Five years ago, Irina Rasputnis knocked on doors in her Central Tacoma neighborhood asking strangers if bands could play on their porches. Most said no. Fifty bands signed up anyway, overnight.

On Saturday, July 18, and Sunday, July 19, 2026, Porchfest returns for its fifth year as a free, walkable music festival spreading across front porches and yards on both sides of Sixth Avenue.

Saturday's performances take place south of Sixth Avenue; Sunday's shift north.

The event has grown from 50 bands in 2022 to more than 300 in 2025. Rasputnis told SouthSoundMag the growth is "getting to the point where doubling would be ridiculous."

Rasputnis moved to Tacoma from Boston in 2019 and launched Porchfest after pandemic lockdowns left her craving neighborhood connection. She'd originally planned a 2021 start but delayed a year because of a second COVID wave.

"When we launched Porchfest, there was kind of this magic moment of, like, musicians were eager to get back performing in front of people in person instead of live streaming their sets from, like, the living room or whatever, and people wanted to get back out in a way that still felt safe to them," Rasputnis told SouthSoundMag.

The lineup has expanded well beyond music. Past years have included a parade, film screenings, poetry readings, tap dancing, cosplay, and wrestling matches.

Performers receive an honorarium of about $100 per band, with bands that include BIPOC members receiving about $150, according to the Porchfest FAQ. All genres are welcome, including spoken word, comedy, and improv.

Close to 200 volunteers staff the event each weekend, and a year-round planning committee handles permitting and grant writing. The festival is organized in partnership with the Central Neighborhood Council, North End Neighborhood Council, and the Sixth Ave Business District, with funding from Tacoma Venues & Events and individual donations.

The City of Tacoma has granted it a Citywide Event Designation.

Rasputnis said she hears every year from bands placed on the same porch who end up gigging together afterward. She also fields requests from residents in other Tacoma neighborhoods who want their own version.

Her answer: she'd welcome more Porchfests citywide, but she only has capacity for the one in her neighborhood.

For 2026, a couple living on a street slated for closure needed access to get to their wedding venue. Rasputnis said they reached out, and the team built a plan around them.

Volunteer and porch-host sign-up forms remain open at tacomaporchfest.org. Performer applications are closed. Admission is free both days.