Twin Cities Jazz Festival Returns in Person to Mears Park

After two seasons away, the Twin Cities Jazz Festival is returning to Mears Park!

Beginning Friday, Sept. 17, jazz music will once again fill the downtown St. Paul park as part of the local event.

Born from a desire to bring more attention to jazz music in Minneapolis and St. Paul, the Twin Cities Jazz Festival celebrates the history and culture of jazz through free concerts offered across the metro. Its main stage has long been in Mears Park.

The last few years, however, have brought change to the event. In 2020, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the festival was canceled. Then, in 2021, the pandemic’s ever-changing nature lead organizers to decide upon a hybrid model as the safest way to celebrate.

The four-day festival was once again held during its traditional June time slot but was made up of primarily online concerts, with a few in-person shows at Crooner’s Lounge & Supper Club.

While elated they were able to have the festival in any capacity, organizers still hoped there was chance to bring the festival back to fully in-person shows yet in 2021.

Luckily, they were able to make it happen!

September 17 – 18 fans can return to Mears Park for a second round of Twin Cities Jazz. As the official beer sponsor, Summit Brewing will also be returning!

The musical lineup includes Emmet Cohen, Patrick Bartley and Kenny Barron on Friday, Sept. 17. Followed by Moore By Four and Delfeayo Marsalis on Saturday, Sept. 18. The beer lineup will feature Summit Extra Pale Ale, Summit Sága IPA, Summit Slugfest Juicy IPA, Summit Keller Pils, Summit Oasis Crusher Passion Fruit, Summit Oatmeal Stout on Nitro and Summit Oktoberfest both days.

For more information on artists, schedule or more, visit Twin Cities Jazz Festival online.