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FAQ

Where and when is the 2023 Jacksonville Jazz Festival?

Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition presented by Keyboard Connection – The Piano Place: Thursday, May 25 from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. at the Florida Theatre

Swingin’ Stage presented by Publix  – Riverfront Plaza & Groovin’ Stage presented by JAA – Ford on Bay:
Friday, May 26: 4 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Saturday, May 27: 4 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Sunday, May 28: 4 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

Jazz Clinic presented by V101.5: Saturday, May 27th at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. at the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts

 

LOCATIONS:

  • Swingin’ Stage presented by Publix at Riverfront Plaza: 2011 Independent Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32202
  • Groovin’ Stage presented by JAA at Ford on Bay: 288 E Bay St, Jacksonville, FL 32202
  • Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition presented by Keyboard Connection – The Piano Place at the Florida Theatre: 128 E Forsyth St #300, Jacksonville, FL 32202
  • Jazz Clinic presented by V101.5 at the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts: 300 Water Street Jacksonville, FL 32202
  • Jazz Jam at One Enterprise: 225 Water St., Jacksonville, FL 32202

What should I bring with me? / Festival Entry Policy

This year’s festival will be cashless, so be sure to bring credit or debit cards. A chair and an umbrella are always a good idea.

Entry Policy: 

To provide a safer environment for all guests, all entry points into the Festival will be staffed with security team members who will facilitate a brief bag inspection. Guests without any bags at all may proceed through the entry point without stopping for expedited entry into the festival. There are no bag dimension limitations for entry, however, please note larger bags take longer to search and will cause delays so we ask that guests only bring what is necessary for their needs at the festival.

All guests and their belongings may be searched upon entry into the festival. By entering the event space, guests consent to such searches and waive any related claims that they may have against the City of Jacksonville or its partners. If guests elect not to consent to the searches, they will be denied entry into the festival.

There are no provisions to check items at the gates. Guests will be asked to either take prohibited items back to their vehicles, if they have not entered the event space, or dispose of prohibited items at the entry point. The City of Jacksonville as well as its members, officials, officers, employees, and agents are not responsible for items left behind, lost, stolen, or damaged. Possession of prohibited items onsite is grounds for ejection from the festival.

 

The following items are prohibited:

  • Hard-sided coolers, Soft or rolling coolers larger than 6-pack size
  • Personal tents, shade canopies or other shelters/shacks, sport-brellas, etc.
  • Beach or pole-style umbrellas (over 63”)
  • Pets (except for service animals)
  • Grills
  • Alcohol
  • Non-Factory sealed water for personal consumption
  • Picnic and Catering Meals
  • Professional video and audio recording equipment or noise making devices
  • Weapons (Knives, Guns, Explosives, or any items that can be construed as a weapon other than permitted pursuant to Fla. Stat. §790.06)
  • Illegal Substances of any kind and other contraband
  • Personal transport devices such as Skates, Skateboards, Bicycles, Scooters, hoverboards, Segways, golf carts, etc.
  • Projectiles including Balls and Frisbees
  • Signs/Flags larger than 2’x3′
  • Drones or other Flying Objects
  • Unauthorized soliciting and vending
  • Laser pointers
  • Inserting stakes, poles, or any other objects into the ground, or use of ropes, cords, tape, etc. to reserve space
  • Any other item deemed unacceptable by the City of Jacksonville.

 

Items allowed into festival:

  • 6-pack or smaller soft coolers
  • 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

 

The City of Jacksonville reserves the right to adjust prohibited items at any given time without notice.

Do I need a ticket to attend?

The Jacksonville Jazz Festival is free to attend, no ticket required! Just bring a lawn chair, comfortable shoes and good energy for the weekend! Premium Experience packages for the 2023 Jacksonville Jazz Festival have sold out. No additional packages will be made available for purchase.

Please note: All Premium Experience packages are non-refundable. This festival is a rain or shine event and all performers are subject to time change or cancellation.  The Jacksonville Jazz Festival will not facilitate the transfer or reselling of any packages. For additional FAQ’s regarding packages, please visit the VIP and Preferred Seating pages.

What if it rains?

The festival is a rain or shine event. In the event that there is inclement weather, as determined by the festival’s Emergency Operations Command, there is a chance that performances will be rescheduled or cancelled. The safety of all event attendees and performers will remain our number one priority.

I want to perform at the 2023 festival, how can I apply?

Thank you for your interest in participating in the 2023 Jacksonville Jazz Festival! Unfortunately, performer applications for 2023 closed at 11:59pm on Wednesday, December 28, 2022. To receive email notification of future Jacksonville Jazz Festival performer applications, please CLICK HERE to sign up.

Please note: To be considered for performance at the the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, you must complete the application during the scheduled entry period. Performers will not be accepted for consideration via email, social media, phone or mail.

I collect the annual Jazz Fest posters, how may I reserve a poster this year?

We’re glad to know you love our commemorative posters just as much as we do! Our 2023 commemorative poster designed by Rachel Henley is now available for purchase from the Official Jacksonville Jazz Festival Store.

To see this year’s design and learn more about the artists, please CLICK HERE.

Is the Sacred Jazz Brunch still happening?

This year we are switching things up and encouraging Jacksonville Jazz Festival attendees to explore the amazing brunch options found within a short distance of the festival! Click here to check out a list of mouthwatering brunch places to try on Visit Jacksonville‘s website!

How do I become a volunteer for the Jacksonville Jazz Festival?

Thank you for your interest in volunteering! Please register to volunteer for this year’s Jacksonville Jazz Festival at https://cityofjacksonville.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/ and if you have any questions, please email Paige Wright at PWright@coj.net.

My company is interested in becoming a sponsor. Who do I contact?

If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities for the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, please email events@coj.net

Is the festival accessible to people with disabilities? Is there available parking near by?

Yes, the street festival and all festival venues are ADA accessible. If you need specific accommodations please email your request to events@coj.net at least two weeks (10 business days) before the festival.

Downtown public parking garages will be open and will have disabled parking on a first come first serve basis. We recommend the Jax Center Garage and Yates Parking Garage. You may reach out to each garage to see if accommodations can be made to reserve a spot.
(904) 350-9701 – Jax Center Garage               (904) 255-5867 – Yates Parking garage

ENTRY POLICIES AND PROHIBITED ITEMS

To provide a safer environment for all guests, there will be entry points at the 2021 Jacksonville Jazz Festival. Entry points will be staffed with security team members that will facilitate a brief bag inspection. Guests without any bags at all may proceed through the entry point without stopping for expedited entry into the festival. There are no bag dimension limitations for entry, however, please note larger bags take longer to search and will cause delays so we ask that guests only bring what is necessary for their needs at the festival.

The following items are prohibited: Coolers, Tents, Grills, Alcohol, Non-Factory Sealed Drinks, Picnic and Catering Meals, Weapons (Knives, Guns, Explosives or any items that can be construed as a weapon other than permitted pursuant to Fla. Stat. §790.06), Illegal Substances of any kind, Roller Skates, Skateboards, Bicycles, Scooters, Projectiles including Balls and Frisbees, Noise Making Devices, Signs/Flags larger than 2’x3′, Drones or other Flying Objects, any other item deemed unacceptable by the City of Jacksonville

All guests and their belongings may be searched upon entry into the festival. By entering the event space, guests consent to such searches and waive any related claims that they may have against the City of Jacksonville or its partners. If guests elect not to consent to the searches, they will be denied entry into the festival.

There are no provisions to check items at the gates. Guests will be asked to either take prohibited items back to their vehicles, if they have not entered the event space, or dispose of prohibited items at the entry point. The City of Jacksonville as well as its members, officials, officers, employees and agents are not responsible for items left behind, lost, stolen, or damaged. Possession of prohibited items onsite is grounds for ejection from the festival.

What are the dates and hours of the festival?

The festival will kick off with the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition presented by Keyboard Connection – The Piano Place on September 29 at the Florida Theatre, and continue October 1-3 with two stages of live, free entertainment.

September 29 •  Piano Competition: 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
October 1 • 4 p.m.-11 p.m.
October 2 • 2 p.m.-11 p.m.
October 3 • 2 p.m.-10 p.m.

What is the location of the 2021 festival?

The festival will kick off with the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition presented by Keyboard Connection – The Piano Place on September 29 at the Florida Theatre, and will continue October 1 – 3, 2021 in Downtown Jacksonville with two stages of live, free entertainment along the St. Johns River. The Swingin’ Stage will be at Riverfront Plaza and the Groovin’ Stage will be at Ford on Bay, with the two stages connected via activations along Independent Drive.

 

I ordered a Premium Experience package, when will I receive it?

Thank you for your purchase! This year we have made your experience even better with our new VIP wristband. This wristband will be included in your package and mailed to the address submitted during your purchase.

Orders will begin shipping September 7th.

If you ordered before September 20, 2021 and selected for us to ship your order, it is on the way soon. If you are picking up your order, you can do so from the office of the Division of Sports & Entertainment or from the office of Visit Jacksonville at the times listed below:

VIP Pickup at Ed Ball: Address: 214 N. Hogan Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 – Floor 4

  • Monday, Sept. 13th – Thursday, Sept. 30th, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Sept. 29th, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

 

VIP Pickup at Visit Jax: Address: 100 N Laura St. #120, Jacksonville, FL 32202

  • Friday, Oct. 1st, 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, Oct. 2nd, 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, Oct. 3rd, 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.