Festival Roundup September 2026

HOT JAZZ JUBILEE (Sacramento, CA) Sept. 4-7

Prepare to enjoy four days of exciting live music performance all under one roof!  Tickets are now on sale for the 11th Annual Hot Jazz Jubilee. The DoubleTree by Hilton Sacramento is the home of the Jubilee, providing outstanding music venues including three large dance floors. Performances by Crescent Katz, San Lyon, Katie Cavera and the Lost Boys, Steve Lucky and the Rhumba Bums, Cheryl’s Vintage Jazz Band, and many more.

Book your room early for Labor Day weekend, as this event will sell out. Hot Jazz Jubilee is FUN for everyone, regardless of age (children under 18 are always admitted free), so come on out, listen, dance, and enjoy!

Check hotjazzjubilee.com for details, tickets, and updates on 2026’s event.

CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA RAGTIME AND AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL (Orbisonia/Rockhill Furnace/Huntingdon, PA) Sept. 10-13

Since 2009, the twin boroughs of Rockhill Furnace and Orbisonia, Pennsylvania have been filled with the strains of America’s first popular music: Ragtime, brought to life by some of America’s leading ragtime and early jazz artists. Enjoy America’s Original Music in one of its most historic towns!

Join us September 10-13 2026 for the 16th Annual Central Pennsylvania Ragtime & American Music Festival. Four fun-filled days of music, silent movies, lectures, open houses, and more. Hear Ragtime favorites, Jazz, Boogie-Woogie, Stride, Blues, and hits from the Great American Songbook, all performed by Grammy Award winning musicians. Plus, enjoy rides on the town’s two signature attractions, the historic East Broad Top Railroad, and the neighboring Rockhill Trolley Museum!

Our festival is by far the most intimate of the ragtime gatherings – where else in America can you enjoy our nation’s musical heritage in such a historic setting? Past performers include Adam Swanson, Frederick Hodges, Andy Schumm, Martin Spitznagel, Bryan & Yuko Wright, Brian Holland, Danny Coots, Domingo Mancuello, Joey Antico, Bill Edwards, Andrew Greene and the Peacherine Ragtime Orchestra, Ed Clute, Daniel Souvigny, Richard Dowling, Dan Levinson, Terry Waldo, T.J. Muller, Brian Nalepka, Charlie Judkins, Lauren Sansaricq, Andy Stein, and Joyce Richardson. Come join us for some great music!

Learn more about the festival by and find links to tickets by visiting www.rockhillragtime.com  You can also call the East Broad Top Railroad directly at (814) 447-3285 to purchase tickets over the phone.

THE GREAT NORTHEAST JUG BAND FESTIVAL (Arlington, MA) Sept. 25-26

Save the date for New England’s ONLY Jug Band Festival, now in it’s sixth year. We’ll showcase early blues, jazz, and string band traditions from the 1920s and ’30s, and the modern evolution of this good-time music. Jazzmo and the Jug Nuts kick off the weekend with a Friday night jam. This year’s Saturday lineup features three fabulous women-lead bands: the very vaudevillian Zoë Lewis and The Educated Fleas; direct from Brooklyn, The Dirty Mother String Band; and local favorite Annie and the Jug Tappers. The festival is free!

For details about the festival, visit: acarts.org/jug-band-festival.

THE NEW ORLEANS RAGTIME FESTIVAL (New Orleans, LA) Oct. 1-4

Since 2016, the New Orleans Ragtime Festival has been dedicated to preserving and promoting the vibrant legacy of ragtime music, vintage dance, and early American culture through world-class performances, educational programming, and community celebration. This milestone year marks a decade of bringing syncopated rhythms and timeless traditions to audiences from around the world.

The four-day festival will feature an exciting lineup of internationally recognized ragtime pianists, ensembles, dancers, and performances, continuing the festival’s tradition of blending history, music, dance, and New Orleans culture into one unforgettable weekend. Performers for the 10th anniversary festival include the New Leviathan Oriental Foxtrot Orchestra, Lars Edegran’s New Orleans Ragtime Orchestra, and Matt Lemmler’s Ragtime Ensemble, to name a few.

Early bird discount passes are available now.

For more information, visit theneworleansragtimefestival.com or follow @nolaragfest on Instagram and Facebook.

REDWOOD COAST MUSIC FESTIVAL (Eureka, CA) Oct. 1-4

The Redwood Coast Music Festival is Eureka’s celebration of American roots music.  Jazz, Swing, Blues, Zydeco, Rockabilly, Americana, Western Swing, Country – we’ve got it all. You’ll find iconic venues, top-notch music, multiple dance floors PLUS special sets and band combinations you won’t see or hear anywhere else! Situated along the spectacular Northern California coastline, the City of Eureka is one of California’s best kept secrets, bordered on one side by beautiful Humboldt Bay and on the other by mountains lush with giant Redwoods.

Performers include The Hot Club of Cowtown, Dave Stuckey & The Hot House Gang, Jonathan Stout’s Campus Five Featuring Hilary Alexander, Tom Rigney & Flambeau, Katie Cavera & The Lost Boys, Naomi Uyama & Her Handsome Devils, On The Levee Jazz Band, The Hot Baked Goods, Miss Jubilee, Clint Baker’s Jazz Band, Dan Barrett, Steve Lucky & the Rhumba Bums, The Black Market Trust, Dave Stuckey & The Hoot Owls, Holland Coots Jazz Band, Benny Amon’s New Orleans Pearls, Colin Hancock’s Texas Stompers, The Lovestruck Balladeers, Jonathan Doyle Swingtet, NOIR, Sam Rocha, San Lyon, Charlie Halloran & The Tropicales, Kris Tokarski’s Chicagoans, Mikiya Matsuda’s Alcatraz Islanders, Alice Spencer, Josh Collazo’s Jazzboree, Marc Caparone’s Allstars, Groovus, New Orleans Night Owls, TJ Muller’s Jazz-O-Maniacs, Hal Smith’s Swing Central, Andy Schumm, Riley Baker, Dave Kosmyna Incendiary Seven, Dennis Lichtman, Dalton Ridenhour, Mike Davis, Nick Rossi Swing Six, Laura Windley, Danny Tobias, Matt Weiner, The Redwood Dixie-Gators – and more!

Tickets and details, including special hotel packages, at rcmfest.org.

AMELIA ISLAND JAZZ FESTIVAL (Amelia Island, FL) Oct. 4-11

Celebrate 23 years of world-class jazz on Amelia Island with 8 Days of Jazz!

The Amelia Island Jazz Festival provides a rich, diverse cultural offering to the Amelia Island area by exposing thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds to the sounds, excitement and vitality of great jazz. The Festival presents world-class jazz in many styles, including swing, bebop, Dixieland, big band, Latin, and contemporary. During the annual week-long festival, held every October since 2003, music is performed by jazz greats as well as fresh, up-and-coming young talent. Performances are staged in several venues around Amelia Island including the Courtyard | Springhill Suites Amelia Island by Marriott, Sadler Ranch, The Decantery, Mocama Beer Company and the Amelia Rec Center. The goal of the Amelia Island Jazz Festival is to help preserve the American art form Jazz by increasing the exposure and awareness of the music genre to the general public.

Of interest to TST readers are a “Jump, Jive and Wail” Swing Night on October 7, “Down Home Blues and Gumbo Show” on October 8; a headliner performance by Gunhild Carling on October 10, followed by a late night jam; and “Dixie to Swing Jazz Brunch” on October 11 – and more!

Visit ameliaislandjazzfestival.com for tickets and details.

KENTUCKY HERITAGE JAZZ FESTIVAL (Harrodsburg, KY) Oct. 2-4

The Kentucky Heritage Jazz Festival starts with a Friday night “Taste of New Orleans” Mardi Gras kickoff on Main Street, followed by two full days of classic jazz and swing performances, artisan stands, food, and fun. Check kyheritagejazzfest.org for more information about performers and schedule as it becomes available.

SUN VALLEY JAZZ & MUSIC FESTIVAL (Sun Valley, ID) Oct. 15-18

The Sun Valley Jazz and Music Festival unites an incredible lineup of artists who fill the mountains with unforgettable music. From world-class bands to rising stars, each performer shares not just their music–but their passion, energy, and love for counting with an audience. Every note you hear is part of the magic that makes this festival unforgettable. Swing, blues, gospel, big band, boogie, and beyond–you’ll find it all here, performed by musicians who make Sun Valley their stage.

Bands include Terry Myers Big Band; Tom Hook; Tom Rigney and Flambeau; Dave Bennett Six; San Lyon with Katie Cavera; Noir; Terry Myers’ Hot Jazz Collective; The Racketmakers featuring Sherri Colby, Jason Wanner, Matty Bottel Danny Coots, TJ Muller & Riley Baker; and more!

Tickets and more information at sunvalleyjazz.com.

ROSWELL JAZZ FESTIVAL (Roswell, NM) Oct. 21-25

Every year since 2006, something more magical happens for five October days in southeastern New Mexico.  A kaleidoscope of live music floats on crisp air, mingling with the brilliant gold and red leaves of fall. Free and ticketed venues feature a vibrant mix of world class musicians  beginning Wednesday, October 21nd through Sunday, October 25th. Tickets for the 2026 Roswell Jazz Festival will be available for purchase on our website this summer and they will sell out fast. You can get an idea of official schedule of free and ticketed venues, by viewing what we did in 2025  on the ’Official Schedule’ tab now. Check back for the 2026 updated schedule this summer and join us for some music magic in 2026! roswelljazz.org

MIKE DURHAM’S INTERNATIONAL CLASSIC JAZZ PARTY (Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK) Nov. 6-8

Here is the globe’s foremost gathering of classic jazz musicians and fans in a three-day concert series featuring live music of a rarely heard quality and authenticity, performed by a truly international roster of world-class performers. The International Classic Jazz Party is a unique event like none other in the Jazz festival calendar. The Party was founded in 1990 by Mike Durham in Whitley Bay, near Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, UK, and has grown bigger and better with each successive year. Fom midday on Friday until late on Sunday evening, the Party takes the form of a series of special themed concerts chosen and curated by the musicians themselves and drawn from the canon of the first 40 years of jazz. At the end of each day, musicians and audience relax and enjoy themselves at the legendary after-hours jam sessions in the hotel’s bar, often going on into the wee small hours. The concerts take place in 4-star luxury, with audience members being assigned to cabaret seating of eight to a table. A twice-daily rotation system is in place to ensure that everybody gets a good view.

This year’s stellar line up includes Enrico Tomasso (UK), Lewis Taylor (UK), Colin Hancock (USA), Mike Davis (USA), Andy Schumm (USA), Malo Mazurié (France) on trumpet; Lorenzo Baldasso (Italy), Michael McQuaid (UK), David Lukács (Netherlands), Natalie Scharf (USA) David Horniblow (UK), Richard Exall (UK), Laurin Habert (Germany) on reeds; T.J. Müller (USA), Alistair Allan (UK), Graham Hughes (UK) on trombone; Andrew Oliver (USA), Morten Gunnar Larsen (Norway), Mathieu Meyer (France) on piano; Thomas “Spats” Langham (UK), Martin Wheatley (UK), Félix Hunot (France), Curtis Volp (UK) on guitar & banjo; Phil Rutherford (UK), Malte Tönißen (Germany), Harry Evans (UK) on brass bass & string bass; Nicholas D. Ball (UK), Josh Duffee (USA), Nick Ward (UK) on drums & percussion; Emma Fisk (UK) on violin; and Thomas “Spats” Langham (UK) and Nicolle Rochelle (France) on vocals.

Details at whitleybayjazzfest.com.

SUNCOAST JAZZ FESTIVAL (Clearwater Beach, FL) Nov. 20-22

Join us at the beautiful Gulf beaches in Sand Key, Clearwater Beach, Florida, for the 36th Annual Suncoast Jazz Festival, November 20-22, 2026. Held indoors at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort, the Suncoast Jazz Festival has three venues with continuous music rotating all day and all night through the weekend. With a variety of jazz genres, and listening lounge, dancing, and “sip and mingle experiences” offerings, the Suncoast Jazz Festival truly has something for everyone.

The festival’s long list of performers include Dave Bennett Quartet, Diego Figueiredo, Professor Cunningham and His Old School, Jason Marsalis, Tom Rigney & Flambeau, Champian Fulton, Jonathan Russell, Chuck Redd, Dan Levinson’s Palomar Jazz Band with Molly Ryan, Jen Hodge ,Cláudio Infante, Eddie Metz, Theo Valentin, James Suggs, Nate Najar, Daniela Soledade, Hot Tonic, Bakey & Betty, James Wall • Heather Thorn, La Lucha, Simon Lasky, Allison Nash, Mark Moultrup, Steve Boisen , Al Downing Trio, Naples Jazz Society Jazz Band, Paul Wilborn & Eugenie Bondurant• and many many more… 

Check suncoastjazzfestival.com for more information.

40th Annual WEST COAST RAGTIME FESTIVAL (Concord, CA) Nov. 20-22

The West Coast Ragtime Society is pleased to put together a fantastic fortieth year festival with a fabulous performer lineup, special shows, seminars, and dancing! Make your room reservations at our new venue, The Hilton Concord, and purchase your badges early to take advantage of the discounted prices to start planning for another terrific ragtime festival. We are proud to say we produce one of the world’s premiere annual ragtime festivals in the ragtime capital of the world! There’s lots of great music performed by the finest musicians from inside and outside the U.S.

The Hilton in Concord is next to Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Concord and The Veranda mall. They are within two miles of the Concord BART station. Enjoy our outdoor pool, fitness center, and Mount Diablo views from your guest room.

There will be multiple venues for performances at the hotel. Performances are almost nonstop throughout the three days of the festival. If you love to dance, there will be opportunities to participate in vintage dance instruction during the festival weekend. In addition, there are ragtime stores where you can purchase our performers’ music, as well as various goodies like vintage clothing, records and more.

Performing this year are Nick Arteaga, Au Brothers, Freebadge Sereneders, Clint Baker, Ramona Baker, Riley Baker, Jack Bradshaw, Isaiah Burton, Ryan Calloway, Michael Chisholm, Jared DiBartolomeo, Neville Dickie, Richard Dowling, Stave and Robyn Driven, The Easy Winners,, Marty Eggers, Eve Elliot, Lisa Gonick, Jeff Green, Kevin Gunia, Frederick Hodges, Brian Holland, Vincent Johnson, Charlie Judkins and Miss Maybell (Lauren Sansaricq), Key System Trio, Carl Sonny Leyland, William McNally, TJ Müller, Don Neely, Andrew Oliver, Pacific Coast Ragtime Orchestra, The Ragabonds, David Thomas Roberts, Nick Robinson, Zac Salem, Ray Skjelbred, Martin Spitznagel, Bub and Petra Sullivan, Squeek Steel, Jared Z. Szabo, Lilianne Tao, Virginia Tichenor, Matt Tolentino, John Reed-Torres, and Joan Walton.

Check westcoastragtime.com for details..

NORTH CAROLINA JAZZ FESTIVAL (Wilmington, NC) Feb. 4-6, 2027

Wilmington gives a warm welcome to all of the jazz lovers attending our 47th Annual North Carolina Jazz Festival!  This historic city located on the bank of the Cape Fear River has many interesting shops, art galleries, museums and restaurants, as well as a movie studio, nearby beaches, plus Revolutionary and Civil War sites to explore during your days here. We will fill your evenings with exciting performances by some of the greatest traditional jazz musicians from around the globe, leaving your days free to explore our beautiful area!

Our visiting all-stars on Friday and Saturday night will play in the traditional jazz style of six or seven players, each set with a different leader. You will hear many of our favorite Festival musicians plus new additions to our lineup, so you won’t want to miss this exciting 47th Annual North Carolina Jazz Festival! Concerts each night will be approximately 3-4 hours.

Scheduled musicians include Emily Asher, Herman Burney,, Adrian Cunningham, Reginald Cyntje, Brandi Disterheft, Kevin Dorn, Nate Najar, Ben Polcer, Chuck Redd, Robert Redd, Kenny Rittenhouse, Jonathan Russell, Rossano Sportiello, Anita Thomas, and Lucy Yeghiazaryan.

. For tickets and more information, visit ncjazzfestival.org.

For more information visit ncjazzfestival.org, e-mail ncjazzfest@yahoo.com, or call (910)-399-6596.

TEAGARDEN JAZZ FESTIVAL (Sacramento, CA) Feb. 6, 2027

The joy of early New Orleans-style jazz is at the heart of this scholastic combo festival, which is dedicated to fostering a better appreciation of this classic American art form. Each year, scores of young musicians gather at the annual Teagarden Jazz Festival for experiences that take their musical skills to the next level. The 2026 event featured 30 youth jazz bands from around northern California. Next year marks the 20th Anniversary of the festival, and we are pleased to announce that our Guest Clinician will be trumpeter/vocalist/songwriter Bria Skonberg.

More information can be found at teagardenjazzfestival.org.