Atlanta Jazz Festival Celebrates 49th Year with 2026 Lineup

The free festival in Piedmont Park will feature Grammy winners and local artists across Memorial Day weekend.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The 49th annual Atlanta Jazz Festival has announced its 2026 lineup, featuring a mix of Grammy-winning musicians and local Atlanta-based artists. The free three-day festival will take place over Memorial Day weekend in Piedmont Park, maintaining its status as the largest free jazz festival in the country. Organizers say this year's program reflects the traditions of jazz as well as the genre's continued evolution through hip-hop, R&B, soul, and spoken word.

Why it matters

The Atlanta Jazz Festival has been a beloved cultural institution in the city for nearly 50 years, bringing people together across generations, neighborhoods, and backgrounds to celebrate excellence in artistry. As one of Atlanta's most important annual events, the festival serves as the unofficial kickoff to summer and showcases the city's diversity and commitment to accessible, world-class music.

The details

This year's festival lineup includes a mix of Grammy-winning artists and local Atlanta-based performers. Saturday's program features Buddy Red, Aja Monet, drummer Nate Smith, bassist Christian McBride, and saxophonist Kamasi Washington. Sunday will see performances from Cleveland P. Jones, the Myron McKinley Trio, Donnie Johnson of The Colored Section, Esperanza Spalding, and The Roots. The festival will close on Monday with sets from Cody Matlock, Nicole Zuraitis, Destin Conrad, Butcher Brown, and PJ Morton.

  • The 49th annual Atlanta Jazz Festival will take place over Memorial Day weekend (May 24-26, 2026).
  • A special concert honoring the centennial of Miles Davis, featuring The Miles Electric Band, will be held on May 22, 2026 at Atlanta Symphony Hall as a lead-in to the festival.

The players

Andre Dickens

The mayor of Atlanta who announced the 2026 Atlanta Jazz Festival lineup.

Adriane V. Jefferson

The executive director of the Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs, who said the 2026 festival was curated with intention to emphasize Atlanta's role in shaping artists.

Donnie Johnson

A performer who goes by the stage name Donnie, part of the group The Colored Section, who said the festival has provided important early opportunities that helped lay the foundation for his career.

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What they’re saying

“This year represents a true full-circle moment. For nearly five decades, it has brought people together across generations, across neighborhoods and backgrounds, rooted in community, driven by excellence and grounded in a deep respect for artistry.”

— Adriane V. Jefferson, Executive Director of the Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs (theatlantavoice.com)

“For almost 50 years, this festival has celebrated Atlanta's cultural diversity and ensured that world-class music remains accessible to everyone.”

— Andre Dickens, Mayor of Atlanta (theatlantavoice.com)

“If I didn't come here, I don't think I would be where I am because of the opportunities. I love the South, I love Atlanta, and I'm thankful for the people who believed in me.”

— Donnie Johnson, Performer (theatlantavoice.com)

What’s next

A special concert honoring the centennial of Miles Davis, featuring The Miles Electric Band, will be held on May 22, 2026 at Atlanta Symphony Hall as a lead-in to the festival weekend.

The takeaway

The Atlanta Jazz Festival has become an iconic cultural institution in the city, celebrating Atlanta's diversity and ensuring that world-class music remains accessible to everyone for nearly 50 years. The 2026 lineup reflects the festival's commitment to showcasing both the traditions of jazz and the genre's continued evolution, solidifying its status as one of the premier jazz events in the country.