Calvin Jones BIG BAND Jazz Festival
- Dates
- Apr 26, 2027
- Status
- Confirmed
- Venue
- University of the District of Columbia Auditorium, Theater of the Arts
- Price
- $10 to $20
- Camping
- None on site
- Last checked
- Nov 2, 2026
Calvin Jones BIG BAND Jazz Festival returns to Washington, DC, Apr 26, 2027. Froligo tracks current ticket prices, attendee feedback and travel details.
The experience
What's special
The Calvin Jones BIG BAND Jazz Festival is a long-running showcase of big band jazz in the nation's capital, presenting the powerhouse university jazz ensembles from three area schools in a single evening concert and celebrating thirty-eight years of world-class jazz.
How it works
The 2027 festival is a single evening concert on Monday, April 26, starting at 8 PM, in the Theater of the Arts at the University of the District of Columbia. Three university big bands share the program: the UDC Jazz Ensemble under Allyn Johnson, the Howard University Jazz Ensemble under Paul Carr and the University of Maryland Jazz Ensemble under Mark Williams. Adult, senior and student tickets are available from the festival's website.
Who it suits
It suits fans of big band and college jazz who want one compact evening in a university auditorium rather than a multi-day festival. The concert has been produced by UDC's Jazz Studies Program and the Felix E. Grant Jazz Archives since 1987, and area audiences have supported it ever since.
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Listen
No official playlist linked yet. Find Calvin Jones BIG BAND Jazz Festival on Spotify.
Lineup
Here's who played in 2026:
Getting there
How do I get to Calvin Jones BIG BAND Jazz Festival?
The concert is on the University of the District of Columbia's Van Ness campus at 4200 Connecticut Avenue NW, which is served by the Van Ness-UDC station on the Metrorail Red Line and by the H2 and D70 bus routes. Drivers use the campus garage, entered from Van Ness Street only, and pay at a pay station on the way out, with one on the B level near the Auditorium. Check out each of the options below.
Nearest airport DCA.
By car
The nearest major airport is DCA, and from there it is a straightforward drive to the venue. Check current road and traffic conditions before you set off, and see parking below.
By train
No direct passenger rail to the venue was found. Drive, fly in, or use a shuttle instead.
By bus & public transit
The venue-specific last-mile leg: the UDC Van Ness campus sits directly on the Red Line at the Van Ness-UDC station (4200 Connecticut Ave NW), which is effectively the venue's own metro stop, from DCA, take Blue/Yellow to Metro Center or Gallery Place and transfer to the Red Line toward Shady Grove/Glenmont, alighting at Van Ness-UDC. This is about as direct as a DC transit connection gets for an out-of-downtown venue.
Book / infoTaxi & rideshare
Taxis and rideshare such as Uber and Lyft can be limited near the venue, especially late at night or in rural areas. Agree a pickup point and time in advance and keep a backup plan.
Affiliate Flying in? You can book an airport transfer from DCA in advance rather than joining the taxi queue on arrival. Transfer links may earn Froligo a commission; they never change the price you pay.
🅿 Parking
Cost Guest/visitor rates at the Van Ness campus garage: free for 0-30 min, $5.00 for 30 min-1 hr, $8.00 for 1-3 hrs, $12.00 for 3-6 hrs, $20.00 for 6-24 hrs (regular/non-student rate). Confirmed directly on UDC's own official parking pages. Entry to the Van Ness Parking Garage is from Van Ness Street ONLY; visitors take a ticket at entry and pay at automated pay stations (Plaza Deck Elevator Lobby or B-level garage near the Auditorium, the same building as the festival venue) by credit/debit card or cash on exit. No online prepay platform exists for daily visitor parking, it's pay-on-exit at the garage itself, not a ParkMobile/SpotHero-style advance-purchase system.
🚙 Car hire
Compare car hire at DCA
If you are hiring a car, it is worth checking parking near the venue before you go.
Search car hireCar hire links may earn Froligo a commission; they never change the price you pay.
Where
Map shows the center of Washington. The venue's exact point is not confirmed yet.
Venue
University of the District of Columbia Auditorium, Theater of the Arts
Camping & Accommodation
Where do most people stay?
This is a one-night Monday concert that area audiences have supported since 1987, so much of the crowd lives in the Washington area and goes home afterward. Visitors from out of town can stay anywhere convenient along the Red Line and ride to Van Ness-UDC, which keeps the trip to the campus simple after an 8 PM start. Check out each of the options below.
Where can I stay near Calvin Jones BIG BAND Jazz Festival?
Budget stays 1
Typically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesTreat yourself 1
Typically $170-300 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesAirport hotels 2
2799 Richmond Highway, Arlington, VA 22202
Typically $100-190 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates2800 Potomac Avenue, Arlington, VA 22202
Typically $100-190 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesMore hotels nearby 1
Airbnb & private camping
Washington DC has an active short-term-rental market citywide, including listings in the Van Ness/Cleveland Park/Forest Hills area near UDC. This is a small, free-adjacent-priced ($10-20 tickets), one-evening academic jazz event. General DC seasonal demand would apply instead.
Search AirbnbNo practical Hipcamp/private-land camping option applies to this event, it's a downtown Washington, DC campus auditorium venue, not a rural/regional setting, and camping is not a relevant lodging category here. Nearest Hipcamp-listed sites would be well outside the DC area (rural Maryland/Virginia); not evaluated further given the mismatch between event type and this lodging tier.
Search HipcampSearch all hotels near University of the District of Columbia…
Hotel links may earn Froligo a commission; they never change the price you pay.
Accessibility & comfort
The organizer does not publish accessibility details. Ask them directly before you travel about step-free access, accessible toilets, seating and anything else you need.
Pricing
Price history and tiers
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Quick answers
When is Calvin Jones BIG BAND Jazz Festival 2027?
Apr 26, 2027
How much are Calvin Jones BIG BAND Jazz Festival tickets?
$10 to $20 per person were the 2026 edition's prices. 2027 tickets are not on sale yet; prices will be confirmed when they go on sale.
Where is Calvin Jones BIG BAND Jazz Festival held?
University of the District of Columbia Auditorium, Theater of the Arts, Washington, DC.