Arlington Porchfest Returns This Weekend With Free Music, Dance, and Arts

ARLINGTON — Arlington's free neighborhood music and arts festival Porchfest is set for this weekend, per Arlington Patch, while the public schools send their youngest students home for the summer Thursday and close for Juneteenth on Friday.

SCHOOLS

Arlington Public Schools kindergartners wrap up the year on Thursday, June 18 — a date that reflects snow-day make-ups — and pre-K students do the same with a half-day and an 11:30 a.m. dismissal. All schools are then closed Friday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth. Families of incoming students should note that Kindergarten Screenings are scheduled for Monday, June 22.

The district's website highlights several other recent developments: a reusables rollout now under way across school buildings, a Superintendent's message marking the completion of the new Arlington High School, and a notice that the Arlington Human Rights Commission has vacancies to fill. State accountability data released earlier this year showed the district continuing an upward trajectory in 2025 results.

ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS

"Arlington Porchfest Approaching This Weekend" — the annual free event will bring musicians, dancers, and visual artists performing across multiple genres and styles to porches throughout town, per Arlington Patch. (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/arlington)

"Arlington Adopts New Comprehensive Plan To Guide Growth Through The Next Decade" — with the planning document formally adopted, town officials have moved into the implementation phase of the long-range growth framework, per Arlington Patch. (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/arlington)

"New City Microcreamery Postpones Arlington Grand Opening Event" — the new dessert shop has opened its doors to customers even as its formal grand-opening celebration has been pushed back to a later date, per Arlington Patch. (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/arlington)

COMING UP

- **Thursday, June 18:** Last day of school for Kindergarten (full day) and Pre-K (half-day, 11:30 a.m. dismissal), Arlington Public Schools - **Friday, June 19:** No school — Juneteenth - **This weekend:** Arlington Porchfest, free town-wide community event featuring music, dance, and visual arts (per Arlington Patch) - **Sunday, June 21:** Family Funday (per Arlington Patch calendar) - **Monday, June 22:** Kindergarten Screenings, Arlington Public Schools