Things to Do

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

The beloved Friday tradition kicks off on May 22 with soul-funk rock and sangria.

Photo courtesy National Gallery of Art.

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

Soul, funk, and rock 
Lottery opens: Monday, May 11, 10 AM
Lottery closes: Friday, May 15, 12 PM
Results announced: Monday, May 18, 10 AM

May 29: The Fly Birds

Appalachian, Americana, and folk
Lottery opens: Monday, May 18, 10 AM
Lottery closes: Friday, May 22, 12 PM
Results announced: Monday, May 25, 10 AM

June 5: No concert

June 12: The Fly Birds

Classic salsa
Lottery opens: Monday, June 1, 10 AM
Lottery closes: Friday, June 5, 12 PM
Results announced: Monday, June 8, 10 AM

June 19: Georgia Heers

Jazz vocalist 
Lottery opens: Monday, June 8, 10 AM
Lottery closes: Friday, June 12, 12 PM
Results announced: Monday, June 15, 10 AM

June 26: Sally Baby’s Silver Dollars

Classic New Orleans Dancehall R&B, soul, and Creole jazz
Lottery opens: Monday, June 15, 10 AM
Lottery closes: Friday, June 19, 12 PM
Results announced: Monday, June 22, 10 AM

July 3: No concert

July 10: Garry Burnside

Hill Country blues
Lottery opens: Monday, June 29, 10 AM
Lottery closes: Friday, July 3, 12 PM
Results announced: Monday, July 6, 10 AM

July 17: Joe Pug

Americana, folk  
Lottery opens: Monday, July 6, 10 AM
Lottery closes: Friday, July 10, 12 PM
Results announced: Monday, July 13, 10 AM

July 24: Red Baraat

Bhangra funk
Lottery opens: Monday, July 13, 10 AM
Lottery closes: Friday, July 17, 12 PM
Results announced: Monday, July 20, 10 AM

July 31: Eric Byrd Trio

Acoustic-based contemporary Jazz
Lottery opens: Monday, July 20, 10 AM
Lottery closes: Friday, July 24, 12 PM
Results announced: Monday, July 27, 10 AM

August 7: The Honey Dewdrops

Experimental folk
Lottery opens: Monday, July 27, 10 AM
Lottery closes: Friday, July 31, 12 PM
Results announced: Monday, August 3, 10 AM

August 14: Brass Queens

Woman-led brass band 
Lottery opens: Monday, August 3, 10 AM
Lottery closes: Friday, August 7, 12 PM
Results announced: Monday, August 10, 10 AM
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Daniella Byck
Lifestyle Editor

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