Rochester Jazz Festival 2025: What to know before you go
More than 1,700 musicians will be performing at the Rochester International Jazz Festival from June 20 through June 28. Over 200,000 jazz fans are expected to head downtown to check out the hundreds of shows planned this year.
With so many performances and venues, it may seem a bit overwhelming at first. So here is a guide on what to expect:
There are 285 concerts at this year's Jazz Festival, including jazz workshops. Many of the shows are free, while others require you to purchase tickets beforehand.
All of the ticketed headliners will be performing at Kodak Hall with others performing at a variety of venues listed below.
Ticketed Headliners
Smokey Robinson (Friday, June 20 at 8 p.m.)
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis (Saturday, June 21 at 8 p.m.)
The Wood Brothers (Tuesday, June 24 at 8 p.m.)
Rickie Lee Jones (Wednesday, June 25 at 8 p.m.)
Thundercat (Thursday, June 26 at 8 p.m.)
Free Headliners
Alyssa Trahan Band (East & Alexander Stage – Saturday, June 21 at 7 p.m.)
Chris Lane (East & Alexander Stage – Saturday, June 21 at 9 p.m.)
Sonidos Unidos (Parcel 5 – Wednesday, June 25 at 7 p.m.)
Jesus Molina (Parcel 5 – Wednesday, June 25 at 9 p.m.)
Bruce Katz Band (Parcel 5 – Thursday, June 26 at 7 p.m.)
Los Lonely Boys (Parcel 5 – Thursday, June 26 at 9 p.m.)
Lettuce (Parcel 5 – Friday, June 27 at 9 p.m.)
Helium Bubble (Parcel 5 – Saturday, June 28 at 7 p.m.)
Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue (Parcel 5 – Saturday, June 28 at 9 p.m.)
You can look at the entire list of shows by clicking here.
The hundreds of concerts planned for the festival will be performed at 18 venues across Downtown Rochester. Below is a list of each venue and where to find them:
Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County – South Avenue
Jazz Street Stage – Gibbs Street at East Ave.
East & Alexander Stage
Eastman School of Music – Gibbs Street
Ray Wright Room 120
Hatch Recital Hall
Kilbourn Hall
Hyatt Regency Rochester – East Main Street
Inn on Broadway – Broadway
Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre – Gibbs Street
Max of Eastman Place – Gibbs Street
Montage Music Hall – Chestnut Plaza
Rochester Regional Health Big Tent – East Main Street
Temple Theater – Liberty Pole Way
The Duke – East Main Street
The Little Theatre – East Avenue
Theater at Innovation Square – Chestnut Street
Wegmans Pavilion – East Avenue and North Chestnut Street
Wegmans Stage at Parcel 5 – East Main Street
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Keep in mind, there are still plenty of free shows to check out at the festival, but some require you to purchase tickets or Club Passes.
Most of the tickets are still available for purchase for the headlining shows, with many of the prices costing upwards of $150+, depending on the concert.
Festival-goers also have the option of purchasing a Club Pass, which can be purchased to visit 171 Club Pass shows at 10 Club Pass venues. You can also purchase a three-day or nine-day Club Pass.
All tickets and Club Passes can be purchased by clicking here or at the 'RIJF Ticket Shop' at East Avenue. This will be open June 16-20 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. or June 20-28 from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
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As with each year, there is not one specific designated parking area, instead there are a variety of options around the venues.
While some side streets will be closed, there are still many parking meters near the festival, Meters are in service from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays. You can park there for free after 6 p.m. or during the weekends.
Multiple garages and surface lots will be available near the grounds, but drivers are urged to read the signs to make sure parking is allowed and pay their respective fees. The festival is not responsible for anyone parking illegally.
Here are the nearest parking options:
East End Garage on East Main Street
Midtown Garage on South Clinton Avenue, Court Street, and East Broad Street
Court Street Garage
Washington Square Garage on Woodbury Boulevard
South Avenue Garage on Stone Street
Sister Cities Garage on North Fitzhugh Street
Whether you are going to the festival, or just need to get around downtown, please note a few road closures.
Gibbs St. from East Ave. to East Main St. (June 9 at 7 a.m. to July 2 at 12 a.m.)
Gibbs St. from Grove St. to Main St. (June 20-28, 4 p.m. – 12 a.m.)
East Ave. from Scio St. to Chestnut St. (June 20-28, 4 p.m. – 12 a.m.)
Chestnut St. from Main St. to Broad St. (June 25-28, 8 a.m. at 4 p.m.)
Elm St. from Clinton to Chestnut St. (June 25-28, 8 a.m. – midnight)
Cortland St. from Elm St. to E. Main Street (June 25-28, 2 p.m. – midnight)
Andrew Langston Way from Elm St. to E. Main St. (June 25-28, 2 p.m. – midnight)
Euclid St. from Chestnut St. to Andrew Langston Way (June 25-28, 8 a.m. – midnight)
Atlas St. from Euclid St. to Elm St. (June 25-28, 2 p.m. – midnight)
East Ave. from Prince St. to Alexander St. (June 21 at 6 a.m. – June 22 at 2 a.m.)
East Avenue from Alexander St. to Union St. (June 21, 5 p.m. to midnight)
Alexander St. from University Ave. to Park Ave. (June 21, 5 p.m. to midnight)
Lawrence St. from East Ave. to Charlotte St. (June 21, 5 p.m. to midnight)
Anyone looking for more information about the Rochester International Jazz Festival can check out their website by clicking here.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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