2025 Rochester International Jazz Festival

Get Ready to Groove: The 2025 Rochester International Jazz Festival is Just Around the Corner!

Music lovers! Are you looking for fun things to do this summer? Get ready, because the Rochester International Jazz Festival (RIJF) is returning from June 20 to June 28, 2025, filling our city with nine days of incredible sounds and energy!

This festival is a really big deal – it's known as one of the world's best jazz festivals. People come from all over to experience it, turning Rochester's East End into a lively place. What's neat about it is the "European-style format," which means you can park your car once and easily walk to all 18 different venues!

So, what can you expect at the 22nd edition of the RIJF?

A World of Music and Many Shows:

The festival isn't just about one kind of jazz. You'll hear all sorts of creative music – from classic jazz to different styles like BeBop, Dixieland, Funk, Soul, R&B, and more. There are over 285 shows with 1,750 artists from around the globe. That's a lot of music!

See the Big Names:

The Headliner Series brings some really famous artists to the Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre. You can catch legendary performers like Smokey Robinson (June 20), The Wood Brothers (June 24), Rickie Lee Jones (June 25), and the amazing bassist Thundercat (June 26). Just a heads-up, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis show on June 21 is already SOLD OUT, so grab tickets for other shows quickly!

Unlock More Music with the Club Pass:

Want to see even more? The Club Pass is often called "The Hottest Ticket in American Jazz" for a good reason! It gives you unlimited access to up to 171 incredible shows across 10 different venues. It's a fantastic way to discover new favorite artists and see a wide range of jazz styles. You can even share your pass if you're not using it!

Enjoy Free Outdoor Concerts:

Yes, there are lots of free shows too! With 110 free concerts happening, you can find great music at outdoor stages like the Wegmans Stage at Parcel 5 and the East & Alexander Street Stage. These shows start at 7 PM. Remember to arrive early, bring portable chairs, and enjoy the food and drinks available for purchase (no outside food/drinks). These shows happen rain or shine!

Keep the Music Going (and Learn Something New!):

• Late Night Jam Sessions: The music doesn't stop! Head to the Hyatt Regency Rochester nightly starting at 10:30 PM for official jam sessions. You never know who might show up to play alongside the house band. It's free to get in, and parking is free at the South Avenue Garage after 10 PM.
• Jazz Workshops: If you're a music student (of any age!), don't miss the free jazz workshops. These are a great chance to play, meet, and learn from professional musicians who are performing at the festival. They're held at the Eastman School of Music.

Plan Your Visit to the 2025 Rochester International Jazz Fest

To make your festival experience even smoother, be sure to download the new 2025 RIJF App – it's your digital guide to the whole 9-day lineup! You can also find tons of helpful information about parking, food, accessibility, and what to bring (and what not to bring) in the "Plan Your Visit" section on the festival website.

The Rochester International Jazz Festival is a truly special event that brings incredible music and energy to our community. We hope to see you on Jazz Street, enjoying all the fantastic sounds!

For the full lineup, tickets, and all the details, visit www.rochesterjazz.com.