Jazz in the Garden

DC’s favorite summer concert series is back! For more than 20 years, Jazz in the Garden has turned the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden into a stage, allowing visitors to cool down by the fountain and enjoy refreshments while taking in the sounds of acclaimed musicians amidst our renowned collection of outdoor sculpture. This year, the garden will come alive with free musical performances including jazz, Latin fusion, R&B, and more, every Friday from May 23 through July 11 (except for July 4).

The season kicks off with R&B fusion from the Lao Tizer Band on May 23. Other highlights include the Julliard-trained musicians and composers New Jazz Underground on June 6, DC’s own soul vocalist Kyaira on June 13, and the international sounds of bestselling and critically acclaimed guitar trio Incendio.

Due to the popularity of Jazz in the Garden, and to give everyone an equal chance of attending, we’ll once again offer registration through a lottery system. The lottery will take place the week before each event. It will open on Monday at 10:00 a.m. and close Friday at noon at nga.gov/jazz. We’ll notify all lottery entrants whether or not they were selected the Monday before each program via email. If selected, you’re welcome to register for up to 4 passes. Registration is required for ages 2 and above.

In addition to the passes distributed through our lottery, limited passes will be available at all entrance gates—first-come, first-served—starting at 5:00 p.m. 

On concert days, the Sculpture Garden closes from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.; gates reopen at 5:00 p.m. for Jazz in the Garden attendees and the concert begins at 6:00 p.m. 

The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden is located on the north side of the National Mall. Entrances are located at 7th Street NW, 9th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, and 9th Street and Madison Drive NW.  

Scheduled Performances and Lottery Dates
May 23 
Lao Tizer Band, Jazz R&B fusion
Lottery opens: Monday, May 12, 10:00 a.m.  
Lottery closes: Friday, May 16, noon  
Results announced: Monday, May 19, 10:00 a.m.

May 30
Leigh Pilzer’s Seven Pointed Star, Jazz septet 
Lottery opens: Monday, May 19, 10:00 a.m.  
Lottery closes: Friday, May 23, noon  
Results announced: Monday, May 26, 10:00 a.m.

June 6 
New Jazz Underground, Modern jazz trio 
Lottery opens: Monday, May 26, 10:00 a.m.  
Lottery closes: Friday, May 30, noon  
Results announced: Monday, June 2, 10:00 a.m.

June 13 
Kyaira, Soul singer 
Lottery opens: Monday, June 2, 10:00 a.m.  
Lottery closes: Friday, June 6, noon  
Results announced: Monday, June 9, 10:00 a.m.

June 20 
Gastón Reggio Group, Afro-Uruguayan jazz 
Lottery opens: Monday, June 9, 10:00 a.m.   
Lottery closes: Friday, June 13, noon   
Results announced: Monday, June 16, 10:00 a.m.  

June 27 
Plena Libre, Afro-Latin fusion 
Lottery opens: Monday, June 16, 10:00 a.m.   
Lottery closes: Friday, June 20, noon   
Results announced: Monday, June 23, 10:00 a.m.  

July 4
No concert 

July 11 
Incendio, Global guitar sounds 
Lottery opens: Monday, June 30, 10:00 a.m.   
Lottery closes: Friday, July 4, noon   
Results announced: Monday, July 7, 10:00 a.m.    

See more details on each performance by visiting their calendar pages at nga.gov/jazz.  

Concerts may be canceled due to excessive heat or inclement weather. In the event of a cancelation, visitors who have reserved passes will receive an email. Weather-related updates are also available on calendar event pages or by calling 202.842.6997. Further questions can be emailed to tickets@nga.gov. 

Refreshments from the Pavilion Café 
Visitors may purchase refreshments from a special menu of sandwiches, salads, snacks, and sweets inside the Pavilion Café and at pop-up bars throughout the Sculpture Garden. A variety of beverages, including beer, wine, the crowd-favorite sangria, and sodas, are also available for sale. While visitors are welcome to provide their own picnics, outside alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited and are subject to confiscation.