City of Jacksonville

The Ford on Bay Stage, presented by Publix Super Markets, features free performances, with Premium Experiences presented by Jacksonville Aviation Authority. The 2026 Jazz Fest Ford on Bay stage artists include Parliament Funkadelic featuring George Clinton, Ghost-Note, Andra Day, esperanza spalding, Sheila E. & the E-Train, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Kamasi Washington, Moonchild, and many more.

In addition to the Ford on Bay Stage, presented by Publix Super Markets, the 2026 festival introduces a brand-new stage experience, Jazz in the Plaza, set right in the heart of Riverfront Plaza. All weekend, local jazz and R&B artists take the stage, delivering the authentic sound and soul of Northeast Florida’s music community. With additional food vendors on-site and a free, all-ages atmosphere, Jazz in the Plaza is the perfect complement to the Ford on Bay headliner stage.

The festival begins on Thursday, May 21, with the cherished Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition presented by Yamaha at The Florida Theatre. For over thirty years, this event has remained one of the most thrilling musical spectacles around. This year, the five finalists, selected by a blind panel of judges, are Quintin Harris, Max Holm, Ian McCune, Rowan Tucker-Meyer, and Christian Valdes. The winner of the competition will perform at the festival on the Ford on Bay Stage presented by Publix Super Markets.

The 2026 Jacksonville Jazz Festival Commemorative Poster, designed by graphic designer and illustrator Lindsey Overstreet, is bold, vibrant, and impossible to look away from. Her work is inspired by the graphic energy of comic books and pulses with color and intention, capturing classic jazz and Florida imagery in a single dramatic piece of art. Posters will be available for purchase both online and at the festival.

Additional Festival Events

• Jazz Jam, presented by Hot 106.5: Saturday, May 23, 2026, 9:00 p.m.-midnight, Riverfront Plaza, 2 W. Independent Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32202
• Jazz Clinic: Sunday, May 24, 2026, 1:00 p.m., The Jessie, 40 E. Adams Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202
• Jazz Parade: Sunday, May 24, 2026, 5:15 p.m.-6:00 p.m., starting near the Ford on Bay Stage, presented by Publix Super Markets, and ending at the Jazz in the Plaza stage

Important Operational Information

• The prohibited items list is available on the festival website at jacksonvillejazzfest.com/faq.
• All City of Jacksonville point-of-sale locations throughout the festival will be cashless, including beverage booths and the Jazz Store. All major credit cards and tap-to-pay will be accepted.
• Traffic and road closure details are available on the festival Travel page at jacksonvillejazzfest.com/hotel-travel-information.
• General parking information and the parking map are available at jacksonvillejazzfest.com/faq.

Road Closures

Market Street

• From Bay Street to Courthouse Drive: Closed from Monday, May 18, 2026, at 7:00 a.m. to Monday, May 25, 2026, at 6:00 a.m.
• From Forsyth Street to Bay Street: Closed from Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 7:00 a.m. to Monday, May 25, 2026, at 6:00 a.m.

Liberty Street

• From Bay Street south of the Riverwalk, limited access/local traffic only: Closed from Monday, May 18, 2026, at 7:00 a.m. to Monday, May 25, 2026, at 6:00 a.m.

Bay Street

• From Newnan Street to Liberty Street: Closed from Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 7:00 a.m. to Monday, May 25, 2026, at 6:00 a.m.

Independent Drive

• From Hogan Street to Newnan Street: Closed from Friday, May 22, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. to Sunday, May 24, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

Laura Street

• From Bay Street to Independent Drive: Closed from Friday, May 22, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. to Sunday, May 24, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

For more details about this year’s festival, including the comprehensive four-day event schedule, please visit the Jacksonville Jazz Festival social media channels, @JacksonvilleJazzFestival on Facebook and @jaxjazzfest on Instagram, and the festival website at jacksonvillejazzfest.com.

Thank you to our sponsors and partners: Publix Super Markets, Jacksonville Aviation Authority, Downtown Investment Authority, Florida Department of Health, Florida Theatre, Golin Harris International, Tobacco Free Florida, Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, JEA, Jacksonville Transportation Authority, Marriott Jacksonville Downtown, Southbank Hotel at Jacksonville Riverwalk, UF Health, Yamaha, Action News Jax, Cox Media Group station Hot 106.5, iHeart Media station V101.5, and WJCT.

Media can leverage the 2026 Jacksonville Jazz Festival Media Link for logos, artist lineup graphic, schedule graphics, commemorative poster, and more. Media attending and reporting on the event should arrive at Gate #8 and contact Kirsten Barnhorst for entry and direction.

About the Jacksonville Jazz Festival

The Jacksonville Jazz Festival is a free, multi-day music festival produced by the City of Jacksonville Office of Sports and Entertainment. The festival welcomes residents and visitors to enjoy live music performances, food, drinks, and activations throughout the weekend in Downtown Jacksonville along the St. Johns River. For updates and information, please visit jacksonvillejazzfest.com.

About the City of Jacksonville Office of Sports and Entertainment

The City of Jacksonville Office of Sports and Entertainment attracts, hosts, and creates opportunities that drive economic impact, accelerate the Jacksonville brand, and improve the quality of life and cultural engagement for visitors and residents. Jacksonville hosts hundreds of diverse events yearly, making Northeast Florida a premier destination with rich tradition and world-class hospitality. For more information, visit events.coj.net.

About the City of Jacksonville

The City of Jacksonville is the largest city by land mass in the contiguous United States, serving more than one million residents. City of Jacksonville leadership includes Mayor Donna Deegan and a 19-member City Council led by President Kevin Carrico. To learn more, visit jacksonville.gov.