About the NoMad Jazz Festival

A Celebration of Jazz in NoMad, NYC

Get ready for an unforgettable weekend of world-class music at the inaugural NoMad Jazz Festival, taking place August 9 –10 in Madison Square Park. This free, public event promises an immersive experience of live jazz, community celebration, and family-friendly fun – all in one of NYC’s most iconic neighborhoods.

What’s Happening?

Expect an electric lineup curated by The Jazz Gallery’s Rio Sakairi, featuring stars like Lizz Wright, Ravi Coltrane Quartet, Roy Hargrove Big Band, Michael Mayo, Dabin Ryu Trio, Arta Jēkabsone, Caracas Trio, and Melissa Almaguer — with more to come! Morning family fun, pop-up cultural moments, dance-worthy sets, and even percussive tap performances make this a community experience like no other. It’s a multigenerational happening for all ages.

When & Where?

• Festival Week: August 3–8, with activations throughout NoMad & Flatiron
• Festival Weekend: August 9–10, 10:30 AM–8:30 PM, Madison Square Park, NoMad, NYC

Come spend an hour or spend the day. Family programming kicks off the mornings, followed by mainstage performances at 1:00, 3:00, 5:00, and 7:00 PM.

Why We’re Doing This

The inaugural NoMad Jazz Festival is an only-in-NoMad community event and a milestone. Celebrating The Jazz Gallery’s 30th anniversary and the neighborhood’s storied musical history – from NoMad’s Tin Pan Alley to the birth of the Great American Songbook – the festival honors the district’s past while spotlighting its future. NoMad has long been a home for groundbreaking artists. Now, we’re bringing jazz back to its roots and giving the next generation of talent a platform to shine.

Who’s Behind It?

Four community partners collaborated to make this event possible as only these organizations could:

• The NoMad Alliance, led by Leslie Spira Lopez, President
• The Jazz Gallery, led by Janet Luhrs, Executive Director and Rio Sakairi, Artistic Director
• Flatiron NoMad Partnership, led by James Mettham, President
• Madison Square Park Conservancy, led by Holly Leicht, Executive Director

What to Expect?

• Bring-your-own-blanket picnicking and lounging, lawn games, face painting, and more
• Mobile stage with an advanced sound system
• A fully ADA-accessible, inclusive, family-friendly event
• Pockets of quiet amidst the music (because even jazz lovers need to recharge)
• Zero tickets, zero stress — just show up and soak it in!

Whether you’re a jazz aficionado or a first-timer, come relax, dance, and celebrate the universal language of music.

There’s no place like NoMad.
And there’s nothing like the NoMad Jazz Festival.