Capital Jazz Fest
Capital Jazz Fest is a three-day outdoor festival held each June at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland, between Washington and Baltimore. It bills itself as "the jazz festival with soul".
- City
- Columbia
- Where
- Columbia, Maryland
- When
- Early June
- Since
- 1993
Launched in 1993, it is among the longest-running music festivals in the Washington-Maryland-Virginia area and is programmed each June during Black Music Month. Over three days it presents more than thirty acts across two stages, drawing an audience from well beyond the region to the amphitheater and lawn at Merriweather Post Pavilion.
Its programming sits at the contemporary end of the jazz spectrum: smooth and contemporary jazz alongside soul and R&B, pairing established names with newer artists. That editorial line is worth stating plainly, because a listener expecting a straight-ahead acoustic jazz bill will find something different here. The 2026 edition was scheduled for June 5-7.
Shows in our listings
Upcoming live shows related to the festival on Jazz Live US.
Where to stay for Capital Jazz
Hotels and apartments around Columbia. Prices shown are for one night; you can widen the dates on the map.
Frequently asked questions
- When does Capital Jazz take place?
- Capital Jazz takes place in Columbia in early june, and has been running since 1993. The exact dates for each edition can vary, so it's worth confirming them on the official website.
- Where is Capital Jazz held?
- It takes place in Columbia (Columbia, Maryland).
- How do I follow the program and get tickets?
- At Jazz Live US we publish its shows in our Calendar listings as they are confirmed, and for the full line-up and tickets you can check the festival's official website. If you join Jazz Live US, we'll let you know when the line-up is announced.
The exact dates for each edition can vary. Check the festival's official website to confirm the line-up and tickets.