Happy PlumFest 2026! PlumFest is without a doubt one of the best days of the year for live music fans and an exceptional example of teamwork, volunteerism and community-wide coordination, for all to enjoy. Plum Island’s free annual music festival returns on Saturday, September 12th from 12 – 6 pm. PlumFest will feature an outstanding line-up of local and regional bands, proudly transforming local porches on the island into stages for small concerts. PlumFest is a grassroots community operation completely run by volunteers, from hosts to musicians to organizers.
An early participant in the “porch-fest” movement, PlumFest relies on local Plum Island residents to share their yards, porches, and parking lots with an exceptional group of musicians eager to perform for visitors. Growing in numbers each year, this North Shore, MA music festival
features over 100 performers at 50 locations, including residential homes and local island businesses such as: RipTide Cafe & Bar, The Sunset Club, Mad Martha’s and The Cottage.
So what’s the best way to experience this popular music festival? Organizers urge attendees to skip cars and to walk, ride bikes, and bring strollers. Non-island residents, are encouraged to park at the the Plum Island Airport and to carpool as much as possible. PlumFest will have FREE shuttles that will run from the Plum Island Airport parking lot to destinations throughout plum Island. Hop on and off the bus all day as you explore Plum Island while listening to greayon and off of all day to visit different venues and to get to and from your car. The shuttle will run from 11 am – 7 pm giving folks plenty of time to check out their favorite bands and make it back to their cars before the shuttle stops.
With so many amazing bands, how can you find your favorites and discover new ones too? Check out the PlumFest 2026 Schedule in order to view the list of bands, times and locations as well as the shuttle bus stops. If you prefer not to be tied to a schedule… just ride the shuttle and hop off when you hear something you like!
Expect a broad range of music, from full bands to acoustic performances, from bluegrass to classic rock and rap. Performances are scattered all over the island with hot spots like Northern Boulevard, Southern Boulevard on the South End, and Old Point Road. Check out the amazing 2026 lineup.
While there will be a few food trucks out and about, organizers hope that visitors will give back
to the community by popping into local establishments to grab some food and drinks. And if you love a band, purchase a t-shirt or book them for your next event!
Each year PlumFest picks a cause to raise money for. While the festival is entirely free, red buckets are set up at the performers’ locations to collect donations. This year, funds will go to the Boys and Girls Club of Lower Merrimack Valley and club members will be volunteering during the event by staffing the welcome table and supervising the airport parking lot. Donations will enable the expansion of the music curriculum by adding instruction in recording technology, studio engineering and sound management. Over the past four years, PlumFest has donated $25,000 to various causes.
For more fun happenings in Newburyport, be sure to check out our full Events Calendar!
PlumFest 2022: RevelUp
PlumFest 2022: Lynne Taylor Music at The Plum Island Beachcoma
PlumFest 2022: Peter Lavenson & Brother Gary Shane & Slivertones & Friends at the Plum Island Grille
