Despite a soggy Memorial Day weekend, thousands of residents and visitors made their way to Piedmont Park for the 49th annual Atlanta Jazz Festival, continuing a tradition that has helped Atlanta welcome summer for nearly five decades.
Established in 1978 by former Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson, the festival has grown into one of the nation’s largest free jazz festivals, drawing music lovers from across the region while remaining free and accessible to the public.
Across three days, festivalgoers enjoyed performances from Buddy Red, Aja Monet, Nate Smith, Christian McBride & Ursa Major, Kamasi Washington, Cleveland P. Jones, Myron McKinley Trio, Donnie – The Colored Section, Esperanza Spalding, The Roots, Cody Matlock, Nicole Zuraitis, Destin Conrad, Butcher Brown, and PJ Morton.
For many Atlantans, the festival is more than a concert series. It’s a Memorial Day weekend tradition. Families return year after year, friends gather on blankets across the park, and generations of music lovers come together to celebrate one of the city’s most enduring cultural events.
The festival was founded on the belief that world-class cultural experiences should be accessible to everyone. Nearly 50 years later, that commitment remains unchanged.
Mayor Andre Dickens joined festivalgoers Sunday and Monday evening, thanking attendees, sponsors, volunteers, city employees, and the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs for helping make the annual event possible and keep it free for the public.
“The jazz festival is how Atlanta kicks off summer,” the Mayor told the crowd Sunday evening.
As the final notes echoed across Piedmont Park Monday night, many attendees were already looking ahead. Next year marks the festival’s 50th anniversary — a milestone that reflects not only the event’s longevity, but Atlanta’s enduring love of music, culture, and community.
