Jacksonville Jazz Festival 2025

For more than 40 years, the Jacksonville Jazz Festival has united music lovers for a weekend of unforgettable live performances, delicious food, refreshing drinks, and vibrant community energy. As one of the longest-running free music festivals in the country, no general admission ticket is required—just bring your lawn chair and enjoy!

The celebration kicks off on Thursday, May 22, at the Florida Theatre with the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition presented by Yamaha. Five outstanding finalists will compete for a cash prize and a coveted performance slot on the Hart Bridge Stage presented by Publix during the festival.

From Friday, May 23 through Sunday, May 25, join us at Tailgaters Parking for an epic lineup featuring jazz legends, R&B icons, and genre-defying artists—all coming together for one unforgettable weekend of live music in Downtown Jacksonville.

On Saturday, May 24 at 1:30 PM at Intuition Bier Hall, don’t miss our annual Jazz Clinic, featuring A Conversation with Branford Marsalis. This insightful Q&A session will be hosted by Jacksonville Jazz Festival Hall of Fame inductee Na’im Rashid and offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from one of jazz’s most influential voices.

Then, get ready to groove late into the night as the Jazz Jam presented by Hot 106.5 returns on Saturday, May 24. Taking place from 9 PM - 1 AM at Intuition Bier Hall, this high-energy, open improv set features the John Lumpkin Trio with special guest saxophonist Ryan Devlin. Musicians are welcome to join—check the Jazz Jam page for details!

Wrap up the weekend with our Second Line Parade presented by V101.5 on Sunday, May 25 at 5:15 PM. This high-spirited procession will wind through the festival grounds, complete with beads, parasols, and lively music for a celebration you won’t forget.

🎷 All events are free to attend—no ticket needed!
For the full schedule and details, visit JacksonvilleJazzFest.com.