One of DC’s favorite summer traditions is gearing up for the 2024 season. Jazz in the Garden, the National Gallery of Art’s free outdoor concert series, kicks off its weekly shows on Friday, May 31.
Every Friday from May 31 to June 9 (except July 5) from 6 to 8:30 p.m., concertgoers will spread their blankets on the grass of the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, snag some refreshments, and enjoy the sounds of jazz, Latin fusion, zydeco, and more.
Food and drinks will be for sale at the Pavilion Café and at pop-up bars throughout the garden. Dig into handhelds like a barbeque pulled pork sandwich and a Margherita pizza, and don’t forget a glass (or a pitcher) of the event’s famous sangria.
Because these events are so popular, tickets must be reserved through a lottery system. The lottery is open the week before the show, from Monday to Friday. Those selected to attend will be notified by the Monday before the show.
If selected, you’ll have the opportunity to register for up to four tickets. And this year, if you’re selected for a concert and it’s canceled due to weather, the event organizers will offer you a rain date.
A limited number of first-come, first-served tickets will be available at the door starting at 5 p.m. the day of the event.
Here’s this year’s lineup.
- May 31: Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas
- June 7: Delbert Anderson Quartet
- June 14: 8 Ohms Band
- June 21: Muneer Nasser Quintet
- June 28: Josanne Francis
- July 12: US Air Force Band’s Airmen of Note
- July 19: Jake Blount
- July 26: Brent Birckhead
- August 2: Plena Libre
- August 9: Leigh Pilzer’s Seven Pointed Star
Feature image courtesy National Gallery of Art
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