Every summer, live music fills nearly every corner of Downtown Burlington. At the heart of this vibrant scene is the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival, a five-day event celebrating jazz, organized by the Flynn. Celebrating its 43rd year, the festival features renowned jazz artists from across the globe, offering attendees a memorable experience.
The festival, running June 3-7, will open and close with two main events at The Flynn Main Stage:
OPENING NIGHT: THE BEAT BENEATH US
The festival kicks off on Wednesday, June 3, with a powerful opening night performance at the Flynn Main Stage.
The Beat Beneath Us brings together dance and music through rhythm, movement, and history. The evening begins with Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE, A Dance Company, performing a tribute to legendary drummer and activist Max Roach.
The second half features an extraordinary collaboration between Savion Glover, Jason Moran, and Chris Dave. Blending tap, piano, and drums, the performance becomes a live, improvisational conversation where music and movement are inseparable.
CLOSING NIGHT: A NATION LISTENS
On Sunday, June 7, the festival concludes wth A Nation Listens, a closing performance that reflects on history, identity, and storytelling through jazz.
Saxophonists Mark Turner and Chris Potter join guitarist Julian Lage for a performance inspired by abolitionist John Brown. The program also draws from James Weldon Johnson’s The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man for a meaningful close to the festival.
Meet The Curator: Jason Moran’s Vision for 2026
This year’s festival is curated by MacArthur Fellow Jason Moran, a pianist, composer, and interdisciplinary artist known for expanding what jazz can be.
ding voice in contemporary music, Moran brings a perspective shaped by performance, visual art, and storytelling. His work often connects jazz to broader cultural and historical themes, creating experiences that feel both rooted and current.
In June, that vision comes to fruition in a lineup that blends movement, collaboration, and narrative. From opening night to the final performance, each moment builds on the idea of jazz as a shared experience, shaped by history and brought to life on stages across Burlington.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Dates: June 3-7, 2026
Location: Downtown Burlington & Flynn Main Stage
Tickets: Opening and closing night performances are on sale now, with additional programming announced on April 15
From free outdoor performances to ticketed shows at the Flynn, the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival offers something for every kind of music lover.
