A 2025 Rochester International Jazz Festival primer

Jazz Street’s back, and each year, the region’s largest festival continues to grow in size. Though it’s still sans headline sponsor, the fest is getting additional support from M&T Bank and Rochester Regional Health again this year, along with many other community partners.

“We are deeply grateful for the generous contributions of our corporate and government sponsors, whose support has been instrumental in ensuring the festival’s continued success,” said producer Marc Iacona. “The energy, sense of unity and shared spirit that permeates these nine days is unparalleled. It is a privilege and honor to reflect on the tremendous success of the past two decades, and eagerly anticipate the future as we continue to celebrate the magic of ‘Jazz in June.’”

From headlining acts like the much-anticipated Thundercat to the return of the East Avenue and Alexander Street stage for one night, the 2025 Rochester International Jazz Festival has something for everyone — but can be a little overwhelming to navigate, whether you’re planning a one-time visit or mapping out the entire nine day lineup.

As in years past, we’ve gathered the basics on the fest in one place for easy reference.

BY THE NUMBERS

200,000+ people attend Jazz Fest annually
1750+ artists will perform in 285+ total shows over 9 days
171 Club Pass shows
110 free shows
18 venues
10 countries represented

IN THE PAGES OF OUR JUNE ISSUE (+ ONLINE) YOU’LL FIND:
JAZZ FEST WEIRDNESS (IN A GOOD WAY): Patrick Hosken takes us through some of the most unexpected acts you’ll find at the 22nd annual fest.
SPEND 4, 8 or 12(ISH) HOURS AT JAZZ FEST: Pick a window, or commit to the long haul like Leah Stacy does roughly once a year. (Just make sure you wear good shoes, this itinerary involves a lot of walking.)
STUDENT SPOTLIGHTS: As home to one of the best music schools in the country, it makes sense we’d have student musicians cutting their teeth at Jazz Fest. CITY intern Alyssa Koh caught up with a few of ‘em.

BELOW, YOU’LL FIND THE 411: How do I make the most of my visit? What are the best food and drink options? Is it possible to do this on the cheap? Can I attend at the last minute? Is there any parking downtown? What’s the bathroom situation?

HEADLINER SHOWS
Five of this year’s 10 headliner shows are ticketed and will be held in Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, presented by M&T Bank. (As of press time, only The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis show on Saturday, June 21 was sold out.) The five free headliners are Los Lonely Boys, Jesús Molina, Lettuce and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue (all at the Wegmans Stage at Parcel 5); and Chris Lane at the East & Alexander Stage.

CLUB PASS SERIES
The Club Pass series gives access to up to 171 acts across 10 mid-sized and more intimate venues and clubs. The Jazz Festival offers two options for club passes: a three-day pass and the traditional nine-day pass, which gives a concert goer access to every act at every venue for the duration of the festival (not using it for a day? Hand it off to a friend!). A three-day pass runs $214, plus taxes and service fees. A nine-day pass runs $324 (as of press time, both passes were still available). Without a Club Pass, shows are $30 cash at the door ($35 for Kilbourn Hall). Be advised, seating at the Club Pass events are on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors to every Club Pass show open 30 minutes before the start of the performance; get there early. For the first shows at the busiest Club Pass venues — Kilbourn Hall and Max of Eastman Place — line up at 4 p.m. outside the venues to get a color-coded wristband that specifies a return time to see the show. (You must be present and in line to get a wristband.) Then come back at your assigned time and enjoy the show!

NOT ALLOWED
Pets (though guides and service dogs are OK)
Coolers
Wagons
Outside food or drink
Tents or umbrellas
Professional cameras with removable lenses

WHAT TO BRING
Valid photo ID
Digital and printed tickets
Your Club Pass (it can’t be replaced, so keep it safe and label with your contact info)
Low-profile lawn chairs for outdoor shows on Parcel 5 and Jazz Street (Gibbs St.) Stage
Blankets for outdoor shows at the Wegmans Stage @ Parcel 5, which is on a lawn
Strollers (and maybe headphones) for children
Earplugs

FOOD AND DRINK
Food and drinks will be available throughout all nine days in two main areas: along East Main Street (food trucks) and outside the big Rochester Regional Health tent at East Main Street and Gibbs; Parcel 5 will also have a full lineup on show days (June 25-28). Many of the venues will offer food and drinks — from light snacks to full meals — and local restaurants and bars within walking distance are a good go-to option for before or after taking in a performance. There are eight bar locations, with a happy hour on Jazz Street 3:30 p.m. to 5 each day featuring $1 off Lake Beverage products and zero proof options inside the McCarthy Merch Tent on Jazz Street. Jazz Fest has an exhaustive directory of onsite vendors, bars and food trucks at rochesterjazz.com/food-drinks, and it makes planning by day, area or specific food vendor seamless.

ACCESSIBILITY

All venues are handicapped accessible. Accessible portable bathrooms for those attending outdoor shows are located:
Outside the Rochester Regional Big Tent on East Main for people attending shows in the tent.
Swan Street
Near the Wegmans Stage @ Parcel 5, June 25-28
Near the East & Alexander Stage, June 21 only

FIRST AID TENT

On Jazz Street near East Main Street.

BIKE RACKS

You may park (and be sure to lock) your bike in racks located in the parking lot of the RRH Big
Tent at the corner of Main and Chestnut Streets.

RTS BUS ROUTES

Rochester’s East End can be directly accessed from several east side transit routes, including 31 Park, 33 Goodman, 38 East Main, 48 University and 57 East.
The East End is a short walk from the RTS Transit Center, where all bus routes stop. Many routes run until midnight or 1 a.m., making an evening out without the hassle of parking an easy option.

Visit myRTS.com for more information and to download the Where’s My Bus? app for real-time bus arrival info on your smartphone from Google Play and the App Store.

PARKING

Street parking is available, and sometimes you luck out! Meters are free after 6 p.m. and on weekends; download the Flowbird app for easy payments.
Parking for all East End events can be found in the East End garage at the corner of East Avenue and Scio Street.
Additional parking can be found in the Washington Square Garage (111 Woodbury Blvd.) and the NYSUT lot (30 North Union St.). Daily parking at the East End and Washington Square garages is $7.
If a little walking isn’t out of the question, additional parking can be found at the Sister Cities Garage (28 North Fitzhugh St.), Midtown Garage (270 East Broad St.), and the South Avenue Garage (39 Stone St.). These garages charge $2 an hour, up to $10.

FOR MORE

Pick up a free pocket schedule at any venue during the Festival or at the RIJF Ticket Shop at 100 East Avenue, from June 16 through June 28. Online, visit rochesterjazz.com or download the official Jazz Fest app for maps, schedules and additional information to help navigate the festival.

JAZZED TO MEET YOU
The CITY team will be out for the nine days of Jazz Fest documenting, dancing to the open-air tunes and enjoying a fried food (or three). If you see us, say hi! Follow along at @roccitymag on social and on WXXI-AM (1370) and WRUR-FM (88.5).

FOLLOW JAZZ FEST ON SPOTIFY.