Jazz is taking center stage in the heart of Manhattan this summer with the inaugural NoMad Jazz Festival, culminating in a free two-day celebration in Madison Square Park on August 9–10, 2025. Produced by The NoMad Alliance, in partnership with The Jazz Gallery (celebrating its 30th anniversary), Flatiron NoMad Partnership, and Madison Square Park Conservancy, this dynamic event showcases world-class jazz, interactive family programming, and community activations throughout the Flatiron and NoMad districts.
“The NoMad Jazz Festival is such a special way to bring our community together and celebrate everything that makes this neighborhood so unique and dynamic. Over the years, I’ve seen NoMad grow and evolve into a district that inspires and has become a destination for all. This festival has come together thanks to the strong collaboration with our partners at The Jazz Gallery, the Flatiron NoMad Partnership, and the Madison Square Park Conservancy. The energy and enthusiasm from everyone have been so inspiring – I know the impact on the community will be felt well beyond this amazing week in August.”– Leslie Spira Lopez, Founder and President, The NoMad Alliance
Mainstage Highlights
The Festival’s Mainstage lineup across the two-day event, curated by The Jazz Gallery’s Artistic Director Rio Sakairi, now features newly added The Brandee Younger Trio, alongside headliners Lizz Wright and Ravi Coltrane presenting Translinear Light: The Music of Alice Coltrane, plus powerhouse sets from the Roy Hargrove Big Band, Michael Mayo, Arta Jēkabsone, Caracas Trio + Melissa Almaguer, and Dabin Ryu Trio. Emcee duties will be led by the incomparable Lezlie Harrison of WBGO and co-founder of The Jazz Gallery.
“It’s been one of my dreams to start a free outdoor jazz festival in the neighborhood so that we can share the joy and love we experience at The Jazz Gallery. It’s too good to keep it to only those in the know! I’m excited to present the artists, who have cut and sharpened their teeth on our stage, for this inaugural festival. My hope is that everyone who attends the festival will find something they like and find their own doors into Jazz.” – Rio Sakairi, Artistic Director of The Jazz Gallery and Curator of NoMad Jazz Festival.
Family Fun & Interactive Activities
Families can expect a full weekend of hands-on fun, including face painting and morning programs. On August 9th, the KongoNola Project led by Goussy Célestin’s Ayiti Brass will delight young audiences with an immersive blend of jazz, Haitian Rara rhythms, dance, and an instrument-making workshop. Plus, guests of all ages can participate in Asase Yaa Dance Theater Ensemble’s interactive performances throughout the day celebrating African diasporic traditions through tap, gospel, and Afro-house. On August 10th, families can enjoy the music of two-time Grammy Award winner Lucy Kalantari & the Jazz Cats, along with interactive try-it stations hosted by ABCirque, inviting children to explore the magic of circus arts and props.
“We look forward to welcoming our communities to the park for a weekend of free jazz. And with family-friendly activities, the festival promises to introduce jazz to a new generation of future music-lovers.” – Holly Leicht, Executive Director of Madison Square Park Conservancy.
General Admission
The NoMad Jazz Festival is free for all to attend; no tickets or advance RSVP are required. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs to claim their spot in Madison Square Park. With staggered performance times throughout both days, guests can stop by for a quick set or enjoy a full day of live music al fresco.
VIP Passes
VIP Passes are now on sale from $150 – $300, with early-bird discount pricing until July 8th, offering reserved seating adjacent to the stage, exclusive backstage access and experiences, and swag that’ll make attendees feel like jazz royalty. All proceeds directly support the festival, helping The NoMad Alliance and its partners keep the music free and accessible for all. Purchase single-day or weekend passes on the NoMad Jazz Festival website here.
Festival Week Activations
The NoMad Jazz Festival kicks off with a weeklong celebration, turning the Flatiron and NoMad districts into NYC’s ultimate summer jazz destination. From August 3–8, the streets come alive with free music around every corner—featuring pop-up performances on the Flatiron North Plaza, the NoMad Piazza, and at neighborhood spots both familiar and surprising. Many programs are produced with support from the Flatiron NoMad Partnership and generous community sponsors.
Launching the excitement on Sunday, August 3, the Flatiron NoMad Partnership will transport the neighborhood back in time with Gilded Gatsby on the Flatiron North Plaza. Free for all to attend, guests are encouraged to dress in period attire to enjoy live jazz performances from Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra, alongside dance lessons and performances in the Charleston style, live en plein air painting sessions and a Tintype photo booth station, hosted by local nonprofit Penumbra Foundation.
A Festival Week highlight not to be missed is Marcus Garrick Miller: Beauty and Logic on August 4 at 7:00 PM at The Jazz Gallery. An accomplished saxophonist with a deep love for mathematics, Marcus Garrick Miller brings both passions to the stage. Through his original compositions and witty dialogue, he aims to delight audiences by elucidating the beauty of mathematics and exploring the possibilities in music guided by a mathematical imagination. Performances presented by The Jazz Gallery are part of their annual SummerPass Series, where guests can purchase access to unlimited shows through July and August for only $75. Stay tuned to The Jazz Gallery website for a complete schedule of performances and more details on SummerPass Series.
The Festival Week programs don’t stop there. During Festival Week the Flatiron NoMad Partnership will continue to activate its public spaces, local businesses and retail locations including Gregory’s Coffee, Whole Foods Market, Brass, Aqua, Natuzzi Italia, Noir et Blanc, Arlo NoMad, Sunday’s Studio, Blue Dot, Poster House and BLACKBARN with free pop-up jazz performances through August 8. Please see below for a full schedule. Participating businesses are subject to change.
Community sponsors welcome Festival Week patrons to step inside beloved local venues like The Seville, Scarpetta, Rizzoli, and Barlume for intimate live sets and special jazz nights throughout Festival Week.
See below for the complete Festival Week lineup of events or visit the NoMad Jazz Festival website.
Endless Summer and All That Jazz
Leading up to and during the NoMad Jazz Festival, visitors and concert goers in Flatiron and NoMad can take advantage of district-wide promotions from August 1 to September 30 through the Endless Summer and All That Jazz program. The curated list of local deals and discounts from previous years includes over 50 retailers, restaurants, and hotels. Please visit the Flatiron NoMad Partnership website to learn more.
“Our team at the Flatiron NoMad Partnership is proud to be a part of launching a new tradition that brings world-class performances, family programming and community events into the heart of our vibrant neighborhood. The districts have long been the home to musicians and creatives, dating back to the origin of Tin Pan Alley, and this legacy of artistic expression continues today through curated public programming and local partnerships in our neighborhood throughout the year. The NoMad Jazz Festival reflects all of the things that make Flatiron and NoMad a premier cultural destination of New York City.” – James Mettham, Flatiron NoMad Partnership President.
Sponsorship & More Info
The NoMad Jazz Festival is made possible by the generous support of sponsors The NoMad Alliance, Simons Foundation, Howard Gilman Foundation, WBGO, Flatiron NoMad Partnership, Kew Management, and Spira Lopez Legacy Foundation, and a community of sponsors La Dolce Vita, Barlume, Scarpetta, The Seville, Apotheke NoMad, The New York EDITION, A&J Custom Framing, BLACKBARN, The Evelyn Hotel, BRASS NY, Impact Kitchen, La Pecora Bianca, Marks Off Madison, MoMath, Shake Shack, and Rizzoli Bookstore. Sponsorship opportunities are still available.
Festival Week
Full Festival Program
For more information and images contact:
Mark Ginsberg
The NoMad Alliance
info@nomadjazzfestival.com