Savannah Jazz Festival 2026 returns September 18-20, bringing outstanding live jazz to venues throughout the Historic District. The highlight is a weekend of free outdoor concerts in beautiful Forsyth Park, making this annual celebration an excellent reason to plan a September getaway to Savannah.
Best of all for guests of McMillan Inn, our location is just two blocks from Forsyth Park. Leave the car behind, stroll to the festival, and enjoy some of the city’s best live music practically in your backyard.
Savannah Jazz Festival 2026 in Forsyth Park
Savannah has deep jazz roots, and the annual festival celebrates that heritage with local, regional, and nationally recognized performers. This year’s Forsyth Park concerts begin Friday evening, September 18, and continue through Saturday, September 19.
Friday’s lineup includes blues guitarist and singer EG Kight, Gino Castillo and the Latin Cowboys, and the Joe Gransden Big Band.
Saturday brings a full afternoon and evening of music, beginning with the University of North Florida Jazz Ensemble #1. The Savannah Jazz Hall of Fame Band, Brian Miller Band, and Storyville Stompers follow. Acclaimed jazz vocalist Jane Monheit performs with the Savannah Jazz Orchestra at 8:10pm, followed by Huntertones at 9:30pm.
Admission to the Forsyth Park concerts is free, so find a spot on the lawn and settle in for an evening of live jazz beneath Savannah’s oak trees. Learn more at savannahjazz.org.
Make a Savannah Weekend of It
Savannah Jazz Festival 2026 may provide the soundtrack, but there is plenty to fill the rest of your weekend.
Start Saturday morning at the Forsyth Farmers’ Market, held at the south end of the park from 9am to 1pm. Then explore Savannah’s historic squares, museums, shops, and restaurants before returning to Forsyth Park for the afternoon performances.
September is also a wonderful time to wander the Historic District, explore River Street, or simply slow down and enjoy Savannah between festival events. With so much within walking distance, there is no need to pack every hour with plans.
Stay Near the Savannah Jazz Festival
Few accommodations are better positioned for the festival than McMillan Inn. Located in Savannah’s Historic District and just two blocks from Forsyth Park, our bed and breakfast makes attending the park concerts especially convenient.
Enjoy a full Southern-style breakfast before exploring Savannah, spend the afternoon and evening listening to live jazz, then walk back to the inn and relax in the courtyard or by the pool.
The combination of free music, a beautiful park setting, and a historic Savannah getaway makes festival weekend an especially rewarding time to visit.
Plan Your Savannah Jazz Festival 2026 Getaway
Savannah Jazz Festival 2026 takes place September 18-20, with free concerts in Forsyth Park and additional festival events around Savannah.
September is a popular time to visit, and festival weekend brings music lovers from near and far. Make your plans now, reserve your room at McMillan Inn, and get ready for a weekend of great jazz and Savannah hospitality.