The 26th annual Lansing JazzFest takes place in the streets of Old Town, surrounded by the best of the Capital City’s art galleries as well as unique retail stores and grand architecture. Its stages will offer outstanding talent, from local favorites to regional and national acts, including many appearing for the first time in Lansing. Join the roughly 7,000 people from across Michigan and nearby states who come for the music, but also the great food and craft vendors, expansive beverage tent, children’s activities, River Boat rides and more!
Lansing JazzFest began in 1995 when the Old Town Business & Art Development Association (OTBADA), having successfully produced OctoberFest the year prior, discovered that music festivals are an excellent way to encourage people to visit and enjoy Old Town. Lansing’s jazz radio station, 89.7 WLNZ, signed on as a founding media sponsor, and MessageMakers became the festival’s founding business sponsor that same year.
In its early days, local musicians donated their time to play at JazzFest, and volunteers from the neighborhood and the local community pitched in to see that the roughly 2,000 people in attendance had a good time.