Porch Host - Virginia Highland Porchfest Application
About the event
About the application
About the Event
Virginia Highland Porchfest is BACK for its 6th year on May 16, 2026. Local bands will be jammin' and porches will be hoppin' as music fills the neighborhood.
If your residence is within the boundaries of the festival map, you can sign up to host a band on your porch. If interested and available, please fill out the following form by April 1.
For safety purposes, we are not accepting porches on the roads surrounding the event boundaries — Virginia Ave NE, North Highland Ave NE, Greenwood Ave NE, and Ponce de Leon Pl NE, as well as Barnett St NE.
Festival Streets:
Virginia Cir NE
De Leon St NE
Adair Ave NE
Highland View NE
Ponce de Leon Ter NE
Drewry St NE
Todd Rd NE
Rupley Dr NE
If you would like to request a specific band, they MUST complete a separate band application before the March 15 deadline. Please note that houses requesting a specific band may also be asked to host a second performer, in order to accommodate opportunities for more bands to be accepted.
Application Timeline
- Applications are due by April 1
- Host approvals will be notififed by April 15
- The volunteer Porchfest Committee will match bands with porch hosts and share the schedule prior to the event.
Band Application (due by March 15): https://www.eventeny.com/events/applications/application/?id=7748
What's New in 2026:
We’ve made a few thoughtful upgrades this year to improve safety, flow, and the overall experience for everyone participating:
- Expanded restroom access and trash services
- Dedicated crossing guards at key intersections to help keep pedestrians moving safely
- Clearer parking guidance to support safer, less congested streets outside the festival
- A decentralized footprint, with the festival opening up on Barnett St to ease crowding
- More wayfinding signage to help guests navigate with ease
- Bike valet service to encourage alternative transportation
Nominal ticketing to support expanded event infrastructure, accessibility, and neighborhood initiatives
Please read the terms and conditions before applying.
Terms & Conditions
- Applicants certify that all information provided on this application is accurate and true.
- Porchfest hosts must be within the event boundaries to be accepted.
- Porch hosts must agree to the liability waiver attached in order to be accepted.
- Porch hosts agree to allow musicians to connect to their electricity (porches are not required to provide equipment or cords).
- Once notified of acceptance, please send the liability waiver to events@virginiahighlanddistrict.com by April 30.
Related files
Questions on the application
User information
- First name
- Last name
Additional information
- First and Last Name
- Phone Number
- Address (including house number and street name)
- Have you been a Porchfest Host in previous years?
- Festival Street
- What times are you available to host a band on Saturday, May 16?
- Do you have a band request?
- Band requests can only be honored if the band ALSO completes a separate application (deadline: March 15)
- As there are significantly more band applications than porches, we may need porches to host more than one performance. There will be a minimum of a one-hour break between bands.
- We often receive applications for amazing performers that may be less "traditional" groups (ie DJ, kids group, a capella group, choir, etc)
- Once bands are assigned (based on your stated availability), changes are extremely difficult.
- Additional Comments
