders.
 

How does PorchRokr choose the porches and schedule the bands?
Unlike some other Porchfests where musicians and porches must find each other, PorchRokr
makes an open call for performers and porches/performance spaces.
Performers and porches apply in the Spring, [porches are chosen, performers are chosen, then
performers are paired with porches that suit the size of their ensemble.
Performers are expected to play an approximately one-hour set of (mostly original songs!) on
one of approximately 30+ performance spaces organized by the planning committee.
Performance spaces include porches, temporary stages, plus area bars and restaurants.
 

Why can’t my band choose my time or porch to perform?
Scheduling 120+ performances across the neighborhood in balanced time slots, ensuring
performances on porches do not ‘bleed over’ to other porches requires a fair amount of flexibility
by everyone involved in planning and scheduling, including porches and performers.
 

Tell me more about Scheduling…
Performance spaces (stages and porches) throughout the quadrant are numbered.
ODD numbered porches will host performers on odd hours throughout the day, and
EVEN numbered porches will host performances on even hours.
For example:
Porch #1 will host bands at 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm
Porch #2 will host bands at 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm
 

What kinds of bands or performers should apply?
All kinds! The PorchRokr Performers Committee strives to curate a musical experience as
diverse as the Highland Square Neighborhood. There’s something for everyone! Check the
schedule for artist descriptions and/or follow your ears to the next performance space that suits
your tastes.
 

Do performers get paid?
Each year the Headliner receives a small payment for their performance. All other bands are
currently volunteering their time and energy.
 

Can our band put out a tip jar or Venmo sign?
Yes.
 

Who's performing this year?
Stay tuned to our socials!
PorchRokr 2026 will include 100+ performers spread across 30+ performance spaces. Stay
tuned to our social media channels for band announcements. Chosen performers will be
notified directly via contact information (email/phone) provided on the performer application.
 

WOW! You have a Beer Garden?
YES! The PorchRokr Beer Garden features TBD.
The PorchRokr Beer Garden will accept cold hard CASH plus Visa / Mastercard / Discover /
American Express as electronic payment. We use Square, so any US-issued and most
internationally-issued magstripe or chip cards, plus mobile wallets such as Apple Pay, Google
Pay, Samsung Pay, and Afterpay will be accepted.
 

Is the PorchRokr Beer Garden 21+ ONLY? NO
NO. Underage attendees (i.e. children) are welcome to enter the Beer Garden with parental
supervision. Underaged patrons (not children) entering the Beer Garden will be identified (hand
stamped) as underage.
 

Can I buy a beer at the PorchRokr Beer Garden and carry it to that porch over there…
NO. Sorry, we do not do Take Out and the Highland Square neighborhood is not a DORA.
We sell delicious TBD craft beer to our beer garden customers for their consumption within the
fenced confines of the PorchRokr Beer Garden.
 

Is there a PorchRokr Beer Garden stage? YES
Once again, a stage will be dedicated to entertaining Beer Garden patrons, so you won't miss
out while crushing a cold one.
The Beer Garden opens at 11am, and the PorchRokr Beer Garden stage powered by TBD
begins at Noon!
 

Will the PorchRokr Beer Garden be shaded?
YES! This year’s beer garden will be covered by lots and lots of nice, natural, Mother Nature
inspired shade! Plus, we’ll have a few tents and tables for resting your suds.
 

Will there be porta-potties inside the Beer Garden this year? YES
Is PorchRokr pet friendly? YES
State of Ohio leash laws remain in effect for all patrons in all parts of the neighborhood. Please
be respectful of your fellow PorchRokrs and our neighbors and pick up after your pet.
 

Is the PorchRokr Beer Garden pet friendly? NO
Due to the congested and sometimes chaotic nature of the PorchRokr beer garden we ask, we
request, pretty please, with sugar on top, please leave your pet dragon, pet monkey, pet dog or
cat at home or outside the Beer Garden with a friend.
Service dogs only, please.
 

Is PorchRokr accessible for those with disabilities? YES
Yes! We encourage walking and rolling (wheelchairs, skate boards, bicycles & scooters,
hoverboards, etc) over motor vehicles!
PorchRokr also partners with UDS & Akron METRO to offer accessible transportation
throughout the footprint.
 

Our Commitment to Safety
For attendees, all normal rules of law and order apply and, just like any other day, everyone
remains responsible for their own behavior and welfare when moving from yard to yard, porch to
porch, place to place. Wander around, keep yourself safe, and watch out for others.
Once again, officers from the Akron Police Department will be present on foot to help ensure
everyone’s safety.
 

Will PorchRokr close ALL the streets?
We're committed to the sharing of public space and to making the effort to accommodate
neighbors, drivers, patrons, and pedestrians. That said, some streets will be closed to create the
PorchRokr Beer Garden, the PorchRokr Main Stage, plus food trucks & vendors.
These streets will be CLOSED from approximately 8am to 9pm:
1. T
2. B
3. D
Drivers: this means slowing down and expecting to find pedestrians, bicycles, unicycles,
scooters, and distracted crowds spilling out into the streets.
Pedestrians enjoying the festival, this means remaining vigilant, exercising caution, and
recognizing that people in cars sometimes lose their minds(!) or just need to get somewhere.
So relax, get out of the way, and help make it work for everyone…
Use crosswalks, follow WALK / DONT WALK signals, and be especially careful when crossing
main thoroughfares like S. Portage Path, S. Rose Boulevard, W. Market Street, W. Exchange
Street, etc. After all, it's the neighborly thing to do!
Those missing out on PorchRokr (or just passing through) may not be aware of our annual, one
day music & art festival in Highland Square. Their loss (sad face emoji).
Beyond that, we do everything we can to discourage driving in the festival footprint. In addition
to reducing traffic around more vulnerable visitors, this also helps those who absolutely do have
to drive (ie. those with disabilities) can find adequate parking closer.
 

Is there a hashtag?
Use #PorchRokr for all your socials.
 

Are there pictures from prior PorchRokrs?
YES! Lots of pictures. We hope you will attend PorchRokr 2026 and add to our collection!
Search our socials to see what fun we’ve had in prior years!
Stay Tuned for additional FAQs…