Arts & Culture
Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival
Experience the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival live in Downtown Pittsburgh!
Join us September 16-18, for the 12th Annual Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival presented by Citizens Bank, when Downtown Pittsburgh is transformed into a huge jazz club complete with jam sessions, beer gardens, and concerts that will keep you vibing all weekend long. With laid-back and intimate settings for some of the most highly anticipated Pittsburgh jazz performances of the year, it’s an event you won’t want to miss.
Featured Artists
This event, curated by the AWAACC in collaboration with award-winning musician Sean Jones, will continue the legacy of past Jazz festivals and feature legendary jazz musicians from around the world, including Ron Carter Foursight, Ledisi, Samara Joy, Stanley Clarke N 4Ever, Laurin Talese, Brett Williams, and more.
Taste of Jazz Party
The festival kicks off with an intimate concert by Ron Carter Foursight and a party at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center. At the Taste of Jazz Party, you can try delicious samplings from some of Pittsburgh's world class restaurants while you explore the center, enjoying performances by local and international talent.
Jam Sessions
The festival moves to Highmark Stadium for the rest of the weekend but visitors are encouraged to visit the August Wilson African American Cultural Center to check out their exhibits and live jam sessions.
Insider's Travel Tips
Spanning through the 14-block radius of the Cultural District in the center of downtown Pittsburgh, the JazzLive International Festival is extensive, but easily navigated. To stay close to the excitement, check out the Downtown and North Shore hotels. In a downtown hotel, you're just steps away from the performances. From the North Shore, you can take a short walk across one of Pittsburgh's iconic bridges or hop a quick ride on the T, Pittsburgh's public lightrail system. Rides on the T are free within Downtown and the North Shore.
With the dedicated bike lanes and the POGOH rental stations located throughout Downtown and surrounding neighborhoods, biking is another convenient and fun way to get from here to there. The process is simple: just pick up a bike, follow the music to the festival, find the nearest station, drop off your rental and you're off.
You can always stay at one of the fantastic hotels just outside of the city. From the south, you can ride the T and take advantage of the Park and Ride locations. Or, you can drive right in to the city. Be sure to download some helpful Pittsburgh apps to make parking quick and easy. The ParkPGH app shows real-time availability for downtown parking garages. There are also a number of metered spaces throughout downtown and the Go Mobile PGH is a great tool for fast and convenient payment.
