Pittsburgh's Premier Jazz Celebration
The 16th Annual Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival brings legendary and contemporary jazz, soul, blues, and more to the heart of downtown Pittsburgh.
Co-presented by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, most performances are FREE on Liberty Avenue featuring food trucks, a beer garden, and Game Zone — plus ticketed concerts at AWAACC and partner venues.
Event Details
- Dates
- September 17–20, 2026
- Location
- 980 Liberty Ave, Downtown Pittsburgh, PA
- Admission
- Free (outdoor stages) & Ticketed (AWAACC concerts)
- Presented By
- August Wilson African American Cultural Center
- Co-Presented
- Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
What to Expect
World-Class Performers
Terri Lyne Carrington, Orrin Evans, Sean Jones, Eric Roberson, Lady BlackBird, and more headline four days of jazz, soul, and blues.
The Jazz Train
Round-trip train tickets from New York, Newark, or Philadelphia with live jazz music, light refreshments, and jazz activities en route to Pittsburgh.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Bernard 'Pretty' Purdie — known for the Purdie Shuffle and contributions to over 4,000 albums — receives the festival's Lifetime Achievement Award.
Food, Beer Garden & More
Food trucks, a beer garden, Game Zone, and a VIP lounge inside AWAACC round out the full festival experience on Liberty Avenue.
About the Festival
Honoring the Rhythm of Our Culture
The August Wilson Center honors Our America250, celebrating how jazz, soul, blues, gospel and R&B have shaped our country.
— Janis Burley, President/CEO of AWAACC
The Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival (PIJF) presents its 16th edition with a theme of Our America250 — examining how American music genres have influenced not only American but global culture. The festival hosts two B.U.I.L.D. artist residencies featuring producer/vocalist/composer Eric Roberson and legendary New York DJ Kid Capri.
Jazz innovators Terri Lyne Carrington, Orrin Evans, and Sean Jones headline alongside Pittsburgh-based drummer Dennis Garner leading a tribute to D'Angelo, psych-soul artist Lady BlackBird, and Mississippi's Annie & The Caldwells. Pittsburgh-based vocalist Anyah Nancy and The Rakiem Walker Project round out a lineup celebrating the future of American culture-shaping music.
VIP Passes include priority seating for outdoor stages, access to a lounge inside AWAACC, and VIP-only bars. Passes are limited — advance booking is recommended. Tickets available at pittsburghjazzfest.org.
Get Your Tickets
VIP Passes and Jazz Train packages are available now. Most outdoor performances on Liberty Avenue are free and open to the public.
Read More & Buy Tickets