The CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival in Rochester, New York, is one of the nation's most popular and most respected music festivals. The festival is 9 days and held in the east end cultural district of downtown Rochester, New York. All venues are within walking distance. Enjoy more than 100 free shows, our headliner series and the unique Club Pass Series. 

June 21 -29, 2019 – 9 days! Shows start daily at 3:45PM and go through 11PM. Jam Sessions start nightly at 10:30PM.

The festival is held in 20 different venues in Downtown Rochester's East End Cultural District between East Ave and East Main street centered on Gibbs Street. You can walk to all venues! See Travel page for more details. 

It varies.

Free shows – no tickets are required!

Headliner shows at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre – reserved seating; tickets required.

Club Pass Series shows – require either a Club Pass or $30/($35 Kilbourn Hall) at the door.

See Tickets for more information.

The festival Ticket Office will open  June 3 from Noon to 5 p,m. and from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. June 21-29.

The Ticket Shop is located at 100 East Avenue at the corner of Gibbs Street.

More than 1500 artists representing all aspects of creative improvised music. See the schedules for the headliner, free shows and Club Pass Series shows  under RIJF 2019.  See artists. 

The Club Pass is Hottest Ticket in American Jazz!!! We offer 3-day Club Passes and  9-Day Club Passes. It's a value pass that allows multiple access to more than 220 sets of music for either any 3 days or all 9 nine days of the festival, June 21-June 29, at 12 official club pass series venues on a first come-first served seating basis. Venues may fill to capacity prior to shows. To ensure a better chance of a seat, arrive early and wait in line. Doors open 30 minutes before each show.

There are many surface lots and parking garages around the festival. See Travel/Getting Around for details on where to park.

Restrooms are located inside every venue. There are also portable bathrooms outside of the Rochester Regional Health Big Tent, the alley adjacent to Kilbourn Hall, alongside the Avangrid RG&E Barclay Damon Fusion  Tent, on Chestnut Street and near Parcel 5 for Friday and Saturday concerts and the M&T Pavilion.

You can buy tickets in advance online or at the door if not sold out for headliner concerts at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre. No advance tickets are available for Club Pass shows. Entry is $30 or $35 (Kilbourn Hall), cash only at the door, first-come, first-served entry and seating for everyone. Shows sell out, so arrive early to avoid disappointment!  No tickets are required for free shows. 

Day passes are only available for sponsors and volunteers and are not for sale. You can still enter any Club Pass Series Show by paying the cover charge at the door, $30/35, first come, first served.

You can take pictures at any outdoor concert. But the use of cameras (still, video, cell phones) and recording devices are strictly prohibited at all indoor concerts. Photography is permitted only by credentialed photographers in designated areas. Concertgoers are asked to please abide by these guidelines out of respect for the artists and others in the audience. Anyone not abiding by these rules will be asked to leave the venue.

Children are welcome at outdoor free shows. Shows on Jazz Street start at 3:45-4:00 daily with music that is appropriate for families. We also offer noon shows at the library that are free. Many families bring their children to jazz street for food, free music. It’s a great place to meet friends and learn about jazz!

Club Pass and Eastman Theatre shows are probably not appropriate for very young children if they are not able to sit through a concert. Young people with an interest in music who are experienced concert-goers are welcome. Tickets are required, there are no discounts for students. We also offer thanks to Wegmans, a free series of workshops for young musicians during the festival.

It depends on the show. This year to reduce wait times in two venues with the longest wait times, Kilbourn Hall and Max of Eastman Place, we are implementing a new numbering system. See Save Time in Line System info here. Sometimes people line up two or more hours ahead of time. As we say, "Learn to love the line." Shows do sell out so if you want to get in, stand in line and enjoy the company of other jazz fans. You can purchase a tripod stool at the Merchandise Tent to sit on while you wait. 

The Rochester Riverside is the official hotel. Call (585) 546-6400 or for reservations call +1 (800) 333-3333 (US/Canada Toll-free ). For other places to stay see more at: http://www.rochesterjazz.com/php/travel.php#sthash.j3I1NTVP.dpuf

Everywhere! There are food trucks; food is served at many venues and lots of great restaurants in the festival area. 

If we could predict that we would probably be in another line of business. Rain or shine the festival is a great experience. Most venues are indoors so weather does not impact the concert schedule. All outdoor shows go on rain or shine unless there are severe weather conditions.

If you have already looked at the venue or location where you think you lost something, please go to the Ticket Shop at the corner of Gibbs Street & East Ave open 10AM–11PM daily during the festival to see if the item has been turned in. We suggest that you print your name and cell number on your Club Pass so that you can be notified if it's lost and found.

Yes, sign up for our free email newsletter and you'll get all the latest news.

Yes for iPhone and Android. It's easy, free, plan your schedule, set reminders, get all the latest festival info anywhere, anytime! iPhone and Android downloads.

The 2019 App will be updated  in April. 

Visit this page for how to apply. Thanks for your interest.

In order to be considered, you must send an Electronic Press Kit (EPK) between Oct 15 and Nov 1 of each year. Due to the extremely high volume of submissions, suggestions, and requests, we are unable to acknowledge submissions via phone or email. If you submit an EPK, please do not contact the festival asking about the status of the submission. We will make contact if you or your artist/group is chosen. Thanks for your interest in XRIJF.

Contact Marc Iacona, Executive Director/Producer, marc@rochesterjazz.com 

See: Press Contacts, Advertising, Marketing: Dalmath Associates, Inc. (585) 586-6650 Jean Dalmath | Amanda Antinore

No, there are no discounts for students or seniors.

You can begin to redeem your  Club Pass Ticket for a Pass starting June 3 at the Tickets Shop. 

Pick up tickets ordered by phone or online at Will Call at Eastman Theatre one hour before the show starts in the Eastman Theatre lobby. Look for the Will Call Table.

Yes, several streets are closed: see Travel for details.  

Yes, bike racks are conveniently located in the parking lot of the Rochester Regional Health Big Tent at the corner of Main and Chestnut.  Please lock your bike.