It’s Festival Season, Y’all!

By Frank Alkyer I Apr. 16, 2025

Crowds chill at the John Coltrane Jazz & Blues Festival in North Carolina.
(Photo: Toni Shaw)

If great art is made in chaos, get ready for some killer festivals this year. In digging into the 2025 festival scene while crafting this guide, one thing is for certain. There are many festivals wondering what’s going to happen, and maybe worrying what the effects things like trade wars — the realm of politics, not art — will play on the summer music travel season. But festival directors DownBeat spoke with have put up a unified front: Control what you can control, and put on an amazing show.

With that, get ready for some great tours and performances at festivals large and small. As the 120-plus festivals listed in the following pages can attest, each has its own charm and sparkle.

We’re continuing to witness the next generation of jazz expansion, local scenes and artists being promoted in dramatic ways in places where jazz interest, education and tradition are growing. Just look at the four festivals featured in this year’s guide. The Denver Jazz Festival will shine a floodlight on the great tradition of musicians who either came from or currently live in the Denver area. The same is true with the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, which has a fantastic DIY scene. Down at the Amelia Island Jazz Festival, Les and Bonnie DeMerle have fashioned a festival that perfectly vibes with the island life. And up in Massachusetts, the Northampton Jazz Festival offers a quaint, hometown touch to go with great music.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE COMPLETE 2025 SUMMER FESTIVAL GUIDE!

So, soak it up. It’s festival season, y’all! Time to get up, get out and get down! DB