FAQ

 The Detroit Jazz Festival is free. 

The 2026 Detroit Jazz Festival will take place in Hart Plaza.  Additional programming at the Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center on the campus of Wayne State University in Midtown.

The festival kicks off with the Friday Night Opening Party September 4th – 7th, 2026.

Join in person or on the FREE livestream at live.detroitjazzfest.org

View the full 2026 line up & schedule here

View list of artist and links to their bio pages here

Parking options for Hart Plaza, Campus Martius, and Cadillac Square:

One Detroit Garage – 201 Larned Street, Detroit, MI 48226

Two Detroit Garage – 160 E Congress Street, Detroit, MI 48226

One Campus Martius Garage – 1140 Farmer Street, Detroit, MI 48226

Reserve your parking here >>

Other options:

Financial District Garage – 730 Shelby St. Detroit, MI 48226

Greektown Garage – 1001 Brush St. Detroit, MI 48226

Parking near the Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center on Wayne State University campus:

91 W. Forest between Woodward and Cass, adjacent to Studio One apartments and University Towers, also known as the Forest Structure.

https://parking.wayne.edu/info/lot-structure#structure8

Use FAST powered by SMART to get downtown! To purchase your fare, go to https://www.smartbus.org/ridesmart-fast

Downtown map for Fast powered by SMART bus:

https://www.smartbus.org/Portals/0/4-2-18%20FAST%20Downtown%20Map.jpg

Detroit People Mover and QLine are available to reduce walking. Or take a Bird, Lime, or Boaz scooter to Hart Plaza.

D2A2: https://d2a2.com

DAX: https://www.dax-bus.com

QLINE: https://www.qlinedetroit.com

Festival weekend, visit the Information and Accessibility booth located at the front festival entrance in Hart Plaza,or visit our website www.detroitjazzfest.org

Accessible restrooms are available throughout the festival footprint. We encourage guests with mobility disabilities to utilize personal forms of transportation, including wheelchairs and scooters. A limited number of wheelchairs will be available for rent with valid identification.  All festival performances are livestreamed and can be reached on your personal device.

www.detroitjazzfest.org/live/

Use the accessiBe widget on our website to personalize your online experience.

Visit the official Jazz Fest Merchandise booth near the main Hart Plaza entrance gates, behind the Info Booth, facing the Dodge Fountain. A second booth is located by the Waterfront Stage.

Official and original vintage posters can be ordered anytime at store.detroitjazzfest.org

A VIP Pass gives access to the VIP hospitality area and reserved seating. To learn about 2026 VIP Passes, click here

Online sales only. NO PASSES SOLD at the festival.

1. You may pick-up your VIP wristbands beginning on Thursday, September 3rd, from 2 – 6 pm by appointment only at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center, Motor Lobby. Please email memberships@detroitjazzfest.org to make your appointment or if you have any questions regarding VIP credential pick-up.
2. During the Festival, you may pick-up your VIP wristbands onsite at the VIP Entrance to the Festival.

• Pass Pick-up Hours:
  • Friday, Sept. 4: 7 – 9 p.m.*
  • Saturday, Sept. 5: 12:30  – 9 p.m.
  • Sunday, Sept. 6: 12:30  – 9 p.m.
  • Monday, Sept. 7: 12:30  – 5 p.m.

*Friday from 5 – 7 p.m., Opening Night Party wristbands will be the only passes distributed. Other passes may be picked up  between 7 – 9 p.m.

3. THERE ARE NO TICKET/PASSES SALES at the festival, only pickup of pre-ordered passes.
4. You will be required to present an identification that matches the name of the purchaser. We will not release credentials to third parties. The Detroit Jazz Festival is not responsible for and will not replace lost or stolen wristbands.

Get 2026 VIP passes here

Yes, follow the link below to purchase.

Get 2026 VIP passes here

Tax deductible amounts for each VIP ticket can be found on the ticketing page of www.detroitjazzfest.org. If you have further questions, please email memberships@detroitjazzfest.org

There are a variety of food vendors and options at the festival.

• Andiamo Food Truck
• Andiamo Pizza Pie – Pizza, Fries and Chicken Tenders
• Andiamo Bar Truck
• Cinnamon Nuts & More – Nuts and snacks
• Detroit Shrimp & Fish – Fried Shrimp & Fish
• Jackson 5 Star Ears – Elephant Ears and Lemonade
• Jackson 5 Star BBQ – BBQ, Chicken Tenders and Southern Fried Fish
• JJ Concession – Funnel Cake and Elephant Ears; Pitas, Fajitas, Sausage, and Fries
• Island Noodles – Hawaiian Noodles
• Little Bite Big Taste – Halal and Indian Cuisine, and Mediterranean
• Malloy’s BBQ – BBQ
• Nu Sol Buggy – Healthy Food Options
• Sepia Coffee – Coffee & Lattes
• Sonny’s Hamburger – Hamburgers
• Spicy Bangkok – Korean Corn Dog and Asian Street Food
• Sucree – Milkshakes, Ice Cream
• Terrace Cafe – Mediterranean
• Zestia Greek Food Truck – Greek food, gyros, fries

 Yes, there are designated areas for folding and beach chairs you bring to the festival. These areas are clearly marked and folding / beach chairs are not permitted beyond the indicated areas.

Tents and canopied structures are prohibited in all areas of the event footprint.

Yes, Hart Plaza ia a public place, so smoking is permitted. However, smoking is not allowed in the VIP hospitality areas and reserved seating sections. We ask that you please be courteous to fellow Festival attendees by not smoking in crowded areas.

Yes, purses and backpacks are allowed at the festival; however, alcoholic beverages are prohibited. NO COOLERS are allowed at the festival.

The Marriott Detroit Renaissance Center is the Official Host Hotel.  Check back for more information about packages or available discounts.

https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/dtwdt-detroit-marriott-at-the-renaissance-center/overview/

Yes, Detroit Police and a privately hired security company have a presence in Hart Plaza throughout the event. Please continue to use good judgment in bringing valuables and leaving items unattended.

We’ve carefully positioned each stage and designed its sound system to direct audio toward its audience while minimizing sound overlap between performances. Directional speakers, precise system tuning, real-time sound monitoring and coordinated scheduling will help create a clear, balanced listening experience across all three Hart Plaza stages.

The festival takes place outdoors, and weather conditions can change quickly. During the day, we recommend bringing sunglasses, hats or visors, and plenty of sunscreen to stay protected from the sun. Evenings can get significantly cooler, so bring layers or warm outerwear. And watch weather forecast.

The festival grounds are primarily concrete, with some uneven areas—comfortable, flat shoes are a must. We strongly discourage wearing high heels.

If you’re sensitive or allergic to sun exposure, please take proper precautions, such as wearing protective clothing or bringing appropriate coverings. Please note: shaded seating and fully covered areas are limited, so plan accordingly.

No, there are no storage options available to attendees on the festival grounds. This includes no storage of coolers brought to the festival entrance gates.

Ask a security guard about Lost & Found during festival hours. Lost & Found is available through the Hart Plaza Security Office, located below the Pyramid (JPMorganChase Stage) Amphitheatre.⁠

Hart Plaza Security Office Hours:⁠
Monday – Friday ⁠: 9am – 3pm ⁠
⁠
For more info, email hartplazareservation@detroitmi.gov