One of Central Ohio’s most beloved neighborhood music festivals is getting even bigger.
Organizers of Bexley PorchFest announced this week that the community-driven event will expand in 2026 with the launch of the very first Worthington PorchFest.
The news comes ahead of the fifth annual Bexley PorchFest, which returns on Saturday, May 30, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. The free event transforms neighborhood porches throughout Bexley into intimate live music venues, with attendees walking from house to house catching performances from local musicians along the way.
If you’ve never experienced a PorchFest before, it’s basically a mix between a neighborhood block party and a music crawl.
Front porches become stages, sidewalks become gathering spaces, and the entire community turns into one big walkable festival.
Founded by Hops & Gather, Bexley PorchFest has grown rapidly since its debut and has become a signature warm-weather tradition for many Central Ohio families. Last year’s festival drew more than 2,500 attendees and featured dozens of performers spread throughout the neighborhood.
Now, organizers are bringing that same energy north with the addition of Worthington PorchFest.
“What started as a grassroots community event in Bexley has grown into something much bigger than we ever imagined,” said Hops & Gather founder Tim Pitts in the announcement. “The launch of Worthington PorchFest is an exciting next chapter that allows us to expand the PorchFest experience while continuing to support causes that matter deeply to our communities.”
The concept is part of the larger PorchFest movement, which now includes more than 175 festivals across North America. But Bexley’s version was the first established in Central Ohio, helping spark local interest in these community-centered music events.
In addition to live music, the festival also has a philanthropic mission.
Through Hops & Gather, proceeds from PorchFest events have supported organizations focused on Alzheimer’s disease awareness and dementia caregiving support, including the Central Ohio chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and The Day By Day Foundation.
This year’s Bexley PorchFest will feature:
- Live music across neighborhood porches
- Artists spanning multiple genres
- Family-friendly activities
- Food and drink offerings
- Walkable community experiences
- Opportunities to support Alzheimer’s-related causes
Additional details about performer lineups, maps, sponsorships, and volunteer opportunities for both events are expected in the coming months.
