The Jersey City Jazz Festival 2025 will run from Tuesday, May 27, through Saturday, May 31, with a special closing performance on Sunday, June 1. The main celebration will be held at Exchange Place Plaza on Friday, May 30, and Saturday, May 31, with three primary stages set up at RWJBarnabas Health Plaza, Exchange Place Alliance Pier, and a private VIP-only tent called The Clubhouse by Ford’s Gin.
This year’s event includes more than 30 scheduled performances, plus dance lessons, a parade, food vendors, after-parties, and a free public jam session. The festival is organized by Riverview Jazz, a nonprofit that began the event in 2013. In 2019, it expanded and drew over 30,000 attendees, officially becoming one of the largest jazz festivals in the New York and New Jersey region.
- The Jersey City Jazz Festival 2025 spans five days (May 27–31) and culminates in a two-day waterfront celebration with over 30 performances across three main stages.
- Most events are free, and festivalgoers can enjoy music, food trucks, parades, community activities, and even swing and salsa dance lessons.
- VIP passes offer exclusive perks, including private bar access, executive restrooms, and special merchandise, with tickets starting at $95.
Performances From Tuesday to Thursday
On Tuesday, May 27, the music begins with Champian Fulton from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at The Junto: Attic Bar. Later that night, John Hébert, along with Brandon Seabrook and Ches Smith, will perform from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM at Pet Shop.
Wednesday, May 28, includes several events. Groove on Grove, a popular outdoor music gathering in downtown Jersey City, will take place from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. At the same time, Lezlie Harrison returns to The Junto: Attic Bar, and Go Bailers perform bluegrass at The Archer from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Jazz composer Tim Berne, with musicians Gregg Belisle-Chi, Tim Angulo, and John Hébert, will also play a set from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM at Pet Shop.
Thursday, May 29 features James Austin Jr. performing “Songs in the Key of Wonder” at Brennan Court House, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, with Danny Raycraft opening. Meanwhile, Milkman & Sons will perform at The Archer, and Kali Rodriguez Peña will take the stage at The Statuary—both from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM. The Riverview Jazz All-Stars will play at the 902 Brewery Rooftop on Pacific during the same time.
Friday Launches the Waterfront Concerts
The waterfront shows officially begin on Friday, May 30, at Exchange Place, with a warm-up Happy Hour performance by Orion Turre from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM at Hyatt Regency.
Main stage programming at RWJBarnabas Health Plaza kicks off at 6:00 PM with Winard Harper & The Jeli Posse, followed at 7:00 PM by a funk and soul DJ set from Niko & Bad Habits. The headliner, The Rumble featuring Big Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr., performs from 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM.
Following the outdoor concerts, the official JCJF Jam Session will run from 9:00 PM to 1:00 AM on the Hyatt House Terrace, hosted by guitarist Charlie Sigler. This after-hours session is free and open to the public.
Saturday Offers a Full Day of Jazz on Three Stages
Saturday, May 31 features continuous programming on all three stages, with different styles of jazz, Latin, funk, and big band.
The RWJBarnabas Health Plaza Stage starts at 12:00 PM with the Riverview Jazz All-Stars, followed at 2:00 PM by Sam Barsh featuring Harry Mack, who mixes jazz with live hip-hop improvisation. At 3:00 PM, the Honk Family Band plays a short set before parading from the plaza to the pier. That’s followed by Sounds of April & Randall at 4:00 PM, Steven Bernstein’s Millennial Territory Orchestra featuring Catherine Russell at 6:00 PM, and finally, Astoria Salsa Company closes out the stage from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
At the Exchange Place Alliance Pier Stage, programming begins at 1:30 PM with the United Children’s Music Project Latin Ensemble, then the New Jersey City University Jazz Ensemble performs from 3:45 PM to 4:30 PM. A swing dance lesson is scheduled at 4:30 PM, followed by a full big band performance by Robert Edwards at 5:00 PM. A salsa and mambo dance lesson taught by Salsa Fever On2 begins at 7:00 PM.
VIP pass holders gain access to The Clubhouse by Ford’s Gin, which features exclusive performances starting with the WBGO Next Gen Collective at 1:00 PM, featuring Kevin Oliver Jr., Rodrigo Romero, Caili O’Doherty, Solomon Gottfried, Gary Jones III, and guest vocalist Larissa Jones. At 3:00 PM, the acclaimed all-women jazz group Artemis, led by Renee Rosnes, performs with Ingrid Jensen, Nicole Glover, Noriko Ueda, and Allison Miller. At 5:00 PM, a unique collaboration between Fred Hersch, John Hébert, Bennie Wallace, and Billy Drummond delivers a performance under the name Bridge & Tunnel. At 7:00 PM, rising vocalist Tyreek McDole closes the VIP series.
The second after-party happens on Saturday night from 9:00 PM to 1:00 AM again on the Hyatt House Terrace, open to all.
The Final Show Happens Sunday
The last official performance takes place on Sunday, June 1 at Moore’s Lounge in Jersey City. Winard Harper & Special Guests take the stage starting at 7:00 PM. This closing party is free to attend and serves as the final goodbye for the 2025 festival.
VIP Passes and Pricing
There are two main VIP ticket options. The All Access VIP Party Pass costs $125 and includes entrance to all events from May 27 to May 31. It provides access to The Clubhouse VIP tent, two drink tickets, an executive restroom area, and private viewing sections. It also includes merchandise: a commemorative t-shirt, tote bag, and a festival poster.
The Weekend VIP Pass costs $95 and includes the same benefits, but only for Friday and Saturday.
Children under 12 can attend for free if accompanied by an adult. A student pass is available for ages 12 to 21.
Transportation and Parking
The main venue at 1 Exchange Place is easily accessible via the PATH train and Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, both of which stop directly at Exchange Place. NJ Transit buses and the NY Waterway Ferry also arrive nearby.
For drivers, LAZ Parking is offering discounted festival parking at the Harborside 6 Garage, located at 135 Greene Street, which is three blocks away from the event grounds.
Where to Stay and Accessibility
The festival’s lodging partners include Hyatt House, Hyatt Regency, and The Canopy, all located in downtown Jersey City.
The festival grounds at Exchange Place are fully ADA accessible, with one-level access, accessible bathrooms, and staff available to assist if needed.
Food, Seating, and Pet Policy
Food trucks and vendor stalls will be open throughout the event site. While most vendors accept credit cards, there might be a few that only take cash. Attendees can bring their own chairs, but they must be taken when leaving.
Pets are allowed in the outdoor public areas such as the plaza and pier, but not inside the tented Clubhouse area. Because of large crowds and loud music, organizers advise using discretion if bringing pets.
Festival Background
The Jersey City Jazz Festival began as a small community concert in 2013. By 2019, it became an official large-scale event with over 30,000 people in attendance. It is organized by Riverview Jazz, a nonprofit that hosts nearly 100 live jazz events per year across the city, most of them free to the public.
The 2025 edition includes more artists, more stages, and more family-friendly features than ever before. For updates, tickets, and volunteer information, visit riverviewjazz.org.
