Clearwater Jazz Holiday 2026: Full Schedule, Ticket Prices, and Free Options (Oct 15-18)

Quick Answer

The 47th Clearwater Jazz Holiday runs Thursday, October 15 through Sunday, October 18, 2026, at the BayCare Sound at Coachman Park in downtown Clearwater. Headliners include Chris Botti (Thursday), Arturo Sandoval and Sheila E. (Friday), Larkin Poe and Big Sam's Funky Nation (Saturday), and The Wood Brothers and Dumpstaphunk (Sunday). Main-stage tickets run from $39-$44 for lawn general admission to $174-$224 for VIP reserved seating, plus fees — while the daily pre-party side stages and the Sunset Bluff viewing area are free and open to the public.

What Clearwater Jazz Holiday Is

Clearwater Jazz Holiday is a four-day music festival on the downtown Clearwater waterfront, produced by a 501(c)(3) foundation that also funds music education and outreach programs across Tampa Bay. The 47th edition keeps the format locals know: one main stage on the park's large green, side stages for afternoon sets, and the Intracoastal water behind you while the sun goes down.

The festival shares its weekend with two other big October events — stone crab season opens the same Thursday, and the October events guide has the full month. For everything happening this week, our things to do this week guide tracks the day-by-day lineup.

The 2026 Lineup, Day by Day

All times below are from the official festival schedule (clearwaterjazz.com, checked October 13, 2026). The main stage is the Tampa Bay Times Stage; afternoon sets run on the VSPC Plaza and Surfside Pier Party stages.

Thursday, October 15 — Gates 4 PM

• 4:15 PM: The Reinhardt/George Group ft. Barry Greene (VSPC Plaza Stage)
• 4:30 PM: TomKats Jazz Orchestra ft. Scotty Wright & Tony Castellano (Surfside Pier Party Stage)
• 6:00 PM: Kim Waters, Jeff Kashiwa & Steve Oliver
• 7:30 PM: Chris Botti closes the night on the main stage

Friday, October 16 — Gates 4 PM

• 4:15 PM: Latin Jazz Knights (VSPC) and O Som Do Jazz Brazilian grooves (Surfside)
• 5:45 PM: Ronnie Dee & The Superstars (VSPC) and "Fires of Forever," an Arconnection tribute to Chick Corea ft. Pete Carney (Surfside)
• 7:00 PM: Arturo Sandoval
• 9:00 PM: Sheila E. & The E-Train closes

Saturday, October 17 — Gates 3:30 PM

• 3:45 PM: Young Lions Alumni Jazz Blues Collective (VSPC) and Julie Black & Her Band (Surfside)
• 5:30 PM: Carl Fischer & Sunshine City Brass (VSPC) and Shawn Brown (Surfside)
• 7:00 PM: Big Sam's Funky Nation
• 9:00 PM: Larkin Poe closes

Sunday, October 18 — Gates 3:30 PM

• 3:30 PM: CJH Youth All-Stars (VSPC) and the Chilltronic Lounge DJ set (Surfside)
• 4:45 PM: Norside (VSPC)
• 6:00 PM: Dumpstaphunk Plays Sly
• 8:00 PM: The Wood Brothers closes the festival

Ticket Prices (2026)

Prices below are the official 2026 tiers from the festival's ticketing page (checked October 13, 2026). All prices are plus fees.

Multi-day packages are available: a Sat/Sun weekend package, a full four-day package, and a 2-day flex package that lets you mix days and tiers (for example, Friday VIP and Sunday reserved).

VIP tickets are electronic only — you pick up credentials at the will-call tent with photo ID, and drink wristbands require being 21+ with ID.

What's Free at Jazz Holiday

You do not need a ticket to be part of the festival. Per the official site:

• The daily festival pre-party is free and open to the public. Music runs on the smaller Lower Plaza and Pier Party stages before the headliners, and no ticket is needed for those areas.
• The Sunset Bluff is free and open daily, with relaxed park views of the festival atmosphere. Blankets and lawn chairs are welcome there.
• Blankets and lawn chairs are permitted only in the Sunset Bluff and GA-on-the-green areas, not in reserved sections.

If you want the main-stage concert view, that's what the paid tiers are for. If you want an October afternoon of live music by the water for $0, the pre-party and Sunset Bluff deliver.

Getting There and Park Tips

Coachman Park sits on the downtown Clearwater waterfront, across the bridge from Clearwater Beach — about a 10-15 minute drive from the beach, longer at gate times. A few practical notes:

• Arrive before gates if you want a spot on the Sunset Bluff or the green; the free areas fill first-come, first-served.
• Check the official festival site's map and FAQ pages for current parking and shuttle options before you go; downtown garages and street parking are the fallback.
• Evenings on the waterfront cool down in mid-October — bring a layer for after sunset.
• The venue is the BayCare Sound at Coachman Park, with restrooms and the VIP hospitality area inside the Sound.

Make a Weekend of It

The festival lands on one of the busiest weekends of Clearwater's fall calendar:

• Stone crab season opens the same day the festival does (October 15). Our stone crab season guide covers opening day, where to eat claws, and the Frenchy's festival two weekends later.
• A free Jazz 'N Art Walk is listed for downtown on Oct 15-16 (per downtown event listings checked October 13; confirm details before you go).
• Staying over? The where to stay guide covers the beach-to-downtown options, and the Clearwater Beach first-timer guide handles parking and planning if the beach half of the trip is new to you.

FAQ

Where is Clearwater Jazz Holiday held?

At the BayCare Sound at Coachman Park, on the downtown Clearwater waterfront. The paid concert area is the park's large green; the free pre-party stages and Sunset Bluff are in the surrounding park areas.

How much are Clearwater Jazz Holiday tickets?

Main Lawn GA runs $39-$44 plus fees, reserved seating $59-$64, premium reserved $94-$104, and VIP $174-$224. A stage-front table for four is $804-$848. Multi-day packages and a 2-day flex option are available.

Is Clearwater Jazz Holiday free?

Partly. The main-stage concerts require a ticket, but the daily pre-party on the side stages and the Sunset Bluff viewing area are free and open to the public.

Can you bring lawn chairs to Jazz Holiday?

Yes — in the Sunset Bluff and GA-on-the-green areas only. Blankets and low chairs are the norm; reserved sections keep aisles clear.

What time do gates open?

4 PM Thursday and Friday, 3:30 PM Saturday and Sunday.

Who is headlining Clearwater Jazz Holiday 2026?

Chris Botti opens Thursday; Arturo Sandoval and Sheila E. headline Friday; Big Sam's Funky Nation and Larkin Poe headline Saturday; Dumpstaphunk and The Wood Brothers close Sunday.

Schedule, ticket tiers, and free-area policies verified October 13, 2026 against the official festival site (clearwaterjazz.com schedule and ticketing pages). Lineups and prices can change; check the official site before you go.