Historic Athens Porchfest
‘That Never Happens at Any of Our Other Shows’ - Porchfest Grows Its Unique Tradition
By Charley Lacey
Thousands of Athens locals and visitors filled the neighborhood streets on Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. for the 2025 Historic Athens Porchfest, a local music festival that turns front porches into stages to celebrate creativity, diversity and community spirit.
The annual event, now in its seventh year, featured more than 260 bands performing across seven historic neighborhoods (Boulevard, Buena Vista Heights, Cobbham, Newtown, Normaltown, Pulaski Heights and Reese-Hancock). Organized by Historic Athens, Porchfest has grown from only a few porches into one of the city’s most anticipated annual traditions.
“It’s fun,” said Dan Horowitz, bassist and co-founder of Klezmer Local 42. “It’s a blast. There’s hundreds of people, and there’s a dog parade. I mean, that never happens at any of our other shows.”
Four members of the Klezmer Local 42 sit on a porch on Sunday, Oct. 19 before their set at Historic Athens Porchfest. The band continuously returns to perform klezmer (traditional Jewish folk music style) at Porchfest each year.
Bands like Klezmer Local 42 have made Porchfest an annual tradition, welcoming returning fans and new listeners each year. Their continuous participation reflects the relationships and tradition that keep the event rooted in its original spirit.
“I think that it’s a great thing to have, and I’m hoping that it persists through time because it kind of represents Athens,” said Eddie Glikin, Klezmer Local 42 percussionist. “It’s old houses and old neighborhoods with music.”
The level of participation has grown with the size of the crowd of Porchfest throughout the years.
Alan Zamarripa (left) and Christian Aldama (right) stand in front of Aldama’s yard sale on Sunday, Oct. 19 at the 2025 Historic Athens Porchfest. Aldama embraced his third Porchfest with the idea of a yard sale for attendees. (Photo/Charley Lacey)
Athens homeowner Christian Aldama set up a yard sale in his front lawn while his neighbors hosted a band next door. His yard sale included a wide variety of options from a drum set to a paddle board. Aldama said this was his third Porchfest, but he chose to embrace it this year and try something new, reflecting the uniqueness and spirit of Porchfest.
This year was the first time for many newcomers such as Alina Karapandzich, who attended Porchfest in support of her friend’s band, Commüne. Karapandzich said the event lived up to its reputation as a must-attend event.
“That’s what I think makes the Athens music scene really special because you just get really cool music, but you also get music that’s oriented towards the community,” said Karapandzich.
Porchfest welcomes all audiences and highlights the diversity of the Athens community.
“I like that there’s choices for everyone,” Karapandzich said. “I just like that it’s kind of choose-your-own-adventure.”
The event offers something for everyone, including a Boo-le-Bark on the Boulevard Costume Dog Parade, a variety of music genres and a local vendor market. New additions to this year’s Porchfest made it more accessible and welcoming to newcomers such as Athens Trolley Tours, an interactive map and updated website.
Porchfest embodies the Athens community with its mix of music, tradition and creativity. It is more than a festival experience. It is a reminder of Athens’ roots and growing community.
