Porchfest returns to Somerville on Saturday, May 9, and applications are now open for participants. The annual event organized by the City’s Somerville Arts Council features mini concerts hosted by residents on their porches, yards – and even on stoops – across the city. All musical genres are welcome from alt rock to zither quartets, and hosts are invited to apply by the April 21 deadline to participate. Volunteers are also invited to apply to be Porchfest ambassadors to assist visitors.

This Women’s History Month, Somerville residents are invited to a storytelling evening on March 31st celebrating women’s stories at “Her Stories, Our Somerville.” Hosted by the Somerville Commission for Women (SCW) and the City’s Department of Racial and Social Justice, the event will elevate women’s voices and experiences through short, spoken word narratives.  

Somerville is kicking off a yearlong push to strengthen the connections between its residents, highlighting City programs, initiatives and community events under a united theme: 2026 is the Year of the Neighbor.