The Detroit Jazz Festival, the world’s largest and, some would say, the best free jazz festival, is returning for the 47th year.
The 2026 Detroit Jazz Festival takes place September 4–7, 2026, over Labor Day weekend in downtown Detroit.
The Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation announced that for 2026, the Festival’s downtown footprint will be fully centered at Hart Plaza, where all three main stages are consolidated to create a more connected, immersive, and accessible environment.
“At its core, jazz is about connection, and bringing the festival fully into Hart Plaza helps us deepen that connection,” said Foundation President and Artistic Director Chris Collins. “Audiences can more easily move between performances, discover new artists, and experience the festival as one unified celebration of music.”
Additional performances will take place at the Detroit Jazz Hall located inside the Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center at Wayne State University, continuing its role as a key part of Festival programming.
As far as the lineup, Collins shared, “This year’s lineup reflects the incredible breadth and vitality of jazz today—from legends like Ron Carter and Bob James to visionary artists like Ravi Coltrane, Artemis, and Kurt Elling with Yellowjackets. We are proud to present a world-class festival that remains free and accessible to everyone, made possible through the unwavering support of our patrons, sponsors, and community partners.”
It is important to note that this year, no coolers are allowed inside Hart Plaza and the updated hours are:
Friday: 5:30 PM – 11:00 PM
Saturday & Sunday: 12:30 PM – 11:00 PM
Monday: 12:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Here’s the Lineup for your pleasure. Learn more about the festival at: detroitjazzfest.org
Friday, Sept. 4
Carhartt Amphitheater Stage
6:14 pm Dr. Valade’s Brass Band Featuring Shannon Powell
7:00 pm Miles Electric Band
9:15 pm 2026 Artist-In-Residence Joe Lovano’s Paramount Quartet, featuring Julian Lage, Asante Sante Debriano, Will Calhoun
Detroit Jazz Hall located inside the Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center at Wayne State University
10:45 pm Tia Fuller featuring Shamie Fuller-Royston – “Fuller Sound”
(Midtown After Hours Special)
Saturday, Sept. 5
Carhartt Amphitheater Stage
3:00 pm Jeffrey Trent
4:45 pm African Rhythms Alumni Quintet “Celebrating the Centennial of Dr. Randy Weston” T.K. Blue – saxophone/flute/musical director; Chief Baba Neil Clarke
7:00 pm Ravi Coltrane Quartet: Centennial Celebration
9:15 pm Kurt Elling & Yellowjackets Celebrate Weather Report
Pyramid Stage
3:15 pm Borderland Ensemble
5:00 pm Skyler Tang
6:45 pm Jill Opal and The Bill Meyer Group
8:45 pm Bob James
Absopure Waterfront Stage
2:30 pm University of Michigan Jazz Ensemble directed by Professor Kris Johnson AND University of Michigan Jazz Trombone Ensemble directed by Professor Dennis Wilson
4:45 pm Vermilion Field (Takatsuki Jazz Street Representative Band)
7:00 pm Cyrille Aimée Quartet
9:00 pm Artemis
Detroit Jazz Hall located inside the Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center at Wayne State University
11:30 am Grosse Isle High School Jazz Band, Midland High School Jazz Band, University of Detroit Jazz Orchestra, Troy Athens High School Jazz Band, Northview High School Jazz Ensemble
10:45 pm Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio (Midtown After Hours Special)
Sunday, Sept. 6
Carhartt Amphitheater Stage
1:15 pm Downbeat Blindfold Test
3:00 pm The Search: Echoes of the Fallen, tribute to Karim Gideon
4:45 pm Gabrielle Cassava
7:00 pm 2026 Artist-In-Residence Joe Lovano and Dave Douglas Quintet:
Sound Prints Featuring: Lawrence Fields, Yasushi Nakamura and Rudy Royston
9:15 pm Take 6
Pyramid Stage
1:15 pm J.C. Heard JazzWeek All Stars
3:15 pm Dave Sharp Worlds Quartet
4:45 pm Catherine Russell
6:45 pm Sequoia “REDWOOD” Snyder and INNER KNOWING
8:45 pm Dee Dee Bridgewater & Bill Charlap
Absopure Waterfront Stage
1:45 pm Wayne State University “Jazz Warriors” Big Band directed by Professor Vincent Chandler AND Wayne State University Advanced Vocal Jazz Quartet directed by Cayla Stus
3:30 pm Luca Ciarla solOrkestra
5:20 pm 2026 Legacy Artist: Jaribu Shahid Salute to the AACM
7:15 pm Instant Alter featuring Natasha Agrama Clarke and Emilio Modeste
9:10 pm Vijay Iyer Trio with special guest, Adam O’Farrill
Detroit Jazz Hall located inside the Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center at Wayne State University
11:30 am Taylor High School Jazz Band, Utica High School Jazz Band, Jackson Northwest High School Jazz Band, Northville High School Jazz Ensemble, Meridian High School Jazz Ensemble
10:45 pm Nduduzo Makhathini (Midtown After Hours Special)
Monday, Sept. 7
Carhartt Amphitheater Stage
2:00 pm Himiko Kikuchi Tottori Young Lions Trio
4:00 pm Cindy Blackman Santana
6:00 pm Coltrane 100 – 2026 Artist-In-Residence Joe Lovano, Melissa Aldana, Nduduzo Makathini, Linda May Han Oh, Jeff “Tain” Watts Both Directions at Once
Pyramid Stage
1:45 pm Teiku
3:30 pm Roberta Gambarini and the Detroit Jazz Festival Orchestra
5:15 pm Joey Alexander Trio
Absopure Waterfront Stage
1:00 pm Michigan State University Jazz Orchestra| ”The Bebop Spartans” directed by Professor Rodney Whitaker
3:00 pm The Django Festival Allstars with Special Guest Grace Kelly
5:00 pm Ron Carter & Foursight
Detroit Jazz Hall located inside the Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center at Wayne State University
11:30 am Detroit Public Schools Community District Jazz Showcase + Tottori Jazz Mission International Jam
