Jacksonville Jazz Festival finds another new home for 2025. Here's your guide.

The festival has consistently provided great musicians performing for big crowds, but that's about the only thing that's been consistent over the festival's long history, which has seen years when it was free and years when it was ticketed, years when it had three stages spread around downtown and years when it wasn't held at all.

Trombone Shorty plays the Jacksonville Jazz Festival on Saturday, May 24.

This year again has a strong lineup of performers, but it's moving again and putting all of the music on the same stage.

What are the dates of the Jacksonville Jazz Festival?

The Jacksonville Jazz Festival runs Friday, May 23, through Sunday, May 25. Music begins at 4:30 p.m. Friday, 3:45 p.m. Saturday, and 3:15 p.m. Sunday. Music is scheduled to finish before 11 p.m. each night.

Where is the Jacksonville Jazz Festival?

This year's festival will be held at Tailgaters Parking, a lot across the street from EverBank Stadium. The address is 225 Talleyrand Ave.

It's the first year for the festival in that location. Past festivals have been held at Metropolitan Park, Daily's Place, James Weldon Johnson Park, the downtown courthouse, the old Jacksonville Landing, the Ford on Bay site and at Mayport.

Jacksonville Jazz Festival 2025 lineup: Here's who will perform

This year's festival will all be played on one stage, the Hart Bridge Stage. Here's the schedule:

• 4:30 p.m. Friday: Let's Ride Brass Band, featuring Bella Kosal
• 6 p.m. Friday: Spyro Gyra
• 7:45 p.m. Friday: Maysa
• 9:30 p.m. Friday: Kool & the Gang
• 3:45 p.m. Saturday: Douglas Anderson School of the Arts Jazz Combo
• 4:45 p.m. Saturday: Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition winner
• 5:45 p.m. Saturday: Tank and the Bangas
• 7:30 p.m. Saturday: Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
• 9:15 p.m. Saturday: Janelle Monae
• 3:15 p.m. Sunday: UNF Jazz Ensemble I
• 4:15 p.m. Sunday: Connie Han
• 5:45 p.m. Sunday: Branford Marsalis Quartet
• 7:15 p.m. Sunday: Boney James
• 9 p.m. Sunday: The Roots

That schedule is tentative. The festival website states right up top that "All performers listed are subject to change or cancellation."

Is the Jacksonville Jazz Festival free?

The VIP Experience tickets are $249 for each day of the festival or $549 for the whole fest. That gets you up-front seating, dedicated bars, access to a VIP lounge, climate-controlled restrooms and reserved parking.

The Preferred Seating Experience tickets are $129 per day. That includes seats and access to dedicated bars and restrooms.

What is the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition?

The festival opens at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 22, with the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition, which pits five up-and-coming pianists against one another for a spot on the main festival stage. It's free to attend.

Can I bring my own chair to the Jacksonville Jazz Festival?

Yes, but just one. Bag checks and metal detectors will be in place at the festival entrance. Attendees can bring one factory-sealed water bottle and one collapsible chair. Other permissible items include baby formula, wheelchairs, medical scooters, strollers, personal umbrellas and blankets or tarps no larger than 6 feet by 8 feet.

Prohibited items include hard-side coolers, outside alcohol, tents, beach umbrellas, wagons, pets, grills, picnic or catered meals, professional video equipment, weapons, signs, drones, skateboards and laser pointers. You are also prohibited from using rope or tape to reserve space.

Can children attend the Jacksonville Jazz Festival?

Of course they can. The only restriction is if you want to sit in the VIP or Preferred Seating areas, the kids will need their own ticket.

What if it rains at the Jacksonville Jazz Festival?

It's a rain-or-shine event, so if it rains and you're not standing on the covered stage, you'll probably get wet. There are no refunds for VIP or Preferred Seating packages if it rains or if one of the performers cancels.

Will there be a Late Night Jazz Jam at this year's Jacksonville Jazz Festival?

The Late Night Jazz Jam, started in 2013, is expanding this year. Friday, Saturday and Sunday night of festival weekend, bands will play from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. at venues in the downtown area, none of which are very far from the festival site.

On Friday, Eric Carter plays at Da Real Ting at 8 p.m., the Amelia Crescendo Big Band and the Few Fellas Brass Band are at Intuition Ale Works at 8:30 p.m. Billy Gilmore & Friends play at Albatross (formerly Underbelly) at 9 p.m., and Pablo & Co. play at the Volstead. On Saturday, Mercy Mercy and Double Bubble play at the Circuit Arcade Bar, and a Jazz Jam will be held at Intuition Ale Works; no starting times have been listed for either show. Also on Saturday, Raisin Cake Orchestra takes the Volstead stage at 9 p.m. On Sunday, Groove Coalition and Shawn Pfaffman are at Albatross starting at 9 p.m., and John Parker Urban & Friends are at Circuit Arcade Bar at 10 p.m.

Admission to all of the Late Night Jazz Jam shows is free.

Can I buy a Jacksonville Jazz Festival poster?

This year's poster was designed by Canadian artist Stin Hrycajkiw, who now lives in Jacksonville. You can purchase one online for $30, $40 if you want it signed by the artist. You can also buy commemorative lanyards, lapel pins, magnets, tumblers and previous years' posters at cojspecialevents.company.site.