Rev Up for Garage Band 2026!
Garage Band is the Arlington Porchfest “after party.” Come out for free and family-friendly fun!
This music dance party will return on Saturday, June 20. Enjoy this free community celebration following a day of fantastic music at Arlington Porchfest 2026. Stay tuned for details on performers and family friendly activities.
Part of Live Arts Arlington, Garage Band is brought to you by the Arts Arlington and supported by the Mass Cultural Council, and with special thanks to Arlington Global Service Station.
Arlington Porchfest 2026
Arlington Porchfest 2026, presented by Arlington Center for the Arts, is the town’s grassroots community music festival, bringing local artists, bands, and musicians to porches all over Arlington. The festivities run west to east beginning at noon. All the details about where to find your favorite genre, performer or porch are here.
Saturday, June 20, 2026
12 pm to 6 pm
Arlington PorchFest 2026
Porches and businesses around Arlington
Arlington PorchFest 2026
Porches and businesses around Arlington
6 pm to 8 pm
Arlington Garage Band 2026
Arlington Global Service Station,
334 Mass Ave (next to Walgreen’s)
Arlington Garage Band 2026
Arlington Global Service Station,
334 Mass Ave (next to Walgreen’s)
Support performances in public space in Arlington!
Make a tax-deductible donation to the Town of Arlington’s Public Art Fund – just note your contribution is for “Live Arts” on the form.
HISTORY OF GARAGE BAND
Garage Band reflects the mission of the Arlington Commission for Arts & Culture to bring music, dance, and visual arts to public spaces, and is organized with assistance from its Community Engagement Committee. The event represents the culmination of the Arlington Porchfest experience, which unfolds in neighborhoods throughout the town earlier that day,
In June 2019, Garage Band featured the highly acclaimed old school funk and R&B Bittersweet Band, along with the 100-member community street band School of HONK, an inclusive community street band, welcoming people of all ages and abilities to play music and have fun. Read more about Garage Band 2019 here.
In September 2019, Garage Band made an encore appearance to cap off Arlington’s Town Day with lively concert featuring taiko drummers Odaiko New England, the Dan Fox Foxtet, and the Latin/Caribbean ensemble Grupo Fantasia.
In summer of 2022, following a break during the pandemic, Garage Band returned with the Boston-area Americana Roots band The Squeezebox Stompers, known for their upbeat music, performing Cajun, Zydeco, Blues, Folk, and originals with instrumentation that includes accordion, keyboards, fiddle, saxophone, harmonica, penny whistle, guitar, bass and drums. Visit their Facebook page here for more information.
2023 had folks of all ages dancing to the sounds of The Torchtones, with a newly expanded closed off side street dance area!
THE VENUE: ARLINGTON GLOBAL SERVICE STATION
Arlington Global Service Station serves as a perfect venue for Garage Band. Owner Abe Salhi was inspired to bring art to his establishment when he heard about his neighborhood’s designation as Arlington’s first Cultural District. Working with local artist and client Johnny Lapham, he gave the station a new look, embellished with colorful circles and stripes straight out of a Dr. Seuss story. The Chamber of Commerce awarded Salhi “Business of the Year” in 2019 in recognition of his private sponsorship of public art. Now this vibrant service station hosts a celebratory dance free-for-all!
You can help support art and performances in public spaces in Arlington by making a tax-deductible donation to the Public Art Fund on the town website – just note your contribution is for Live Arts on the form.
