Jacksonville Jazz Festival 2025

The Roots, Janelle Monáe and Kool & The Gang headline

Words by Kerry Speckman

For more than 40 years, Jacksonville has been home to one of the largest free jazz festivals in the country, and this year’s line-up promises to be one of the best yet.

The event kicks off May 22 with the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition at the Florida Theatre, where five up-and-coming jazz pianists tickle the ivories for the chance to perform live at the festival May 24 at 4:45 p.m. (and also go home with some cold hard cash). The following three days, which take place at the Tailgaters Parking, east of EverBank Stadium, are jam-packed with performers showcasing a variety of jazz styles from from the funky jazz of Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue to the innovative, hip-hop/jazz hybrid of The Roots. And what Jacksonville Jazz Festival would be complete without an appearance by jazz fusion posterchildren Spyrogyra?

Here are some tips to get the most out of your Jacksonville Jazz Festival experience:

1. While the event is free, attendees can upgrade to VIP level, giving them preferred seating, dedicated bars, access to the VIP Lounge and private restrooms (that’s worth the price in itself!). VIP upgrades are available for single days or the entirety of the event.
2. In addition to music, music and more music, the event includes a marketplace featuring local vendors, so bring your wallet.
3. More than 20 food vendors will be onsite so bring your appetite too.
4. Familiarize yourself with the prohibited items list found on the event website. It could be a long walk to return that giant cooler full of beer to your car. And if you were thinking about taking your Segway or hoverboard to the festivities, forget those too.
5. A dedicated family zone will be set up to make the experience fun and comfortable for the whole family.
6. The music doesn’t stop after the last act ends, as Jazz Fest After Dark returns to The Elbow. From Friday-Sunday from 9 p.m.-1 a.m., venues including The Albatross, Intuition Aleworks, De Real Ting, Circuit Arcade Bar and Volstead host local musicians for late night jam sessions.
7. There is no smoking (including e-cigarettes) at the event.
8. The Jazz Festival happens rain or shine. 
9. Check the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office website for detours and other traffic changes as it gets closer to the event.
10. Have fun!

For all things Jacksonville Jazz Festival, visit jacksonvillejazzfest.com.