A Grassroots Jazz Movement

Riverview Jazz emerged from humble beginnings at the Riverview Farmers Market in Jersey City Heights in 2013. What started as grassroots community concerts has grown into one of the region's most important cultural institutions. Today, the organization is best known for the Jersey City Jazz Festival, recognized as the largest outdoor jazz festival in the NYC tri-state area.

Festival Experience

Held over the last weekend in May, the Jersey City Jazz Festival takes over Exchange Place Plaza, a stunning waterfront venue with panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline. The three-day event is completely free and accessible to all, drawing over 30,000 attendees. The festival features multiple performance stages, including the main plaza stage and the iconic Owen Grundy Pier stage. Free admission to the main festival grounds means anyone can enjoy world-class jazz performances without a ticket.

Musical Programming

Riverview Jazz's stated mission is "great music to the people in a fun environment." The festival programming deliberately features authentic jazz styles—straight-ahead jazz, Latin jazz, and experimental sounds—rather than mainstream pop acts. The 2026 lineup includes Grammy-winning saxophonist Joe Lovano, the Eddie Palmieri Experience, Nelson Gonzalez, Bobby Sanabria & Ascensión, Brooklyn Circle, and numerous regional and national jazz artists. A pre-festival Jazz Week (May 26-28) offers ticketed intimate performances at various Jersey City venues, curating a full week of jazz experiences across the city.

Community & Accessibility

The festival emphasizes accessibility and community engagement. Exchange Place Plaza and Owen Grundy Pier are fully accessible, with on-site accessible bathrooms and festival staff available to assist. Families are welcome, with dedicated children's activities and free performances. Pets are permitted in the plaza and pier areas. Discounted parking is available at the nearby Harborside 6 Garage, and street parking is usually available. All performance stages are covered, making the festival weather-resilient.

Year-Round Programming

Beyond the flagship festival, Riverview Jazz presents over 100 free annual performances across Jersey City's neighborhoods in both traditional and non-traditional spaces, from concert halls to community centers to waterfront venues. The organization is committed to "building a self-sustaining audience for the arts by presenting various forms of Jazz to the community" and has become a vital cultural institution for the greater Hudson County area.

Why Attend

For music lovers in their 20s and 30s, the Jersey City Jazz Festival offers a rare opportunity: world-class live jazz from celebrated and emerging artists, completely free, in a stunning waterfront setting with Manhattan views. The three-day immersion combines serious musical programming with a relaxed festival atmosphere, family-friendly activities, food vendors, and the chance to discover both famous artists and hidden gems in the jazz world. The pre-festival Jazz Week adds intimate, curated performances in Jersey City venues for those seeking more focused listening experiences.