(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- The Jersey City Jazz Festival returns in 2026 with its biggest event yet, inviting music fans of all ages to experience jazz from across the spectrum including straight-ahead, Latin jazz and more throughout an unforgettable three-day celebration. Presented by Exchange Place Alliance, the free event runs from Friday evening, May 29 through Sunday, May 31 along the Hudson River waterfront at Exchange Place Plaza, offering sweeping views of lower Manhattan.
This year's lineup brings together acclaimed international performers, standout New York City talent and rising voices shaping the future of jazz: Andromeda Turre, Alex Wagner & Alex DeLazzari Quintet, Bobby Sanabria & Ascension, Charlie Sigler Organ Band, Chembo Corniel Quintet, Chicha Libre, Dave Kikoski Quartet (featuring Billy Hart, Steve Nelson, & Joe Martin), Honk NYC!, Hyeseon Hong Jazz Orchestra, Joe Lovano "Trio Tapestry" featuring Marilyn Crispell & Carmen Castaldi, John Benitez and Revolution, Melvis Santa & Jazz Orishas, Moses Patrou, Nate Smith, Nelson Gonzalez, Saha Gnawa, The Eddie Palmieri Experience (featuring special guests Conrad Herwig, Jimmy Bosch, and Zaccai Curtis presented by Louis Fouché & Luques Curtis), The Roy Hargrove Band, Tim Berne 6, Winard Harper & Jeli Posse, Riverview Jazz All-Stars, NJCU Jazz Combo, and UCMP's Latin Jazz Ensemble. The complete lineup is available here.
Designed to welcome both locals and visitors, the Jersey City Jazz Festival continues to grow as a destination event that's easy to reach via PATH train and Hudson-Bergen Light Rail for a day trip or a full weekend immersed in live music, culture and community.
Drawing more than 30,000 attendees annually, this year's event will bring the Jersey City Jazz Festival together with the Jersey City Latin Jazz Festival for the very first time and extend the music into a three-day experience that reflects the full spectrum of jazz.
Performances will take place across multiple stages, creating a dynamic, open atmosphere where audiences can move freely between styles, sounds and spontaneous musical moments. Known as a true "musician's hang", the festival fosters an environment where artists connect, collaborate and celebrate their craft in a relaxed, welcoming setting.
Beyond the music, attendees can explore a curated artisan marketplace, enjoy a wide selection of food trucks and take part in the Community Zone, which features free activities for children along with interactive dance classes for all ages.
Leading up to the main event, a pre-festival Jazz Week offers a series of ticketed performances across Jersey City venues, providing an intimate prelude to the waterfront celebration, including:
May 26 with Emily Braden at The Junto, Tim Berne 4 at Pet Shop, Nobuki Takamen Trio at 87 Sussex
May 27 with Champian Fulton at The Junto, Ian Kenselaar Jam Session at Pet Shop, LaMP and Beninghove's Hangmen at White Eagle Hall, Seg March & Live in the Garden Jam at Sip Studios Presents
May 28 with Brooklyn Circle at Pet Shop, Lezlie Harrison at The Junto, Swingadelic at Brennan Courthouse, Edmar Castaneda at The Statuary
Ticket information is available HERE.
Open to the public at no cost, the Jersey City Jazz Festival continues its mission of accessibility while offering options for those seeking enhanced experiences. Limited VIP packages are currently available, which include premium reserved seating, a private lounge, access to Jazz Alley, dedicated restrooms and an exclusive tote filled with festival merchandise and essentials for $200. Jazz Alley passes are also available, offering entry to a dedicated stage and bar area with additional performances (click HERE for Jazz Alley schedule). Pricing is $50 for a single day or $95 for the full weekend.
This year's Jersey City Jazz Festival is made possible through the generous support of Exchange Place Alliance, RWJ Barnabas Health, and supported in part by funding through the NJEDA's A.R.T. - Phase II Grant Program, Chamber Music America, Jersey City Arts + Culture Trust Fund and the HCOCHA TD LAP Grant, as well as Community Zone partner the Jersey City Free Public Library, festival sponsor Fifteen, lodging partners Hyatt House and Hyatt Regency, and media partner WBGO.
Riverview Jazz is a Jersey City-based non-profit organization that produces year-round world-class shows for the community, including the Jersey City Jazz Festival and the Jersey City Latin Jazz Festival. "Our goal is simple - We believe in throwing a damn good party for the people, but a party with some of the best musicians you'll ever hear. That's how we can engage our communities with the wonderfully diverse world of "jazz" for generations to come." - Bryan Beninghove, Director, Riverview Jazz
