Frequently Asked Questions

We’re following all State and County of Santa Clara requirements for public gatherings. Should any of these requirements change, we will change our policy accordingly.

View the latest from the Santa Clara County Department of Health here.

One exception is the SJMA Next Gen Stage. All who enter San Jose Museum of Art must be masked at all times. Read about all the Museum’s health and safety measures here.

Purchase tickets online on our Tickets page. Passes and tickets are available at the “Advance Purchase” price through midnight, July 31. Tickets will be available online at full price after that date through the close of the event. You may also purchase admission on site at the Ticket Booth with cash and all major credit cards, subject to availability. Purchase online to avoid disappointment and potential lines at the Fest.

Children 4 and under are free. Children aged 5-12 can enter with a Child’s daily general admission ticket, available online and at the gate for $10 per day. A child’s wristband grants admission according to the access level of an accompanying adult.

Premium Seating is a reserved seating section for VIP and Priority Access ticket holders, directly in front of the Main Stage, allowing attendees to view their favorite artists up close. VIP and Priority access ticket holders have automatic and unlimited access to this seating area. Individual seats are not reserved, and cannot be saved for longer than 15 minutes. Arrive early to make sure you get a seat for your favorite artists. VIP ticket holders have an adjoining bar and casual seating area to the right of the stage, exclusive to them. For more information on VIP and Priority Access ticket benefits, visit our page on the 4 Levels of Access.

Priority Access is a ticketing level allowing access to the Premium Seating area in front of the Main Stage (to the left when looking at the stage), first-in access at indoor stages (Montgomery Theater Stage, Hammer Theatre Stage, Swing Stage on Friday night only, SJZ Break Room Stage and the SJMA Next Gen stage. These stages are cleared after every performance. You’ll also receive $10 in drink tickets. Find all access levels here.

The Streaming Pass allows ticket holders to view a live stream of all performances held at the SJZ Break Room Stage during the fest weekend. Archived performances will be available after the weekend, too. Everyone who purchases an in-person ticket will receive this streaming pass but it can also be purchased separately on our Tickets page.

When you arrive at the Fest, head to the Prepaid line at the Ticket Booth, located on the south end of the Plaza de Cesar Chavez (San Carlos and Market Streets) to redeem your tickets for your wristband(s). Have a photo ID ready to look up your tickets.

There is only one entrance to the Main Stage, Blues/Big Easy Stage and Montgomery Stage area this year, adjacent to the Ticket Booth located on the south end of the Plaza de Cesar Chavez (San Carlos and Market Streets). Please enter the admission queue with your wristbands on and fastened and all bags and purses open for inspection.

To make your entrance to the Fest even smoother, pick up your wristband of any access level at the San Jose Jazz office at 310 South First Street, San Jose, CA 95113 during the following hours:

Aug 4-5: 4-7pm
Aug 8-10: 4-7pm

After these times you must exchange your ticket for wristband(s) at regular Ticket Booth hours.

Fri, Aug 12, 4–9:30pm
Sat Aug 13, 10am–8:30pm
Sun, Aug 14, 10am–7pm

The Ticket Booth is located on the south end of the Plaza de Cesar Chavez (San Carlos and Market Streets).

The Will Call booth is adjacent to the Ticket Booth, located on the south end of the Plaza de Cesar Chavez (San Carlos and Market Streets). If you have a ticket problem, a staff member at the Will Call Booth can help you solve it.

Summer Fest is held in San Jose’s downtown core, in both indoor and outdoor venues, centered on Plaza de César Chavez. All twelve stages are located within easy walking distance of one another. For directions to San Jose, public transportation, and parking options, visit our Getting Here page.

General admission patrons can enter through the entrance at San Carlos and Market Streets from 7–9am on Saturday and Sunday to place their blankets and chairs. After 9am the area will remain closed until the stage’s official opening times.

In order to allow viewing for everyone, chair backs must be no higher than 28” with legs no higher than 8”. Umbrellas are not allowed. Patrons may take up a space with their blankets no larger than 6′ x 8′ and this space needs to be covered with chairs. VIP and Priority access wristband holders will not be allowed in early to reserve seats, but must come in when the doors open for that day. VIP and Priority wristband holders will be provided folding chairs, but must stay in their seats or they will be opened to other patrons. GA Chairs and blankets must be cleared each evening.

Fri, Aug 12

Sobrato Organization Main Stage, Blues/Big Easy Stage: 5pm
PG&E Silicon Valley Stage (inside Signia by Hilton): 5:30pm
UA Local 393 Break Room Stage: 5:30pm
Jay Paul Company Montgomery Theater Stage: 6:30pm
Tabard Theatre Swing Stage: 8:30pm

Sat, Aug 13

Tabard Theatre Swing Stage: 10:30am
Hammer4 Stage: 11:30am
SJMA Next Gen Stage: 11:30am
Hammer Theatre Stage: 12:30pm
Sobrato Organization Main Stage, Blues/Big Easy Stage: 1pm
PG&E Silicon Valley Stage: 12:30pm
Jay Paul Company Montgomery Theater Stage: 1pm
Latin Tropical Stage: 3pm
Jazz Beyond Stage*: 4:30pm
UA Local 393 Break Room Stage: 6:30pm

Sun, Aug 14

Tabard Theatre Swing Stage: 10:30am
Sobrato Organization Main Stage, Blues/Big Easy Stage: 11am
UA Local 393 Break Room Stage: 11:30am for free youth programming, 3:30pm for wristband sets
Hammer4 Stage: 11:30am
SJMA Next Gen Stage: 11:30am
Hammer Theatre Stage: 12:30pm
PG&E Silicon Valley Stage: 12:30pm
Latin Tropical Stage: 3:30pm
Jazz Beyond Stage*: 3:30pm

* Ages 21+

Feel free to bring soft coolers or bags, low-backed chairs (backs no taller than 28”; legs no longer than 8”) and blankets with a maximum size of 6’ x 8’ into the Fest grounds.

Backpacks, hard coolers, styrofoam cups, cans, glass bottles, alcohol and illegal substances are absolutely not allowed. Vending is prohibited on festival grounds, and you must leave your pets at home, except service animals. Smoking, of any kind, is not allowed on Fest grounds or near Fest venues. Be prepared to have your bag or purse searched.

The Fest goes on, rain or shine. There are no ticket refunds or exchanges.
We will do our best to notify attendees of all changes and cancellations in advance, however, all events are subject to change or cancellation at any time without notice.

Summer Fest offers a variety of listening experiences.

Outdoor Stages

Blues/Big Easy Stage
Latin Tropical Stage*
Sobrato Organization Main Stage

Indoor Stages

Hammer Theatre Stage**
Hammer4 Stage**
Jazz Beyond Stage**
Jay Paul Company Montgomery Theater Stage**
PG&E Silicon Valley Stage (inside Signia by Hilton San Jose)**
SJMA Next Gen Stage (inside San Jose Museum of Art)*
Tabard Theatre Swing Stage (inside Tabard Theatre)†
UA Local 393 Break Room Stage**

* Free community stage
** Available with All Stages wristbands and above
† Friday, All Stages wristbands and above; Free community stage on Saturday and Sunday

On Saturday and Sunday, the Main Stage lawn area behind and around the VIP seating area will be divided into two sections. The front section is reserved for chairs only—blankets are permitted, if they fit only under your chairs. Seat backs must be a maximum of 28” in height. The rear section may be used for chairs (maximum of 28” in height) and blankets (no tarps), with a maximum of 6 feet x 8 feet reserved for any one party. One person must be in the area at all times, or the blanket will be removed.
In both sections, blankets or chairs cannot be left overnight.

We have limited capacity due to California Covid Reopening guidelines, and some Fest access levels may sell out. There are also limited capacities of VIP areas and indoor venues, and some Fest access levels may sell out, especially for Saturday, August 13. Buy tickets early to avoid disappointment and purchase Priority Access and above wristbands for first-in privileges at indoor stages.

Yes. Just show valid wristbands to enter or re-enter any stage. Those exiting the Main Stage area will be re-searched upon re-entry.

No. The festival is a non-smoking event. Smoking is not permitted inside Fest grounds or near Fest venues.

Point and shoot photo equipment may be used at any time in the public areas of the festival. If you are a professional photographer who would like pit privileges to photograph at close range, please apply for a photo credential here.

Every stage is ADA-Accessible, and there is a designated wheelchair area at the Main Stage, just in the back of the Premium Seating area. Enter from the main entrance at San Carlos and Market and proceed down the center concrete area of the park to access the wheelchair seating. There are fully accessible bathrooms throughout the Fest grounds. Please call the San Jose Jazz office 408 288-7557 for additional information.

Absolutely. If you need emergency medical or police attention, please contact any staff member/volunteer, see an attendant at the VIP Pavilion or visit the first aid booth in the Plaza de César Chávez.