Porchfest LA Returns This Weekend with Over 250 Performances Across the City

Los Angeles residents can enjoy a free, community-focused festival of music and performance this weekend as Porchfest LA expands to include both the Eastside and Westside.

The event, taking place Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., will feature over 250 performers at more than 44 homes in neighborhoods including East Hollywood, Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Mar Vista, and Culver City. Performances range from indie folk and jazz to sketch comedy and even a blend of “weird ass comedy meets a Foucault lecture,” according to event schedules. Detailed maps of the Eastside performances and Westside performances are available online.

Porchfest originated in Ithaca, New York, in 2007 and has grown into a nationwide phenomenon. The Los Angeles iteration was first held on the Eastside last year, brought by actor Hélène Udy, and has now expanded thanks to the efforts of Rob Kadota of the Mar Vista Music Project. Kadota emphasized the importance of community connection in a car-dependent city, stating, “L.A., we are such a car-driven place, we don’t get out and talk to our neighbors… It’s an opportunity to really sit outside and contemplate and think about your neighborhood in maybe different ways than we typically think of.” This type of hyperlocal event is increasingly important as communities seek ways to foster stronger bonds.

Organizers recommend attendees consider biking or walking between performances, choosing a few porches to enjoy at a leisurely pace. Both performers and hosts are volunteering their time, making the event entirely free to the public. Officials encourage attendees to bring their own folding chairs for comfortable viewing.

Event organizers plan to continue expanding Porchfest LA in future years, hoping to include even more neighborhoods and performers.