Memphis Jazz Festival 2026

Join us for the inaugural Memphis Jazz Festival, a three-day festival bringing together local talent, national artists, and music lovers
About this Event

The Downtown Memphis Commission is excited to announce the inaugural Memphis Jazz Festival, taking place October 9–11, 2026, in Downtown Memphis. The three-day festival will be free and open to the public, bringing together local talent, national artists, and music lovers for a celebration of jazz in the heart of our city.

Memphis is known around the world for its music. While blues, soul, rock ’n’ roll, and gospel are deeply woven into our identity, jazz is also an important part of the Memphis music story. The Memphis Jazz Festival will celebrate that legacy while creating a new platform for the musicians and creatives shaping its future.

Date: October 9-11, 2026

Location: Main Street

Cost: Free and open to all!

The festival lineup includes: Theo Croker, Dear Silas, Parkerhurt Quartet, Memphis Jazz Orchestra, Joe Restivo 4, Henry Conerway III, Deborah Swiney, Stephen M. Lee, The Power to the People Quartet, Pat Register, Hope Clayburn & The Memphis Manes, Gary Topper & Symmetry, Kenny Reed Quintet, and Alex Upton Trio.
The inaugural festival will feature three distinct Downtown experiences throughout the weekend.

• Jazz After Hours — Friday, October 9. The Memphis Jazz Festival will kick off Friday night with jazz experiences at The Westin Memphis Beale Street, hosted by Strictly Jazz entertainment. Guests can start their festival weekend with live music & cocktails. Time TBA
• Saturday, October 10, Memphis Jazz Festival Main Stage will bring the festival directly to the Main Street Mall between Peabody Place and Union Avenue, featuring jazz workshops and two stages of live entertainment from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Saturday Night, October 10th - Jazz Jam at The Dame Saturday night, the festival continues at The Dame at Hotel Pontotoc with an intimate jazz jam session sponsored by the Memphis Jazz Workshop and hosted by Henry Conerway. The session will bring musicians together for an organic, collaborative celebration of jazz, creating the kind of late-night musical exchange that has long been central to jazz culture. Time TBA
• Sunday, October 11, will close out the weekend with the Sunset Jazz season finale at Court Square Park, featuring performances from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Throughout the weekend, restaurants throughout Downtown Memphis will join the celebration with jazz brunches, live music, festival-inspired menus, and special offerings throughout the weekend.

While the Memphis Jazz Festival is free and open to the public, attendees are encouraged to RSVP to stay informed about festival announcements, artist lineups, schedules, locations, and everything you need to know to make the most of the festival experience.