2026 welcomes our fifth annual PorchFest DSM, a rolling music festival held on the welcoming front porches of the residents of Union Park in Des Moines, Iowa, on the Sunday after Labor Day. This family friendly, free event will feature 20 musical acts from a variety of genres performing throughout the century-old neighborhood surrounding beautiful Union Park. Festival attendees can migrate from one performance to the next and sit a spell on front lawns and sidewalks to enjoy 45 minute sets of live music.

Maps of porches and performers will be available at the event, here at porchfestdsm.org, and also on our Facebook page. Street parking is available in Union Park, Birdland Marina, and the surrounding neighborhoods, or you can pedal up the hill from the Neal Smith bike trail just blocks away from the music.

Wear walking shoes and feel free to bring a lawn chair, sunscreen, and cash to tip your favorite musicians!

What is PorchFest?

PorchFest is a national grass-roots movement connecting local musicians with a porch where they can perform for an hour while attendees stop to listen, all the while connecting with neighbors and friends. Bikers, runners, skaters, scooters, strollers, packs of friends, or just come on your own, all are welcome to participate!

Local homeowners have an opportunity to host a solo artist or ensemble, needing only to be able to provide a porch and a connection to an electrical outlet for the event.

PorchFest DSM highlights the breadth of musical talent in Central Iowa and brings important attention to historic Union Park. It is our vision that this event become an annual experience that will highlight different historical districts throughout the Des Moines Metroplex.