Jazz in the Garden Returns to DC This Summer With 11 Concerts

Jazz in the Garden, the National Gallery of Art’s summer concert series, is back on May 22. The celebrated summer staple takes place in the Sculpture Garden nearly every Friday through August 14. Performances center around the theme “American Sounds,” showcasing artists and genres from across the country.

Gates open at 5 PM, giving attendees time to stake out a picnic spot and grab some sangria. Concerts begin at 6 PM, though there will also be some casual dance lessons preceding the shows. No performances will take place on June 5 or on July 3.

Securing tickets for the popular event requires some luck. Tickets are doled out through a lottery system that opens on Mondays at 10 AM the week before each show and closes at noon the following Friday. People will find out if they are selected the following Monday, with the opportunity to claim up to four passes. Even if you don’t win the lottery, there’s still hope: Some tickets will be offered at the garden entrance gates at 5 PM on show day.

Beyond the music, the concert series is a lovely opportunity to spread a blanket for a picnic surrounded by art. You can pick up a bite from the Pavilion Café or bring your own fare to pair with beer, wine, sangria, and soda available at bars in the garden. No outside alcohol is allowed.

Here’s the lineup for the 2026 Jazz in the Garden season:

May 22: Oh He Dead

May 29: The Fly Birds

June 5: No concert

June 12: The Fly Birds

June 19: Georgia Heers

June 26: Sally Baby’s Silver Dollars

July 3: No concert

July 10: Garry Burnside

July 17: Joe Pug

July 24: Red Baraat

July 31: Eric Byrd Trio

August 7: The Honey Dewdrops

August 14: Brass Queens

Daniella Byck

Lifestyle Editor

Daniella Byck joined Washingtonian in 2022. She was previously with Outside Magazine and lives in Takoma.