The Top Jazz Festivals in the USA
Jazz Festivals
If you’ve ever experienced a music festival, you know there is nothing like it! The energy, the camaraderie, the experience of trying new things and meeting new people, the food… and, of course, the music!
What’s even more exciting about a top US jazz festival is the centuries of history behind the genre and the heritage of the live jazz experience.
Here at the Tucson Jazz Festival, we are passionate about sharing the culture of live jazz events with the world to bring knowledge, enrichment, and joy. Our love for jazz music and culture is contagious.
If you’re looking to tour around the US and catch some of the best jazz festivals, we’re here to share them with you. From one-day events to month-long celebrations, below are some great suggestions on a few top US jazz festivals, followed by our best festival-going tips so that your experience is as smooth as the jazz flowing from stage.
Where to Start
With the rich heritage of jazz music and the incredible time that can be had at a jazz festival, it probably comes as no surprise that there are many fantastic jazz festivals in the USA.
Looking for some advice on where to start? Here is a list of the top US jazz festivals worth adding to your travel plans this year.


Tucson Jazz Festival
Location: Tucson, AZ
Time of Year: January
Of course, the Tucson Jazz Festival is one of our top favorites! We might be biased, but our event has a track record of wowing participants and bringing them back for more.
With 10 years of festival experience under our belt and year-round education programs as well, the Tucson Jazz Fest showcases the best names in jazz, from notable up-and-comers to masterful multi-award winners.
Our local partners, world-renowned cuisine, a bustling downtown, and the national park nearby will only enhance your experience.

South Beach Jazz Festival
Location: Miami, FL
Time of Year: January
This empowering four-day jazz festival in South Florida celebrates accessibility and inclusion. Like many of the best jazz festivals in the US, it takes place throughout a city (South Beach). Many of its shows are free, and all are open to the public.

PDX Jazz Festvial
Location: Portland, OR
Time of Year: February
The PDX Jazz Fest is an 11-day festival that pays respect to Black History Month, with over 100 events happening across the city of Portland. Like other top US Jazz Festivals, PDX allows participants to experience jazz music from a wide range of new and experienced jazz artists.

Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival
Location: Moscow, Idaho
Time of Year: April
You might not immediately think of Jazz when you think of Idaho, but the University of Idaho organizes the remarkable Lionel Hampton Jazz Fest annually. This festival prides itself in being one of the world’s oldest and largest educational jazz festivals. Along with all-star jazz artists, there are over 400 student performances and almost 100 workshops, exhibits, and clinics. The Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival is so great it received the 2008 National Medal of Arts award.

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (aka “Jazz Fest”)
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Time of Year: April/May
Jazz Fest in New Orleans is another top jazz festival in the USA you might keep hearing about. Attracting about 400,000 people each year, this festival celebrates the beautiful things in life – music that moves you, body and soul, food that makes your mouth water, and the handcrafted work of quality artisans.

Jacksonville Jazz Festival
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Time of Year: May (Memorial Day weekend)
The Jacksonville Jazz Fest is a free event, with the option to purchase VIP experiences and upgrades. This is one of the top jazz festivals in the USA, and you’ll want to attend if you like live competition. This festival starts with the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition and continues with entertainment, food, and shopping.

Burlington Discover Jazz Festival
Location: Burlington, VT
Time of Year: June
This top US jazz fest is celebrating its 41st year this year (2024), with Cécile McLorin Salvant (a former/current Tucson Jazz Festival artist) opening the five-day fest. The Discover Jazz Fest is produced by the Flynn Center, which opened in 1930 as a Vaudeville and motion picture venue. Shows are held at multiple venues around the city.

Blue Note Jazz Festival
Location: New York City, NY
Time of Year: June
New York City is known for its extensive entertainment options, and the Blue Note Jazz Fest is among the many. With shows spread across five iconic venues, top jazz performers help the city celebrate jazz for the entire month of June. Venues include Sony Hall, Town Hall, Brooklyn Bowl, SummerStage in Central Park, and collaborations with Jazz at Lincoln Center.
If you can’t attend the festival, you can visit the Blue Note Jazz Club, which has live jazz performances seven days a week.

Sioux Falls Jazz Fest
Location: Sioux Falls, SD
Time of Year: July
Looking for a shorter top jazz fest in the US? Check out the Sioux Falls Jazz Fest in July. This festival embraces the sounds of funk, reggae, blues, and zydeco. It’s a great festival for those needing a kid-friendly option, as it has a kid-friendly area and a youth jazz camp. In fact, the funds raised from beverage and food sales support music education in schools and other youth enrichment programs.

Newport Jazz Festival
Location: Newport, RI
Time of Year: August
If you are a serious jazz enthusiast, this is one to visit for history’s sake. The Newport Jazz Festival, which started in 1954, was the first US jazz festival and kicked off the trend of the live outdoor jazz experience.
This first jazz event wowed 15,000 fans and included performances by Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald, among other well-known jazz artists, and an educational panel.

Vanport Jazz Festival
Location: Portland, OR
Time of Year: August
In August, Portland honors its jazz and cultural heritage at a place of historical significance – the site of a flood that displaced nearly 18,000 people, a quarter of whom were black. This displaced community soon opened jazz clubs in their designated and segregated neighborhood, clubs that consistently attracted top jazz artists, making Portland a city of jazz.

Detroit Jazz Festival
Location: Detroit, MI
Time of Year: September (Labor Day weekend)
While the Detroit Jazz Festival has a foundation that provides year-round events and educational programs (like the TJF), it is also a top US jazz festival known for its lineup of over 60 performances, with a few spontaneous jam sessions sprinkled in for fun.
Admission to the Detroit Jazz Festival is free, thanks to sponsors, donors, and philanthropic organizations.

Chicago Jazz Festival
Location: Chicago, IL
Time of Year: September (Labor Day weekend)
Often tagged as the world’s largest free jazz fest, the Chicago Jazz Festival started out as three separate events (one honoring John Coletrane, one for Duke Ellington, and one from the Jazz Institute of Chicago). This 4-day festival takes place in Chicago’s Millennium Park.

Monterey Jazz Festival
Location: Monterey, CA
Time of Year: September
Since its inception in 1958, the Monterey Jazz Festival has been one of the best jazz festivals in the US. It celebrates our country’s creativity and cultural heritage through legendary jazz performers, artisans, and an international shopping marketplace. JazzTimes Magazine named this fest one of the World’s Best Jazz Festivals. It even has a 1998 documentary dedicated to it, co-directed by Clint Eastwood.

DC Jazz Festival
Location: Washington DC
Time of Year: August/Sept
Celebrate the Capital’s jazz heritage with this two-day festival in Washington, DC. This festival occurs at the Wharf Street Promenade, the District Pier, and Transit Pier. It’s a great festival for those in love with the water, as it takes place on the waterfront. The Wharf Street Promenade shows are free, while tickets to other shows require paid admission tickets. Fun fact: Jazz legend Duke Ellington was born in DC!
What to Expect
If this is your first time at a top jazz festival in the USA, you are in for a treat!
Here are a few tips and suggestions for you to make your time at some of the best jazz festivals in the US a great experience. Knowing what to expect in advance avoids some of the inconveniences that can occur in the festival environment if you haven’t been before or aren’t prepared.
Top USA Jazz Festival tips
Plan in Advance:
If you enjoy spontaneity and are not a planner, you will still have a fantastic time. However, we can confidently say that you’ll have a more enjoyable time if you go to a top jazz festival after doing some homework.
Take a look at the lineup when it is released or at past lineups to get a feel for the type of talent the specific jazz festival attracts. What’s going on outside of the live jazz events? For instance, the nearby Saguaro National Park at the Tucson Jazz Festival is a must-see stop for some of our festival attendees.
Pre-planning allows you to take full advantage of what’s available at a top jazz fest beyond the music.
Check the Weather:
Top Jazz Festivals in the US happen year-round, and they usually run come rain or shine. It’s always a good idea to check in on the predicted conditions a week or so before you go to see what you can expect from the weather. Is it going to rain the whole time? Will it be sweltering? A bit chilly? While you should plan for anything weather-wise, checking, packing, and setting proper expectations is a good idea.
Book Accommodations Early:
While last-minute bookings work occasionally – shows sell out, hotels flick on that No Vacancy sign, and airlines usually raise their prices as the travel date approaches. You can get the best experience by booking accommodations well in advance, especially for busy festivals.
Plan for Anything:
With the wide variety of top jazz events around the US, there are many activities and events to choose from at a festival. It’s a good idea to plan for many situations, such as rain, cold, heat, indoor, outdoor, casual, fancy, etc.
Even at a jazz fest in January in Tucson, where you assume it will be chilly, it’s a good idea to pack some sunscreen. Look ahead to get an idea of what to expect, and then plan at least a little for the unexpected.
Check Out Artists You Don’t Know Before You Go:
With many festivals having new up-and-coming artists in their lineups, it’s easy sometimes to miss a fantastic artist at their start. Stream a few of the artists you aren’t familiar with to see if you want to add them to your must-see list.
Check-in with Festival Amenities:
Even the best jazz festivals in the US can throw you for a loop if you don’t know what’s available during the fest. What does the festival have for you in regards to venue amenities? Do they have indoor bathrooms for patrons or only portapotties? Do they have restaurants? Food trucks? What are the venues like? Do venders accept credit cards? Asking these questions will help you decide what to bring and how to plan your days best.
Look for Festival Partners:
Many top jazz festivals in the United States, like the TFJ, have affiliate partnerships with local places. Keep an eye out for places that offer discounts for festival attendees. You can often find restaurants, gift shops, and boutiques offering specials, discounts, or unique souvenir options.
Things to Always Have on Hand:
Cash—even with the advancement in technology and digital payment methods, some places accept cash only.
Hand Sanitizer—this one is a no-brainer, but sometimes, we still leave the house without it. You never know when a bathroom will run out of soap or when you’ll find some yummy street food that qualifies as finger food.
Sunscreen – even in the cold, there is sometimes sun, and losing track of time outdoors is easy when you’re enjoying a show (or two).
Waterproof bag or container – rain and cell phones don’t always mix. Be sure to grab something to keep your phone safe before the worst happens.
Check the Festival Website for a List of Prohibited Items:
Each venue is different with what they allow you to bring in. Don’t get stuck in a situation where you waste time and money leaving something behind that you’re not allowed to take in. Not all venues allow things like water coolers or backpacks.