This year will be the 22nd year of the annual Rochester International Jazz Festival. With over 285 shows across 18 stages in Downtown Rochester, here is what you need to know to navigate the nine-day festival.
What are the 2025 dates for the CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival?
Opening night is set for Friday, June 20, and the festival will run through Sunday, June 29.
Rochester Jazz fest parking for 2024
Festival goers can find parking in a local parking garage (rates vary) or on pay for metered street parking until it is free after 6 p.m., and on weekends. Drivers can also find parking on privately owned lots in the East End area.
Nearby parking garages include:
For those not driving, all public buses stop at the RTS Transit Center, located Downtown, and is within walking distance of the festival. View the schedule at myrts.com.
Downtown residents can access VEO and HOPR E-bikes near the festival grounds. Designated bike racks for privately owned bicycles can be found by the Rochester Regional Health Big Tent on the corner of Main and Chestnut streets.
Rochester Jazz Fest 2025 music: The headliner concerts
Popular artists like Smokey Robinson, Thundercat and more will be performing at the festival. All headliner shows are ticketed and will be held at 8 p.m. at Kodak Hall at the Eastman Theatre:
Free headliner shows will be held outside starting at 9 p.m., opening acts perform at 7 p.m.
Rochester Jazz Festival tickets
For ticketed headliner shows at the Eastman Theatre, go to rochesterjazz.com or call (585) 454-2060. You can also purchase tickets at the RIJF Ticket Shop, 105 East Ave. starting June 17. Prices vary based on the show. You can also buy at the door of Eastman Theatre at showtime, if tickets are still available.
Two types of Club Passes are available—a nine-day pass and a three-day pass. The nine-day pass is valid for the full festival, and the three-day pass grants access to three days of shows at the festival. These passes allow access to the Club Pass Series Shows and can be purchased online at rochesterjazz.com.
You can also pay per show to attend any Club Pass show. Tickets cost $30 cash at the door, $35 cash at Kilbourn Hall.
The 2025 event will feature over 285 shows by 1,750 artists.
What can I bring to the Rochester Jazz Festival?
Attendees can bring lawn chairs and blankets to the free headlining shows. Pets, coolers, tents, large umbrellas or any sort of shade structure are not permitted. Strollers are allowed, but wagons are not.
Cell phone photos and video are permitted at the outdoor concerts. No cameras (cell phones, video or still) or recording devices are allowed at indoor concerts. Photography is permitted only to professional photographers in designated areas.
Safety and security at the Rochester Jazz Fest
All bags, purses, and backpacks will be subject to search upon entry to the festival. Children 17 and younger must be with a parent, guardian, or adult 25 years or older. An adult may only accompany two unrelated youngsters.
As residents and visitors get ready to celebrate the 2025 International Rochester Jazz Festival, there will be street closures in preparation.
Rochester Jazz Fest Street Closures
East End
Parcel 5
East and Alexander
Accessibility
All accessible entrances can be found at these locations:
Guests with mobility issues may be dropped off on Main Street between Swan Street and Gibbs Street in front of Hatch Hall and Eastman Theatre.
A portion of Main Street will close to traffic, however, individuals can be dropped off on East Avenue before the streets close. Access will change based on the street closing schedules.
Guests can also find accessible bathrooms in these locations:
Festival coordinators suggest that anyone needing assistance contact the Festival office at least two weeks before the jazz festival or a specific concert. Individuals needing assistance should see a volunteer at any venue entrance.
The festival office can be reached at (585) 454-2060.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Get ready for Rochester Jazz Fest 2025: Parking, tickets, headliners and more
Reporting by Genae Shields, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
