New York Jazz Festival Calendar: Year-Round Events Guide

Overview of New York Jazz Festivals

The New York jazz festival calendar spans the entire year. While summer is the most prominent season, jazz events occur every month, ranging from small local gigs to large-scale productions. These festivals bring together world-class performers, emerging artists, and devoted audiences. Many events are held at iconic venues like the Apollo Theater, Blue Note Jazz Club, and Minton’s Playhouse, blending history with modern soundscapes.

New York also shares jazz culture with events inspired by other cities. For example, influences from the New Orleans jazz festival appear in some programs, particularly in brass ensembles, second-line parades, and Creole-inspired performances. You’ll even find Mardi Gras–style street bands, traditional NOLA drum rhythms, and collaborations featuring New Orleans born vocalists and instrumentalists.The cross-cultural interaction highlights jazz’s evolution while keeping the local flavor intact.

Major Annual Jazz Events Held in Summers and Winters

Blue Note Jazz Festival (Held Annually in June)

The festival is known for its distinctive artist lineup. Alex Kurkland, programming & talent director of Blue Note Entertainment Group, drives this vision forward. He expresses the event’s core mission of showcasing trailblazing artists. Each of these jazz figures have their unique voice and individuality. Artists in the Blue Note Jazz Festival display remarkable integrity and strength as musicians. In the past, the following figures have graced the event:

• Charles Lloyd
• Louie Vega
• Grace Jones
• Branford Marsalis
• Warren G 
• Savion Glover 
• Emily King
• Infinity Song
• Janelle Monáe
• Saba
• The Soul Rebels
• Gallant and Tank
• The Bangas.

Highlights include:

• Curated collaborations between traditional and modern jazz artists
• Surprise guest appearances and one-night-only performances
• Educational talks and workshops to explore jazz history
  

Harlem Jazz Festival (Held Throughout the Year)

The Harlem Jazz Festival is a group of jazz events in NYC’s Harlem. The festival’s two most notable events are:

• West Harlem Summer Jazz Festival
• Events within the larger Harlem Week. It features jazz, R&B, blues, and more.  

These events span several days to weeks. It showcases icons like Duke Ellington and contemporary artists across varied venues. The bigger purpose is to honor Harlem’s rich jazz legacy. 

Top festivals and series include:

West Harlem Summer Jazz Festival

These are free, outdoor summer concerts held in Morningside Park and St. Nicholas Park. They stretch from spring through early fall. These events feature diverse jazz figures.

Harlem Jazz Series

Weekly live jazz at venues like Mount Morris Ascension Presbyterian Church. It brings famous legends and upcoming stars. Artists like Craig Harris guide the events.

Harlem Week

Harlem Week is a larger summer celebration. It comprises the Harlem Jazz & Music Festival. This 8-day event familiarizes you with local talent. The event is an amalgamation of new and veteran stars. The artists span varied genres. These include jazz, blues,  hip-hop, R&B, salsa, reggae, and gospel. 

NYC Winter Jazzfest (Held in January) 

NYC Winter Jazzfest is a catalyst for the future of jazz. It showcases a broad mix of trailblazing artists. At the same time, it emphasizes the music’s role as a driver for cultural and social change. The festival has been held regularly for over two decades. It serves as a stage for rising talent. 

Winter Jazzfest has an inclusive atmosphere. Both younger listeners and those from other musical backgrounds are welcome. It honors jazz’s tradition as protest music and seeks to bring artists who address social justice to the limelight.

The festival’s Manhattan Marathon will be held on January 9. It will feature the following artists 

• Arun Ramamurthy
• Amir ElSaffar
• New Jazz Underground
• Ekep Nkwelle
• David Murray
• James Brandon Lewis

Unity Jazz Festival at Jazz at Lincoln Center (Held in January)

Unity Jazz Festival is winter’s hottest jazz festival in NYC. Attendees experience an unforgettable weekend of music and a strong sense of community. In 2026, this two-day musical event will feature a varied roster of artists. The star of the show is Trinidadian sensation, Kes and Friends. They are set to bring their distinctive Caribbean vibe to two exclusive concerts featuring Etienne Charles. There will also be first-time JALC performances by DJ Logic. 

The 2026 lineup of artists includes:

• Solomon Hicks
• Jazz Legacies Fellowship Honors Concert 2026
• Eddie Palmieri Experience: A Musical Retrospective Tomeka Reid Septet: In Tribute to Ellington
• Veronica Swift
• Samir LanGus
• Kate Kortum
• Hometown Heroes: Leroy Jones Quartet with Herlin Riley, Tyler Bullock, and Tivon Pennicott and Friends
• Theme for Akiko: Organ Jam Celebrating Akiko Tsuruga
• Camila Cortina Trio
• William Hill III Trio
• Rajna Swaminathan Duo
• Andre White Trio
• Veronica Leahy & Emmanuel Michael

Northwest Jazz Festival, Lewiston (Held in August)

Earlier known as The Lewiston Jazz Festival, the event is NYC’s premier two-day music festival. The summer event typically gets more than 30,000 visitors on both days. Guests enjoy free live performances, wine tastings, and more. Held in Lewiston, the event brings 150 musicians to the stage. The performances are non-stop. This, combined with various culinary delights and Niagara region wineries, makes it a must-visit jazz festival. 

Key highlights about the Northwest Jazz Festival, Lewison

• Set to take place on August 28, 2026, and August 29, 2026. 
• On the first day, the event will start from 5 p.m. and end at 10:30 pm. The next day, it will begin from 12 p.m. and end at 10:30 p.m.
• The festival has free entry, allowing everyone to enjoy high-quality jazz.
• Performances will feature well-known international stars as well as regional artists. 

 Charlie Parker Jazz Festival (Held in Late July/August)

The well-known saxophone player and composer Charlie Parker left us in March 1955. He left behind a rich musical legacy. The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival preserves this legacy. The event is held every year in New York City and has been going on over two decades. It hosts well-known jazz stars alongside the future generation of young artists. The rising younger stars play Parker’s music in its special characteristics. The visit to the festival is completely free.

Key things to know about the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival

• The event will be held on Saturday, Aug. 26, and Sunday, Aug. 27. 
• Saturday’s event will take place in Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem. Sunday’s live acts will be at Tompkins Square Park in the East Village. 
• The event at both places will begin at 3:00.

Big Apple Jazz Tours: Year-Round Jazz Exploration

For those seeking to experience New York jazz beyond festival stages, Big Apple Jazz offers curated tours that dive deep into the city’s musical roots. Their small-group and private tours combine live music, historic insights, and off-the-beaten-path exploration.

Tour Highlights

• Harlem Juke Joint Tour: Explore legendary venues like the Cotton Club and Apollo Theater, with opportunities to join jams if you play or sing.
  
  
• Greenwich Village Jazz Crawl: Discover hidden clubs and historic jazz sites linked to iconic performers.
  
  
• Legends of Jazz Tour: Premium experience featuring top-tier musicians across classic and modern venues.
  

Private & Custom Experiences

Visitors can customize tours for families, student groups, corporate events, or music enthusiasts. Big Apple Jazz tailors the route, venue choices, and focus areas to match interests and schedules. Guests receive a truly authentic jazz experience, combining storytelling, sightseeing, and live performances.

Connecting New York and New Orleans Jazz Festivals

While New York festivals emphasize urban jazz history, elements from the New Orleans jazz festival often appear. Brass bands, parade-inspired performances, and Creole rhythms bring a southern flair to select events. This cross-pollination allows attendees to appreciate jazz’s regional diversity and cultural evolution.

Tips for Attending Festivals

• Plan Ahead: Many shows sell out quickly, especially at intimate venues.
  
  
• Explore Neighborhoods: Walking between clubs in Harlem or Greenwich Village adds context to performances.
  
  
• Combine Tours and Shows: Pairing festival events with guided tours enriches understanding of jazz history.
  
  
• Dress Comfortably: Festivals may involve outdoor stages or extended walking between locations.
  

Suggested Itineraries

Weekend Jazz Immersion

• Day 1: Harlem Juke Joint Tour followed by evening at a historic jazz club
  
  
• Day 2: Greenwich Village crawl and outdoor summer festival
  
  
• Day 3: Big Apple Jazz private tour to hidden venues or a jazz museum visit
  

One-Night Festival Experience

• Attend a headline festival show
  
  
• Take a late-night guided tour of nearby jazz clubs
  
  
• Enjoy interaction with live performers and storytelling
  

Why New York Jazz Festivals Are Unique

The New York jazz festival experience blends music, culture, and history. Unlike other cities, New York neighborhoods actively shape performances. Each venue contributes to the city’s musical identity, making every show feel personal and immersive.

• Small clubs preserve the intimacy of classic jazz experiences
  
  
• Street performances and open-air stages invite casual and first-time listeners
  
  
• Guided tours provide historical context that enhances every performance
  

Who Should Attend

• Jazz enthusiasts looking for depth and variety
  
  
• Casual listeners seeking memorable cultural experiences
  
  
• Travelers, students, families, and corporate groups seeking interactive music experiences
  

No expertise is required; curiosity and openness ensure a fulfilling experience. Pairing festival attendance with guided tours offers the fullest appreciation.

Summing Up

The New York jazz festival calendar presents a year-round celebration of music, history, and community. The events offer varied lineups of stars in an uplifting atmosphere. Those occurring in areas like Harlem are especially popular because of their lively atmosphere. 

Integrating festival shows with Big Apple Jazz’s curated tours allows visitors to explore hidden clubs, legendary sites, and the neighborhoods that shaped jazz. This combination transforms a simple concert visit into a rich, multi-layered cultural journey.