Savannah Jazz Festival: free in Forsyth Park every September

Last checked Oct. 6, 2026. Facts come from Savannah Jazz, the nonprofit that runs the festival, and its Forsyth Park guidelines. The 2027 dates are not announced. This page is updated for each year’s festival at the same address.

The Savannah Jazz Festival is a free weekend of jazz on the lawn of Forsyth Park every September. The 45th festival ran Friday, Sept. 18, to Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. Savannah Jazz has not yet announced the 2027 dates.

Know before you go

• When: September each year; 2027 dates to be announced (2026: Sept. 18-20)
• Where: Forsyth Park; the 2026 Sunday school band day was at District Live
• Cost: free; a ticketed patrons’ tent is sold separately
• Bring: lawn chairs, blankets, a cooler and cash (there is no ATM in the park)
• Rain plan: stays in the park in rain; moves to the Trustees Theater for lightning
• Organizer: savannahjazz.org

What it is

Savannah Jazz grew out of the Coastal Jazz Association, a grassroots nonprofit founded in 1981, its about page says. It produces the festival, runs the Savannah Jazz Orchestra and oversees the Savannah Jazz Hall of Fame, which honors Johnny Mercer, Ben Tucker, James Moody, Joe “King” Oliver, Teddy Adams and others. The Hall of Fame exhibit is in the Savannah History Museum.

The festival is free for everyone, the organizer says. Its Nickel and Oak patrons’ tent is a ticketed upgrade. Savannah Jazz has not posted the 2027 tent prices.

When it happens

The festival is held in September. Recent years, from the organizer’s own lineup pages:

In 2023 the festival opened Monday, Sept. 18, with four ticketed nights, and Sept. 22-24 were free, the organizer’s 2023 ticket page shows. Check each year’s schedule for which nights carry a ticket.

The 2026 lineup

The 2026 lineup gives a sense of the weekend:

Friday, Sept. 18, Forsyth Park - EG Kight, 6:30 p.m. - Gino Castillo and the Latin Cowboys, 7:50 p.m. - The Joe Gransden Big Band, 9:10 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 19, Forsyth Park - University of North Florida Jazz Ensemble #1, 3 p.m. - Savannah Jazz Hall of Fame Band, 4:10 p.m. - The Brian Miller Band, 5:30 p.m. - The Storyville Stompers, 6:50 p.m. - Jane Monheit and the Savannah Jazz Orchestra, 8:10 p.m. - Huntertones, 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 20, School Band Day at District Live, Plant Riverside District - Hilton Head Christian Academy Eagles Band, 2 p.m. - Savannah Arts Academy Skylite Band, 2:45 p.m. - Georgia State University Mercer Jazz Combo, 3:30 p.m.

Park rules

From the festival’s Forsyth Park guidelines:

• Allowed: lawn chairs, coolers and blankets.
• Tents and beach umbrellas: set them up along the edge of the park. A volunteer can show you where.
• Not allowed: drones, grills and open flames. Do not stand or lean on the barricades in front of the stage.
• Food and drink: beer, wine and soft drinks are sold, with food vendors and food trucks.
• Bring cash. There is no ATM in the park.

Weather: the festival goes on in Forsyth Park in the rain. If there is lightning or thunder, it moves to the Trustees Theater, 216 E. Broughton St., 912-525-5051.

Parking

Savannah Jazz does not publish a parking plan. The city’s Mobility and Parking Services department, 912-651-6470, runs the city garages and meters. Forsyth Park sits at the south end of the Historic District; see our parks and trails guide for the park itself.

Jazz the rest of the year

Savannah Jazz holds concerts through the year. The next on its events page is 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026, at The Venue Savannah. It has also staged a Christmas Day concert with Teddy Adams and the Savannah Jazz All-Stars; in 2025, tickets were $25 for members and $30 for others.

What this means for you

• Save a September weekend and check savannahjazz.org for the 2027 dates.
• Pack a chair, a cooler and cash, and come early for a spot near the stage.
• Watch the sky: lightning or thunder moves the music to the Trustees Theater.

More: live music and nightlife in Savannah, free things to do and things to do this month.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Savannah Jazz Festival 2027?

Savannah Jazz has not announced the 2027 dates. The festival is held in September; the 45th festival ran Friday, Sept. 18, to Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.

Is the Savannah Jazz Festival free?

Yes. “The Savannah Jazz Festival is free for everyone,” the organizer says. A ticketed patrons’ tent with shaded seating is sold separately.

Can I bring a cooler to the Savannah Jazz Festival?

Yes. Lawn chairs, coolers and blankets are allowed in Forsyth Park. Tents and beach umbrellas go along the park’s edge. Grills, open flames and drones are not allowed.

What happens if it rains at the Savannah Jazz Festival?

The festival goes on in Forsyth Park in the rain. If there is lightning or thunder, the show moves to the Trustees Theater, 216 E. Broughton St.