Hyde Park Jazz Festival

How it was

This year's edition is over — the lineup, schedule, and practical notes below are kept as the record of 2026.

Lineup

• Joshua Redman (Solo)
• HPJF 20th Anniversary Band: Hill/McCraven/Paul/Ross
• Alfredo Rodriguez Quintet featuring Pedrito Martinez
• Kris Davis Trio
• Nicole Mitchell's Black Earth SWAY
• Tomeka Reid: In Tribute to Ellington
• Emmet Cohen Presents: Miles and Coltrane at 100
• Big Chief Donald Harrison Quartet
• Amir ElSaffar New Quartet
• Ari Brown Quintet
• Ben LaMar Gay: Yowzers!
• Orbert Davis Sextet
• Rob Mazurek Prismatic Trio
• Dee Alexander & Bruce Henry: The Music of Oscar Brown Jr.

Schedule

1. Sept. 26 — Saturday: Noon-10 p.m. across Hyde Park venues; Rockefeller Chapel currently lists Joshua Redman solo, 10-11 p.m.
2. Sept. 27 — Sunday: 1-7 p.m. across Hyde Park venues.
3. 2026 Lineup — 20th Anniversary Artists: Official artist page includes HPJF 20th Anniversary Band: Hill/McCraven/Paul/Ross, Alfredo Rodriguez Quintet, Amir ElSaffar New Quartet, Ari Brown Quintet, Ben LaMar Gay, Big Chief Donald Harrison, and more.

What to expect

Hyde Park's free neighborhood jazz festival hits its 20th anniversary in 2026 — two days across the Midway Plaisance and Hyde Park's grand rooms (Logan Center, the Smart Museum, Rockefeller Chapel). Saturday runs noon–10pm, capped by Joshua Redman's solo set at Rockefeller Chapel (10–11pm); Sunday runs 1–7pm. The 2026 lineup includes the HPJF 20th Anniversary Band (Hill/McCraven/Paul/Ross), the Alfredo Rodriguez Quintet featuring Pedrito Martinez, Kris Davis Trio, Nicole Mitchell's Black Earth SWAY, Tomeka Reid's Ellington tribute, Emmet Cohen's Miles and Coltrane at 100, and the Big Chief Donald Harrison Quartet.

Transit

Metra Electric to 55th–56th–57th St or 59th St (University of Chicago) drops you at the Midway; the #6 and #2 buses run from downtown. A free, ADA-accessible festival shuttle loops the venues every ~15 minutes on Saturday. There's free street and University surface parking, plus fee garages at 61st/Drexel and 55th/Ellis.

Bag policy

Open, family-friendly festival across public greens and indoor venues — standard bag courtesy. Bring a blanket or low chair for the Midway lawn.

Family-friendly

Yes — free, all-ages, and easy to wander; the Midway Plaisance lawn is stroller-friendly and the free shuttle is ADA-accessible.

History

Founded in 2007, the Hyde Park Jazz Festival is a free, 501(c)(3) neighborhood festival staged across the Midway Plaisance and Hyde Park landmarks — the Logan Center, the Smart Museum, and Rockefeller Chapel. 2026 marks its 20th anniversary.

Local tips

1. Treat the $10 donation as part of the civic bargain. The festival is free because listeners support it.
2. Rockefeller Chapel is the cathedral moment. For Joshua Redman's solo set Saturday at 10pm, arrive early and expect the room itself to shape the music.
3. The free shuttle runs Saturday only; on Sunday, plan a walkable route between venues.
4. Download the official program for the grid schedule and venue map before you go.
5. This is a listening festival, not a background-music lawn. Bring curiosity and stay through a whole set.

Frequently asked questions

Is Hyde Park Jazz Festival free?

Yes. The official site says the festival is free and welcomes a suggested $10 donation.

When is the 2026 festival?

Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27, 2026.

Is the 2026 lineup posted?

Yes. The official 2026 artist page is live and says programming is complete.

Who is playing Rockefeller Chapel?

The current Rockefeller Chapel page lists Joshua Redman solo on Saturday, September 26, from 10-11 p.m.

What makes this festival different from Chicago Jazz Festival?

Hyde Park Jazz is venue-hopping and neighborhood-rooted on the South Side, with intimate rooms and Hyde Park institutions shaping the experience.