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Cortland Porchfest Rocks the Block

Aug 07, 2025
Experience Cortland
3 mins
A man and woman hold hands, standing together in front of a crowd listening to live music.

Get ready, Cortland—PorchFest is back and bigger than ever! On Sunday, August 17, the Van Hoesen neighborhood will be transformed into a one-of-a-kind music festival, where porches become stages, lawns turn into venues, and neighbors become friends. This free, family-friendly event is one you won't want to miss.

When & Where

Date: Sunday, August 17, 2025
Time: Noon to 5 PM
Location: Van Hoesen Neighborhood (Chestnut, Harrison, Joy, and Hamlin Streets), Cortland, NY

Big Ol' Block Party

The streets of Van Hoesen, Chestnut, Harrison, Joy, and Hamlin will be taken over by some front porch-pickin'-neighborhood-singin'-good-times. Local community members lend their porches and driveways in this cozy Cortland neighborhood for dozens of musicians to perform.

Porchfest activities kick off at noon with a not-to-be-missed kid's parade, flanked by uproarious bagpipers and oodles of confetti. Followed by a line up of over 30 live acts, from folk to rock, bagpipes to banjoes, there is a little something for everyone all day long! Get ready to rock & roll until the cows come home (or, at least until 5 PM). 

Streets are lined with tents hosting all sorts of Cortland County nonprofits bringing the merriment. There are tons of of games and craft activities for the children happening throughout the day, so get ready to get creative.

Handmade Porchfest sign attached to Harrison Street sign.
Woman sing into microphone from porch.
Female child sitting on lawn, with back to camera wearing a Porchfest t-shirt that reads: "love thy neighborhood."
Women and children with backs to camera walking toward PorchFest tents and crowd.
Porchfest shirts with smiling face.
Boy and girl posing for photo with brightly colored props.

Preparty

You're going to need to warm up you dancing muscles before the big event. Kick off the day with sun salutations and good vibes at the PorchFest Community Yoga session hosted by Heart Centered Yoga. 

This is an all-levels, donation-based class, and 100% of donations go to support PorchFest. Even better? For every person who attends, Heart Centered Yoga will donate again. So bring your mat, your water, and your friends and  fill the court! Sign up at cortlandyoga.com 

Time: 7AM | Location: Suggett Park Basketball Courts

Party Favors

Where you even there if you don't have a t-shit to prove it? Molly Reagan’s (Good Neighbor Art) Porchfest t-shirts have such a cult following that the line wraps around the block before the music even begins! Each year the logo changes but the theme remains the same, "love your neighbor." From t-shirts to hats and everything in between, all the cool kids will be sporting this year’s logo. Rumor has it there might even be a throw back design in honor of Cortland PorchFest's 10th year. 

Press Pause

Need to cool down between sets? Grab your Cortland County Ice Cream Trail map and head just around the corner to the Frosty Caboose at 107 Homer Ave. This converted train car serves up Perry’s Premium Ice Cream, and the Peanut Butter Buster Sundae is a PorchFest favorite: Peanut Butter Cup hard ice cream, chocolate syrup, peanut butter sauce, candy pieces, whipped cream, and a cherry on top. Order it to-go so you don’t miss a beat!

Plan Your PorchFest

Bring a lawn chair, lace up your walking shoes, and don’t forget your smile—because rain or shine, the PorchFest party rolls on! More than just a music festival, PorchFest Cortland is a full-blown block party. Meet new friends, belt out all your favorite tunes, and make memories that’ll last long after the amps cool down.

From toddlers to retirees, there’s truly something for everyone at this community celebration that’s been rocking the block for a decade.

For more updates and full schedule, follow @PorchFestCortland 

Photo of a black and white doodle drawing that says home, framed by rainbow streamers.

Get your daily dose of Cortland cool. Tag @experiencecortland607 and use #experiencecortland to snag your shot at Insta-fame!

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