Summer has arrived in Saint Paul, and that means it’s time to prepare for the 21st year of Minnesota’s premier celebration of jazz music—the Twin Cities Jazz Festival.
Here’s what you need to know before heading to this awesome event in Saint Paul:
Who
Over 90,000 spectators will flock to Lowertown over the three day period. Some will be devout lovers of jazz, others will just be music lovers looking to take part in the event—all are welcome, whatever your level of jazz expertise.
More than 100 artists will perform at this year’s festival. The headliners for 2019 are José James, Nnenna Freelon, the James Carter Organ Trio, Grace Kelly and Aurora Nealand with Tom McDermott. Check out the schedule for a full list of performers.
What
Started in Minneapolis in 1999 by jazz promoters Steve Heckler and Steve Adams, TC Jazz Fest began small as a free community event to promote local artists. Over the years, it has grown into a large festival celebrating jazz music—a genre that spans all ages, races and lifestyles. The free event bounced around the metro before settling into its current home in Lowertown in 2009, helping to develop the district’s lively and vibrant community.
When
June 20-22
Thursday, June 20: 11 a.m.-Midnight
Friday, June 21: 11 a.m.-Midnight
Saturday, June 22: 2 p.m.-Midnight
Where
The festival will take place at a variety of venues in Saint Paul, with the largest concentration of performances taking place in Lowertown’s Mears Park. Other venues include:
Keep tabs on the website for an updated list of venues and performances.
Why
To celebrate jazz music and kick-off summer in the city, of course. Plus, it’s free.
How
If you don’t want to stress over parking, Metro Transit will once again be offering free bus and light rail transportation. Click here for your downloadable passes.
Need a place to stay? While InterContinental is the official hotel, we’ve got you covered with plenty of options: visitsaintpaul.com/where-to-stay
For up-to-date information leading up to the event, visit the Twin Cities Jazz Festival website.
Once you're at the event, show us how much fun you're having on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #MYSAINTPAUL!
