JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Grab your favorite chair and find the perfect spot on the lawn at Metropolitan Park as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival returns on Thursday.
The four-day musical soiree of jam-packed events from May 23 to May 26 is suitable for all ages.
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The event begins with the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition at the Florida Theatre on Thursday, May 23. Five piano finalists will compete to perform at the festival on Saturday. Admission is free. No registration is needed.
Here’s everything you need to know before you go:
Hours and featured talent:
The performances are spread between the Metropolitan Park and the Daily’s Place stage and scheduled at different times.
- Friday, May 24 from 4 to 11 p.m.
- Hear music from Michelle Manzo, Nicholas Payton, The Kenny Barron Trio, Brian McKnight and more
- Saturday, May 25 from 3 to 11 p.m.
- The Douglas Anderson School of the Arts Jazz Combo, Gregory Porter, Huntertones, Robin Thicke and others will hit the stage
- Sunday, May 26 from 3 to 10:30 p.m.
- UNF Jazz Ensemble I, Lizz Wright, The Baylor Project and Jeff Ryan
For a full list of the lineup, click here. The paid dedicated seating options and the VIP packages are sold out.
Road Closures
The Jazz Festival’s has two entrance points for the entirety of the event:
- Westside of Daily’s Place Gate 1
- Eastside of Daily’s Place Gate 4
There will be road closures along Gator Bowl Boulevard from Thursday to Monday, May 27.
- Beginning on Thursday, May 23 at 9 a.m. the westbound lanes closes from Talleyrand Avenue to the Lot J entrance near the Adams/Duval ramp
- Beginning Thursday at 6 p.m. the eastbound lanes close from Lot J Entrance (Adams/Duval ramp) to Lot D & Gator Bowl connection
Lanes will reopen on Monday, May 27 at 6 a.m.
Parking
- Attendees are encouraged to park at lots A,E,J,M,N, and P for $15 per vehicle.
- Lots C and D are reserved for VIP guests and require a parking pass
- Other parking options are available at various lots around EverBank Stadium, Metropolitan Park, and Daily’s Place. The prices range from $15 to $30.
Payments
The event is free but there are changes in payment methods.
- The event is cashless and cash payments will not be accepted. You can use your debit or credit card. There will also be options for mobile and tap payments.
What NOT to bring:
Daily’s Place
- Oversized bags
- Outside alcoholic beverages
- Flash photography
- Chairs or inflatables
Metro Park
- No hard-sided coolers, soft or rolling coolers larger than 6-pack size
- No beach or pole-style umbrellas (over 63”)
- No pets (except for service animals)
- No grills
Click here to see the entire list of prohibited items.
What to bring:
Metro Park
- Factory-sealed bottled water for personal consumption
- Baby formula and baby bags
- Single, collapsible chairs
- Wheelchairs, medical scooters
- Push strollers for children
- Wagons, pull-carts or rolling bags, packs, etc.
- Personal-sized umbrellas
- Blankets and group tarps – 6’x8’ or less, leaving enough space around each blanket/tarp for safe foot passage