The United States is a vibrant hub for jazz, hosting some of the world’s most iconic festivals that draw music lovers from across the globe. From the soulful streets of New Orleans to the historic stages of Newport, these festivals showcase legendary artists, emerging talents, and the rich cultural heritage of jazz. Whether you’re seeking free urban events or multi-day coastal celebrations, our curated list of the top 10 jazz festivals in the USA for 2025 offers unforgettable experiences blending tradition, innovation, and community. Explore their histories, venues, and unique vibes to plan your next musical adventure.
1) New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, commonly known as Jazz Fest, was founded in 1970 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating the city’s rich musical and cultural legacy, sprouting from New Orleans’ deep-rooted jazz traditions. Jazz impresario George Wein, creator of the Newport Jazz Festival, was hired to design and produce this unique event, which debuted with iconic performers like Mahalia Jackson and Duke Ellington. Initially held in Congo Square, it moved to the Fair Grounds Race Course in 1972, expanding to incorporate heritage crafts, local cuisine, and a diverse array of music beyond pure jazz. Over the decades, it has evolved into a massive multi-day spectacle, drawing over 500,000 attendees annually and blending genres while honoring Louisiana’s cultural heritage.
Address: Fair Grounds Race Course, 1751 Gentilly Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70119
Website: https://www.nojazzfest.com
2) Newport Jazz Festival
The Newport Jazz Festival, one of the oldest and most influential jazz events in the world, was established in 1954 by socialites Elaine and Louis Lorillard, who financed it for many years and hired George Wein to organize the inaugural edition. Held initially at the Newport Casino on July 17-18, 1954, as the First Annual American Jazz Festival, it marked a pivotal moment in jazz’s popularization, featuring legends and drawing large crowds to Rhode Island. Founded by Boston native George Wein, a pianist and festival pioneer, it has since moved to Fort Adams State Park and continues to showcase both established and innovative artists with scenic ocean views. Over its history, the festival has traced the evolution of jazz from the 1950s to today, influencing the global festival era and remaining a cornerstone of the genre.
Address: Fort Adams State Park, 90 Fort Adams Dr, Newport, RI 02840
Website: https://www.newportjazz.org
3) Chicago Jazz Festival
The Chicago Jazz Festival, an admission-free annual event in Millennium Park, originated in 1974 as a tribute to the late Duke Ellington, organized by local jazz enthusiasts in Grant Park to honor his memory through performances. It evolved into the official Chicago Jazz Festival in 1979, run by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events in collaboration with the Jazz Institute of Chicago, featuring themed nights like Ellington and Coltrane programs. Over four days, it showcases established and emerging artists, emphasizing Chicago’s blues-jazz heritage with diverse programming across multiple stages. From its ad hoc beginnings in the 1970s, it has grown into a major free festival, preserving lineups, posters, and photos dating back to 1979 in its archives.
Address: Millennium Park, 201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60602
Website: https://www.chicagojazzfestival.us
4) Detroit International Jazz Festival
The Detroit International Jazz Festival, the largest free jazz festival in North America, was founded in 1980 by Robert McCabe and the Detroit Renaissance group to attract visitors and revitalize the city through music. Sponsored by Ford Motor Company from 2000 to 2004 as the Ford Detroit International Jazz Festival, it features over 100 performances across urban venues during Labor Day weekend. Managed by the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation, it celebrates Detroit’s rich jazz history with year-round concerts and educational programs. Over 40 years, it has become a beloved annual event, blending global jazz talents and drawing crowds to the Motor City.
Address: Hart Plaza, 1 Hart Plaza, Detroit, MI 48226 (main venue)
Website: https://www.detroitjazzfest.org
5) Monterey Jazz Festival
The Monterey Jazz Festival, the longest continuously running jazz festival globally, debuted on October 3, 1958, co-founded by jazz critic Ralph J. Gleason and disc jockey Jimmy Lyons, with support from pianist Dave Brubeck. Held at the Monterey County Fairgrounds, it has hosted nearly 2,900 performances over its 68-year history, focusing on groundbreaking lineups and youth education initiatives. Originating from Lyons and Gleason’s mid-1950s idea for a Central California jazz event, it quickly became an institution, accumulating important recordings and featuring jazz elites. The festival has evolved while maintaining its prestige, blending tradition with innovation in a scenic setting.
Address: Monterey County Fairgrounds, 2004 Fairground Rd, Monterey, CA 93940
Website: https://www.montereyjazzfestival.org
6) Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival
The Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival, a four-day celebration honoring the city’s jazz legends like Mary Lou Williams and George Benson, succeeds the long-running Mellon Jazz Festival and is co-presented by the August Wilson African American Cultural Center. Founded by artistic director Janis Burley, it emphasizes education, community, and international acts alongside workshops and street food in urban venues. Highlighting Pittsburgh’s rich jazz history, including overlooked figures like Leon Hefflin Sr., it features world-renowned and local musicians to promote artistic freedom. Over its 15 years, it has grown into a vibrant event that blends performance with cultural homage in the Steel City.
Address: August Wilson African American Cultural Center, 980 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 (primary venue)
Website: https://www.pittsburghjazzfest.org
7) San Jose Jazz Summer Fest
The San Jose Jazz Summer Fest, formerly the San Jose Jazz Festival, launched in 1990 as a one-day, single-stage event at Plaza de César Chavez, with its first day focused on fusion and the second on traditional jazz. Produced by the nonprofit San Jose Jazz since 1986, it began charging admission in 2006 and has expanded to over 10 stages featuring eclectic mixes of jazz, blues, Latin, and R&B. Evolving from a modest program with eight performances, it now offers family-friendly experiences with global flavors and free entry to many sets. Over 34 years, it has become a major summer highlight, feeding music-hungry audiences in Silicon Valley.
Address: Plaza de César Chavez, 1 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose, CA 95113
Website: https://www.sanjosejazz.org
8) Clearwater Jazz Holiday
The Clearwater Jazz Holiday, a four-day beachside music festival, began in 1979 as a series of concerts evolving from a modest setup with a decorated flatbed truck as the stage. Over its 45-year history, it has hosted legendary talents like Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, and Dizzy Gillespie, attracting around 35,000 attendees annually to its sunny Gulf Coast location. The event includes an outreach program sharing jazz history through live performances and educational initiatives like the Stop-Time Series. From its inaugural edition in 1980 featuring Woody Herman to today, it has grown into a relaxed celebration blending jazz with a laid-back vibe.
Address: Coachman Park, 301 Drew St, Clearwater, FL 33755
Website: https://www.clearwaterjazz.com
9) Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival
The Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, hosted by the University of Idaho, started in 1967 as a small event with a dozen student groups and one guest artist, expanding significantly under director Lynn “Doc” Skinner from 1972 onward. Renamed in honor of vibraphonist Lionel Hampton, it features over 400 student performances, workshops, and professional artists, earning the National Medal of Arts in 2007. The “Jazz in the Schools” program began in 1995, emphasizing education alongside concerts. Over its history, it has preserved posters, programs, photos, and oral histories, growing into a major educational and performance platform.
Address: University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter Dr, Moscow, ID 83844
Website: https://www.uidaho.edu/jazzfest
10) John Coltrane International Jazz & Blues Festival
The John Coltrane International Jazz & Blues Festival, held in High Point, North Carolina, was established about 15 years ago to pay tribute to saxophonist John Coltrane in his hometown, blending jazz innovation with blues heritage. Named after the legendary musician, it features top names in jazz and blues, celebrating Coltrane’s groundbreaking influence through Grammy-winning performers in a free two-day event. Over the years, it has succeeded in honoring blues alongside jazz, drawing crowds to Oak Hollow Festival Park. As a celebration of musical heritage, it continues to innovate while commemorating Coltrane’s life and legacy.
Address: Oak Hollow Festival Park, 1841 Eastchester Dr, High Point, NC 27265
Website: https://www.coltranejazzfest.com