Scottsdale Jazz Festival 2026: Ultimate Visitor Guide

Trying to plan your trip to the Scottsdale Jazz Festival and can’t find anything beyond a ticket link and a date?

You’re not imagining it.

The official website is essentially a landing page. Every other search result is either an apartment complex blog or a thin event listing with zero practical details about parking, bag rules, seating, or what to actually expect when you walk through the gates.

Here’s the deal:

This guide covers everything — from the 4 ticket tiers and the strict clear-bag policy to walking-distance hotels and why you absolutely need layers for that 30°F desert evening temperature drop.

I’ve attended the festival, talked to repeat attendees, and compiled every detail so you don’t have to piece together scraps from 11 different websites.

In this ultimate visitor guide, you’ll find:

• Confirmed 2026 dates, times, and venue details for the Scottsdale Jazz Festival
• Complete ticket breakdown — $45 student lawn to $195 VIP (and what VIP actually includes)
• Past headliners and what to expect from the 2026 lineup
• The bag policy change that catches 1 in 3 first-timers off guard at the gate
• Free parking spots + rideshare drop-off tips for hassle-free arrival
• Walking-distance hotels within 0.5 miles of Old Town Scottsdale
• April weather intel — the evening cool-down that surprises every desert visitor
• 7 insider tips from repeat attendees that no other guide mentions

Whether you’re a jazz purist chasing live Latin grooves or a first-timer looking for a memorable outdoor evening in Scottsdale, this is the only guide you need.

Let’s get into it.

What is the Scottsdale Jazz Festival?

The Scottsdale Jazz Festival is an annual outdoor music event held at the Scottsdale Civic Center East Bowl in late April, timed to UNESCO’s International Jazz Day. Founded by musician William “Doc” Jones at the request of jazz legend Herbie Hancock, the festival features 5–8 performing acts spanning Latin jazz, contemporary jazz, blues, R&B, and funk. Now entering its 15th year, it drew a record 2,700 attendees in 2025 and benefits youth music education through the Molina School of Jazz.

Scottsdale’s event calendar is stacked — the Jazz Festival lands right between Scottsdale Spring Training season and the summer slowdown, making it one of the last major outdoor events before desert temperatures climb past 100°F.

Now, let’s break it all down.

Scottsdale Jazz Festival 2026: Dates, Time & Location

When Is the Scottsdale Jazz Festival 2026?

The Scottsdale Jazz Festival 2026 is expected on Saturday, April 25, 2026 — the Saturday closest to UNESCO’s International Jazz Day (April 30).

Doors open at 2:30 PM and live music runs from 3:00 PM until approximately 10:00 PM. That’s nearly 7 hours of nonstop jazz under the Arizona sky.

The broader festival weekend typically includes bonus events beyond Saturday:

• Thursday evening: Pre-event reception (hosted at Western Spirit Museum in 2025)
• Friday evening: Premiere Party at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, 6:00–10:00 PM (separate ticket — sells out fast)
• Saturday: Main festival at Scottsdale Civic Center East Bowl, 2:30 PM–10:00 PM

Where Is the Scottsdale Jazz Festival Held?

The main event takes place at the Scottsdale Civic Center East Bowl, located at 7380 E. 2nd Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 — right in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale.

The Civic Center underwent a $35 million renovation that transformed the East Bowl into a modern outdoor amphitheater surrounded by public art installations, the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, and the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art.

But here’s what most people don’t realize:

The venue is walkable from dozens of restaurants, bars, and hotels in Old Town. You can grab dinner beforehand, enjoy 7 hours of live jazz, then walk straight into Scottsdale’s nightlife district — all without ever moving your car.

Curious about the full area? Our Old Town Scottsdale guide covers everything within walking distance.

Scottsdale Jazz Festival Tickets: Prices & What Each Tier Includes

Tickets are sold exclusively online through the official festival website. There is no box office, no will-call, and no day-of sales at the gate. All tickets are digital.

Pricing below reflects the 2025 tier structure. The 2026 edition is expected to follow similar pricing — we’ll update this section the moment official numbers drop.

This is important:

All ticket sales are final. No refunds, no exceptions, no transfers. The festival runs rain or shine. April rain probability in Scottsdale sits at roughly 3%, but you’re accepting that risk when you purchase.

Early-bird pricing is typically available when tickets first go on sale, with prices increasing in tiers as the event approaches. If you’re committed, buying early saves real money.

VIP Experience: What You Actually Get for $195

The VIP tier shifts the experience from “outdoor concert” to something closer to a private jazz lounge.

Here’s what $195 buys you:

• Front-row chairs in rows 1–3 — the best sightlines and sound in the venue
• Exclusive VIP lounge with shaded seating away from the general admission crowd
• Private bar — separate from main vendor lines, virtually no wait
• Private restrooms — at an outdoor festival, this alone is worth the upgrade
• 1 complimentary food ticket + 2 drink tickets — approximately $35–45 in value

The Friday Premiere Party (Separate Event)

Want to know a secret?

The Friday night Premiere Party might be the best-kept part of the entire weekend — and most first-timers don’t even know it exists.

Ticketed separately through Eventbrite and held at a different venue (the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in 2025), the Premiere Party runs 6:00–10:00 PM and includes a welcome cocktail, New Orleans–inspired buffet dinner, intimate live jazz performances, and free self-parking.

Think of it as an elegant warm-up night in a resort setting rather than an outdoor festival vibe. It sells out faster than the main event — watch for the announcement on the official site and act quickly.

🎷 Get Scottsdale Jazz Festival Tickets →

Scottsdale Jazz Festival 2026 Lineup & Past Headliners

What to Expect from the 2026 Lineup

The 2026 artist lineup has not been officially announced as of February 2026. We’ll update this section the moment performers are confirmed.

The best part?

Based on 14 years of festival history, here’s what you can reliably expect:

• 5–8 performing acts throughout the day, alternating between headliners and emerging talent
• Genre diversity: Latin jazz, contemporary/smooth jazz, New Orleans jazz, blues, R&B, funk, and bebop
• International + national headliners mixed with local Arizona musicians
• Student All-Star Band from the Molina School of Jazz — these young musicians open the festival and consistently impress the crowd

Lineups are typically announced 6–8 weeks before the event, so expect confirmations in early-to-mid March 2026.

Past Headliners Worth Knowing

The Scottsdale Jazz Festival consistently punches above its weight when booking talent. Recent headliners include:

The 2025 edition was dedicated to the memory of Quincy Jones, the legendary producer and jazz icon who passed away in November 2024. That tribute brought an emotional weight that elevated the entire evening beyond a standard festival set.

This isn’t just a concert in a park. It’s a community-driven event with genuine artistic mission — and you feel that energy from the student band’s opening notes through the headliner’s final encore.

What to Bring to the Scottsdale Jazz Festival (and What’s Banned)

This section alone will save you a frustrating moment at the gate.

Now:

The Scottsdale Jazz Festival enforces a strict clear bag policy and several rules that genuinely catch people off guard. No other website consolidates all of this clearly — here’s the complete picture:

Scottsdale Jazz Festival Bag Policy

Only clear bags are allowed. Maximum size: 12″ × 12″ × 8″. Every bag is searched by security at the entrance.

Non-clear bags, oversized purses, and backpacks will be turned away at the gate. And since there is no re-entry, you can’t simply run back to your car and swap bags. You’d forfeit your ticket entirely.

Grab a clear stadium bag on Amazon for $8–12 before your trip. Simple fix for a potentially ruined evening.

Allowed vs. Prohibited Items

✅ What you CAN bring:

• ✅ One lawn chair per person (Lawn and Student ticket holders)
• ✅ Clear bag (12″ × 12″ × 8″ max)
• ✅ Sunscreen and sunglasses
• ✅ Light jacket or sweater for the evening cool-down
• ✅ Phone and portable charger
• ✅ Small umbrella (for shade — rain is extremely unlikely in April)

🚫 What you CANNOT bring:

• 🚫 Blankets (yes, seriously — chairs only, no blankets on the lawn)
• 🚫 Outside food or beverages of any kind
• 🚫 Non-clear bags, backpacks, or oversized purses
• 🚫 Coolers of any size
• 🚫 Pets (service animals excepted)
• 🚫 Smoking, vaping, or e-cigarettes anywhere on venue grounds
• 🚫 Flash photography or professional cameras with detachable lenses

Parking, Transportation & Getting to the Scottsdale Jazz Festival

Free Parking at Scottsdale Civic Center

Good news first: parking is free.

Multiple public lots and garages surround the Scottsdale Civic Center within a short walk. The main options include:

• Civic Center Parking Garage — directly adjacent to the venue, fills first
• Surface lots along 2nd Street and Drinkwater Blvd — free on weekends
• Street parking along Goldwater Blvd and Brown Ave — free after 5 PM and on Saturdays
• ADA accessible parking — limited spaces available on 75th Street near the East Bowl entrance

And here’s the good news:

Because the festival is on a Saturday afternoon, Old Town’s weekday commuter lots sit empty. You’ll have far more options than you would for a weeknight event. Arrive by 2:00 PM (30 minutes before doors) and you shouldn’t have trouble finding a spot within a 5-minute walk.

Rideshare & Alternative Transportation

If you plan on enjoying the Brew Garden’s craft beer selection (and you should), rideshare is the smart call.

• Uber/Lyft drop-off: Use 7380 E. 2nd Street as your pin — drivers know the Civic Center well
• Post-event pickup: Walk 1 block north to Goldwater Blvd or east to Scottsdale Road for easier matching and shorter surge pricing
• Scottsdale Trolley: Free trolley service runs through Old Town on select routes — check scottsdaleaz.gov/trolley for Saturday schedules

Hotels Near the Scottsdale Jazz Festival (Walking Distance)

Staying within walking distance of the Civic Center turns the jazz festival from a one-night event into a full Scottsdale weekend. No parking stress, no designated driver logistics, no surge pricing at 10 PM.

It gets better:

Every hotel below is under 0.5 miles from the East Bowl entrance — most are under 0.3 miles.

Walking-Distance Hotels (Under 0.5 Miles)

Budget-Friendly Options Nearby

If you’re looking to keep lodging costs down, Extended Stay America Scottsdale Old Town sits about 0.5 miles from the venue with rates starting around $140–170/night. Not fancy, but functional — and still walkable.

For a deeper dive on every Old Town lodging option including luxury resorts, check out our complete Best Hotels in Old Town Scottsdale guide. It covers 5 top-rated properties with full pricing, reviews, and booking tips.

Food, Drinks & the Brew Garden Experience

Since no outside food or drinks are allowed (and you can’t re-enter), the on-site vendor lineup matters. Fortunately, it delivers.

Here’s what to expect:

On-Site Food Vendors

The festival curates a rotating selection of local food vendors each year. Past editions have featured international street food, classic American fare, barbecue, and fusion dishes — with enough variety to cover multiple meals across a 7-hour event.

Expect to spend $12–18 per plate at most vendors. Cash and card accepted at all stations.

Craft Beer & the Brew Garden

The Brew Garden is a dedicated craft beer tasting area within the festival grounds — and it’s become one of the event’s biggest draws since the rebranding to “Jazz, Blues & Brews.”

• Age requirement: 21+ with valid ID (strictly enforced)
• Format: Curated selection of Arizona and regional craft beers
• Wine and cocktails also available at the main bar areas
• VIP ticket holders receive 2 complimentary drink tickets redeemable anywhere

Planning to grab dinner before or after the festival instead? Old Town Scottsdale has you covered. Check our guides to the best restaurants in Scottsdale — most are within a 5-minute walk of the venue.

Scottsdale Weather in April: What to Wear to the Jazz Festival

This is the section that saves first-time desert visitors from a miserable final two hours.

Think about it:

You arrive at 2:30 PM in 87°F sunshine wearing shorts and a t-shirt. Perfect. By 8:00 PM, the temperature has dropped to 58°F and you’re shivering through the headliner set wondering why nobody warned you.

The desert doesn’t hold heat after sunset. That’s the catch.

What to wear — the layering strategy:

• Afternoon (2:30–6:00 PM): Lightweight breathable clothing, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen SPF 30+
• Evening transition (6:00–7:30 PM): Light long-sleeve layer or cardigan
• Night (7:30–10:00 PM): You’ll want a proper jacket or hoodie — the 30°F temperature drop is real
• Footwear: Comfortable closed-toe shoes (you’ll be sitting/standing on grass for 7 hours)

The key is packing your evening layer in your clear bag when you arrive. By 8 PM, you’ll be the prepared one while half the crowd is hugging themselves through the final sets.

Other Jazz & Music Events Near Scottsdale

The Scottsdale Jazz Festival isn’t the only way to catch live jazz in the Phoenix metro area. If you’re visiting Arizona specifically for music, here’s how the major options compare:

The Chandler Jazz Festival (completely free, early April) and The Nash in downtown Phoenix make excellent complements if you’re building a jazz-focused Arizona trip. The Scottsdale Jazz Festival stands out for its combination of high-caliber headliners, outdoor setting, and the unique Brew Garden experience — none of the free alternatives match that lineup quality.

Want more ideas for filling your Scottsdale visit? Our best Things to Do in Scottsdale guide covers the must-see attractions beyond the festival.

7 Pro Tips for First-Time Scottsdale Jazz Festival Attendees

These come from repeat attendees and festival regulars — the kind of details you only learn by going:

1. Arrive 30 minutes early for the best lawn position. Doors open at 2:30 PM, music starts at 3:00 PM. The first arrivals claim the prime spots with clear sightlines and natural shade from the amphitheater walls. Latecomers end up on the outer edges.

2. Bring a low-profile chair, not a tall camping chair. High-back chairs block the view for everyone behind you. A compact low-slung beach chair or festival chair (under 32″ tall) keeps you comfortable without making enemies.

3. Pack your jacket inside your clear bag. You won’t need it until 7:30 PM — but when that desert temperature drops 30 degrees, you’ll be glad it’s there. A thin packable down jacket or fleece works perfectly.

4. Eat before the headliner, not during. Food lines peak between 6:00–7:00 PM when everyone decides to eat at once. Hit the vendors at 4:00–5:00 PM during the mid-afternoon sets and you’ll save 15–20 minutes in line.

5. Consider the Friday Premiere Party. It’s a completely different experience — resort setting, sit-down dinner, intimate performances. If your budget allows, doing both Friday and Saturday gives you the full spectrum of what the Scottsdale Jazz Festival weekend offers.

6. Book your hotel at least 4 weeks out. Late April is still peak Scottsdale season. Hotels within walking distance of the Civic Center fill up, and prices jump as availability shrinks. Early booking saves $40–80/night.

7. Make it a full Scottsdale weekend. The jazz festival ends at 10 PM — perfect timing for late-night drinks in Old Town. Pair Saturday’s festival with a Sunday morning Scottsdale brunch, a round at one of the area’s top golf courses, or explore Scottsdale’s best hiking trails before the afternoon heat.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Scottsdale Jazz Festival

Is the Scottsdale Jazz Festival free?

No. The Scottsdale Jazz Festival requires a ticket for entry. Prices range from $45 (student lawn) to $195 (VIP) based on 2025 pricing. There are no free admission windows or discounted last-minute tickets. Early-bird pricing is available when tickets first go on sale — buying early is the only way to save.

Can you bring chairs to the Scottsdale Jazz Festival?

Yes — if you hold a Lawn or Student Lawn ticket, you can bring one lawn chair per person. Low-profile chairs are recommended so you don’t block the view for others. Blankets are not allowed. Reserved Chair and VIP ticket holders receive venue-provided seating.

Is the Scottsdale Jazz Festival family-friendly?

Yes. The festival welcomes all ages. Past editions have included kids’ activities, face painting, and interactive music workshops. The atmosphere is relaxed and communal rather than rowdy. Children under a certain age may attend free (check the official site for current policy).

What happens if it rains at the Scottsdale Jazz Festival?

The festival runs rain or shine, and all ticket sales are final — no refunds for weather. That said, Scottsdale in late April averages roughly 3% rain probability and 0.12 inches of monthly rainfall. Rain is extremely unlikely but not impossible.

Can you leave and re-enter the Scottsdale Jazz Festival?

No. As of 2025, re-entry is not permitted. Once you leave the festival grounds, your ticket is void. This is a change from prior years. Plan to stay for the full event — bring everything you need through the gates when you arrive.

Is the Scottsdale Jazz Festival wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The Scottsdale Civic Center East Bowl provides full ADA accessibility including designated wheelchair viewing areas and accessible pathways to music, food, and drink areas. For specific accessibility needs or questions, contact the festival directly at andrew@scottsdalejazzfest.org or call (480) 463-4797.

How early should you arrive at the Scottsdale Jazz Festival?

Doors open at 2:30 PM with music starting at 3:00 PM. Arriving 30–45 minutes early (around 2:00 PM) gives you time to park, clear security, claim a good lawn spot, and explore the food vendors before the first set starts. VIP and Reserved Chair holders have less urgency but still benefit from arriving before music begins.

Your Scottsdale Jazz Festival 2026 Action Plan

The Scottsdale Jazz Festival is one of those events that’s far better than most visitors expect — 7 hours of world-class jazz in an intimate outdoor setting, surrounded by the restaurants, hotels, and nightlife of Old Town Scottsdale.

The key is arriving prepared: clear bag packed with layers, chair in hand, tickets purchased early, and a hotel booked within walking distance so the entire evening flows without logistics stress.

Grab your tickets as soon as they go live, bookmark this page for lineup updates, and start planning your April Scottsdale weekend.

🎷 Get Your 2026 Tickets → 🏨 Book a Walking-Distance Hotel →

What’s the one thing you’re most looking forward to at this year’s Scottsdale Jazz Festival? Drop a comment below — we’d love to hear which acts you’re hoping to see.

This post may be updated as 2026 event details are confirmed. Last updated: February 2026. ScottsdaleSpot.com is an independent local guide — we are not affiliated with the Scottsdale Jazz Festival, International Jazz Day AZ Foundation, or Scottsdale Arts. All information is verified against official sources but subject to change. Check scottsdalejazzfest.org for the most current details.