📅 When
September 18, 2026 – September 20, 2026
13:00
📍 Where
Pensacola Maritime Park, 301 W Main St, Pensacola, FL 32502
📞 Contact
About this event
Mark your calendar for September 18–20 and make the drive to beautiful Pensacola Maritime Park for the Gulf Coast Summer Fest Jazz Edition — a premier three-day outdoor jazz festival that draws music lovers from as far as Canada, England, and Japan. This adults-only celebration of smooth jazz and contemporary R&B brings the Emerald Coast's most scenic waterfront park to life with an all-star lineup guaranteed to move your soul.
The 2026 lineup reads like a who's who of contemporary jazz royalty: Marcus Miller, Boney James, Rick Braun, Jeff Lorber Fusion, Richard Elliot, Brian Simpson, Jeff Bradshaw, Julian Vaughn, Eric Darius, Pieces of a Dream, Kim Scott, and Vincent Ingala share the stage across three electrifying evenings. With gates opening at 1 PM daily, there's ample time to stake out your prime lawn spot, grab drinks, and settle in as the sun sets over Pensacola Bay and the music takes flight.
Whether you're a dedicated smooth jazz devotee or simply love the idea of world-class live music with a warm sea breeze, this is a bucket-list Gulf Coast experience. Weekend passes and single-day tickets are available through Ticketmaster and AXS — grab yours early as this event tends to sell out. Pensacola is just about an hour west of Destin on Highway 98, making it an ideal day-trip or weekend getaway from your Emerald Coast rental.
Best for: Jazz lovers, adult couples, music enthusiasts aged 18+
What to expect: Three days of world-class smooth jazz and R&B at Pensacola Maritime Park. Headliners include Marcus Miller, Boney James, Rick Braun, Richard Elliot, and more across Friday–Sunday evenings.
Planning tip: This is an 18+ event. Book Pensacola accommodations early or make it a day trip from Destin (~1 hour drive on Hwy 98). Single-day and 3-day passes available via Ticketmaster and AXS.
Cost: Tickets required. Single-day and 3-day passes via Ticketmaster and AXS.
