On Sunday, September 20, the Plateau’s front porches, lawns, and gathering spots will once again become Highlands’ most charming concert stages as the Sixth Annual Highlands Porchfest returns from 1:00 to 6:00 PM – a free-to-all celebration of music, community, and the creative spirit that defines life on the mountain.
Presented by the Center for Life Enrichment, Porchfest has grown into one of Highlands’ most beloved late summer traditions. CLE, which has served the Plateau for more than three decades, has long championed programs that enrich the mind and nourish the soul.
Porchfest is its most joyful expression of that mission – a day when neighbors, visitors, musicians, and families mingle freely, carried along by the rhythms drifting from porch to porch.
What makes Porchfest so special is its simplicity. There are no gates, no tickets, no barriers, just music offered generously and received with gratitude. Wanderers can stroll from one performance to the next, discovering bluegrass on one corner, folk harmonies on another, and perhaps a jazz trio tucked beneath a shade tree. The festival’s openhearted design invites spontaneity: you might pause for a song and stay for an hour, or follow the sound of a fiddle down a quiet lane to find your new favorite local band.
The 2026 edition promises the same eclectic mix of genres that has defined Porchfest since its inception. While the full performer list will be announced closer to the date, CLE’s musical programming throughout the year – ranging from chamber music to rock, Motown, and Americana – offers a hint of the stylistic breadth audiences can expect. What remains constant is the festival’s commitment to showcasing both Plateau talent and regional artists who bring fresh energy to Highlands’ cultural landscape.
Porchfest is also a celebration of place. Highlands’ historic downtown, leafy streets, and open-air venues create a setting that feels almost tailormade for a roaming music festival. Families spread blankets on lawns, friends gather on steps and stone walls, and the entire town becomes a stage set for connection.
As summer begins to soften into fall, Porchfest offers one last sunwarmed afternoon to savor the season – an invitation to slow down, listen deeply, and remember why the Plateau’s artistic heartbeat is so strong. Mark your calendar for September 20 and join the community for a day of music, memory making, and mountain magic.
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