Everything You Need to Know About the Jacksonville Jazz Festival

One of the hottest events of the year for music lovers is coming up this Memorial Day weekend: the Jacksonville Jazz Festival. The festival has taken place in downtown Jacksonville for over 40 years, but you may not have heard about it or explored all it has to offer just yet.

If you want to attend this year but aren’t sure what to expect, then read this handy little guide we created to help you figure it all out. We’ll tell you where to find the best dining and lodging options by the riverfront and make sure you see the best artists.

Meet the Artists

The main draw for any music festival is the talented, award-winning artists who come to perform. The festival has two main stages: the Swingin’ Stage and the Groovin’ Stage, and both stages have artists performing at the same time. Some of the most anticipated artists include Charlie Wilson, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Ulysses Owens Jr. and Generation Y, Larry Carlton, and Samara Joy.

Even if you haven’t heard of these artists before, rest assured they’re some of the most talented jazz singers and musicians from across the country. After you see them play live, you won’t be able to get the beautiful sounds and catchy melodies out of your head.

You can find the festival stages and Florida Theatre at the following Jacksonville locations:

• Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition: Presented by Keyboard Connection at the Florida Theatre: 128 E. Forsyth St., Suite 300, Jacksonville, Florida, 32202.
• Swingin’ Stage: Riverfront Plaza: 2011 Independent Drive, Jacksonville, Florida, 32202.
• Groovin’ Stage: At Ford on Bay: 288 E. Bay St., Jacksonville, Florida, 32202.

Jacksonville Jazz Festival: The Basics

Before we dive into the dining options, lodging options, and other logistics, you’re probably wondering how you can attend the event. The official festival takes place from Friday, May 26, to Sunday, May 28, from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Sunday. 

On the Thursday night before the festival starts, you can also attend the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition at the Florida Theatre, which is presented by Keyboard Connection – The Piano Place from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. At the competition, you can cheer on and listen to five finalists, all of them talented jazz musicians, try to outdo each other on the keys.

Tickets and Premium Experiences

Best of all, if you want to head to the festival, you don’t have to worry about tickets, as the festival is free to attend. However, if you prioritize ease, comfort, and access as you make your way around the festival, you can purchase the VIP or Preferred Experience, meaning you won’t have to lug around a folding chair or sit on the grass. 

Purchase single-day preferred seating for $89 and get access to designated padded seats, an exclusive bar where you can skip the long lines, and private bathrooms (with air conditioning — a must in May in Jacksonville). For an even more exclusive ticket, you can purchase the VIP Full Festival Experience for $499  or the VIP Single-Day Festival Experience for $199. The former comes with $150 in credit for food and drinks, while the latter comes with $30 in credit.

The VIP tickets give you access to an even more exclusive bar, comfortable seats for each concert right near the stage, a variety of à la carte dining options, reserved parking, and guaranteed access to the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition, which tends to fill up fast.

Where Can You Stay To See the Jacksonville Jazz Festival?

If you’re coming from out of town or have family and friends coming from out of town for the festival, you’ll find plenty of great hotel options to put you close to the heart of the action. The recommended hotels include the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, Marriott Jacksonville Downtown, and Southbank Hotel on the Jacksonville Riverwalk. 

All of these hotels offer great amenities, comfortable rooms, wonderful dining options, and easy access to the Jacksonville Jazz Festival. The Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront is arguably the most upscale of the lodging options, offering luxury suites, five-star dining options, a rooftop pool, and a 24-hour gym, which also makes it more on the pricier side.

The Marriott Jacksonville Downtown is also a great option, and both chain hotels offer views of the river and the downtown area. If you want a more boutique experience, head on over to the Southbank Hotel. Though the Hyatt and Marriott are closest to the stages, just a few minutes away by foot, the Southbank Hotel is only a 15-20-minute walk away.

Where To Eat at the Jacksonville Jazz Festival

Besides the great gourmet dining options available at the nearby hotels, food trucks from all over the area make their way to the Jacksonville Jazz Festival to set up shop for the weekend and offer the music lovers in attendance a delicious variety of cuisines. The specific trucks at the festival vary from year to year, so you’ll have to check out the options yourself when you get there. Premium tickets come with food and beverage credits preloaded into your wristband that you can apply to any of the vendors on the property. 

For a quick meal outside of the main venues, head to D&G Deli and Grill  for a tasty lunch at the counter or The Bread & Board  for charcuterie, gourmet sandwiches, beer, and wine. If you’re looking for something to eat after the jazz festival is over, you can enjoy an indulgent meal at Cowford Chophouse, an upscale local steakhouse. Since the Cowford Chophouse closes at 10 p.m., if you get out of the festival late or want something more laid back, you can go to Spliffs Gastropub or Wildkat Records Bar & Grill. Get your family and friends together and enjoy some beautifully moving classic jazz under the Florida sun this Memorial Day weekend. If you have any other tips for the Jacksonville Jazz Festival that we missed, contact us at Keith Pierson Toyota and let us know. 

Tags: activities, festivals, food, jacksonville jazz festival, music
Posted in Local | No Comments »