2026 JACKSONVILLE JAZZ FESTIVAL RETURNS TO DOWNTOWN THIS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND WITH A STAR-STUDDED LINEUP
The 2026 Jacksonville Jazz Festival will return to Downtown Jacksonville over Memorial Day weekend, May 21- 24, this year. With an impressive lineup of award-winning performers, the festival will bring music lovers from across the nation to Jacksonville. In light of all the exciting developments downtown and throughout the city, this year’s free jazz festival will be held at Ford on Bay, 288 E Bay Street. The Ford on Bay Stage, presented by Publix Super Markets, features free performances, with Premium Experiences presented by Jacksonville Aviation Authority.
Elevate your Jazz Fest experience by purchasing one of our Premium Experience ticket options: VIP or Preferred. VIP packages offer unmatched comfort and convenience, with a dedicated seating lounge, bars, food and more, for the highest-level festival experience. Preferred seating offers dedicated seating close to the Ford on Bay stage, access to a dedicated bar, and more. Premium Experience tickets are now available here, but are selling quickly and will only be available while supplies last.
In addition to Premium Experience individual ticket offerings, we are also offering exclusive Premium Corporate Chalets as a high ROI opportunity for client entertaining, employee rewards, and brand marketing. Elevate your strategy, unwind in luxury, and reward your team and clients with excellence in an exclusive Corporate Chalet. The chalets offer premier viewing for up to 50 people, and include dinner, a private bar, and more, so you can truly enjoy the live performances.
The 2026 Jazz Fest 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. Please check the Jazz Fest website to secure your upgraded Premium experience tickets for all the incredible artists.
The festival begins on Thursday, May 21, with the cherished Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition presented by Yamaha at The Florida Theater. 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.
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.
More details about this year’s Festival, including the comprehensive four-day event schedule, prohibited items, road closures, parking, and more, will all be released closer to the event. In the interim, for more information and updates, visit the Jacksonville Jazz Festival's social media channels, @JacksonvilleJazzFestival on Facebook and @jaxjazzfest on Instagram and Twitter, and the website jacksonvillejazzfest.com.
Thank you to our sponsors and partners: Publix Super Markets, Jacksonville Aviation Authority, Downtown Investment Authority, Florida Department of Health, Florida Theater, Golin Harris International (Marketing Agency), 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.
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.