Denton Arts and Jazz Festival
- Dates
- Expected September 2027
- Status
- Expected
- Venue
- Quakertown Park
- Price
- Free
- Camping
- None on site
- Last checked
- Oct 19, 2026
The last Denton Arts and Jazz Festival was September 11 to 13, 2026, in Denton, TX. Its 2027 dates haven't been announced yet. Froligo tracks free-entry details, attendee feedback and travel details.
The experience
What's special
The Denton Arts and Jazz Festival is a North Texas jazz and arts event that describes itself as founded on the belief that all forms of art should be available to the general public free of charge, and it has grown into one of the largest tourist attractions in North Texas. It is held at the North Texas Fairgrounds, 2217 North Carroll Blvd, and the 2026 edition ran from 11 to 13 September. Music runs across five outdoor stages with jazz, blues and cross-cultural music, alongside artisan vendors, food courts and games.
How it works
The 2026 festival ran Friday 11 September from 3pm to 11pm, Saturday 12 September from 10am to 11pm and Sunday 13 September from 11am to 9pm. The five stages are the Jazz Stage, Courtyard Stage, River Stage, UNT Showcase Stage and Festival Stage, and the festival site offered ticket purchases for Friday and Saturday. Coolers and pets are not allowed, and only service dogs are permitted.
Who it suits
The festival is described as a weekend of enjoyment for the whole family, with activities for children to participate in and games and activities for the young and young at heart. Visitors can also buy art from artists and crafters.
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Listen
Tap an artist to play them right here.
No official playlist linked yet. Find Denton Arts and Jazz Festival on Spotify.
Lineup
Here's who played in 2025:
Getting there
Nearest airport DFW.
How do I get to Denton Arts and Jazz Festival?
By car
Most people drive to Denton Arts and Jazz Festival. The nearest major airport is DFW, 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
Intercity coaches serve Denton directly at the University of North Texas stop (Lot 20, 502 N Texas Blvd), about 1.5 mi southwest of Quakertown Park, a short rideshare or local DCTA GoZone/bus hop to the park area. Routes connect Denton with Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio and ~15 other cities, so this is a budget option for regional travelers rather than a DFW Airport transfer (no direct DFW-to-Denton coach).
Book / infoAn all-rail route now exists from inside DFW Airport: board the DART Silver Line at DFW Airport Terminal B Station, ride to Downtown Carrollton Station, transfer to the DART Green Line one stop north to Trinity Mills Station, then transfer to the DCTA A-train to Downtown Denton Transit Center (DDTC, 604 E Hickory St). This exact routing is the one DCTA itself documents on its Transit Connections page. From DDTC it is roughly a 10-15 min walk north to Quakertown Park. One Regional Day Pass ($9, GoPass app or station ticket vending machines) covers all three systems. CAVEATS: the A-train runs Monday-Saturday only, there is NO Sunday A-train service, so this route does not work for the Sunday festival day (Sept 13), and Saturday A-train headways are hourly. DCTA also historically runs a free festival shuttle from MedPark Station (south) and the Presbyterian Hospital area (north) to the festival grounds, confirm it is operating for the 2026 edition on dentonjazzfest.com before relying on it.
Book / infoTaxi & rideshare
The most practical door-to-door option: DFW to Denton is ~26-28 miles up I-35E. Both Uber and Lyft operate at DFW, follow airport signage to the designated app-ride pickup zones at the terminals, and both cover Denton itself, so return trips are straightforward. Taxis are also available at DFW terminal curbs. Downtown Denton street closures around the park may shift pickup a block or two on festival days.
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.
🅿 Parking
No on site parking. Use nearby lots or transit. Quakertown Park is an urban city park with no dedicated festival lot and no prepay platform. Attendees park free in city-owned lots and on downtown streets, but with 200k+ attendance over the weekend, close-in parking is genuinely tight, local press has covered the festival's 'longstanding parking woes', and the city opened the 86-space City Hall West lot specifically to add festival capacity. The festival's recommended alternative is DCTA's free festival shuttle (pickups at MedPark Station on the south side and the Presbyterian Hospital area on the north side, running to the festival grounds); parking at DCTA stations is free. Shuttle wording on the official site still references a prior edition, confirm 2026 shuttle operation and pickup points closer to the September dates.
🚙 Car hire
Compare car hire at DFW
There is no on site parking at the venue, so if you are hiring a car it is worth sorting nearby parking or a park and ride before you go.
Search car hireCar hire links may earn Froligo a commission; they never change the price you pay.
Where
Venue
Quakertown Park
Camping & Accommodation
Where can I stay near Denton Arts and Jazz Festival?
No on site camping. Here is where to stay nearby.
Budget stays 6
Typically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesTypically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesTypically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates1111 West University Drive, Denton, TX 76201
Typically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates700 Fort Worth Drive, Denton, TX 76201
Typically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates1500 Dallas Drive, Denton, TX 76205
Typically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesMid-range hotels 6
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates601 North Interstate 35E, Denton, TX 76205
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates820 South Interstate 35E, Denton, TX 76205
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates1434 Centre Place Drive, Denton, TX 76205
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates620 South Interstate 35E, Denton, TX 76205
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates2204 San Jacinto Boulevard, Denton, TX 76205
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesMore hotels nearby 2
Shuttle The hotel's own marketing (Hilton listing and its hotel-authored Cvent venue page) documents a complimentary local shuttle: 'The hotel shuttle offers complimentary transportation to and from the downtown area.' The hotel is at 3100 Town Center Trail (Rayzor Ranch district), ~3-4 mi from Quakertown Park, which sits on the north edge of downtown. This is a general downtown shuttle, not a festival-specific service, confirm festival-weekend hours and drop point with the hotel when booking.
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Link coming soonAirbnb & private camping
Denton is a two-university college town (UNT + TWU) with real but modest Airbnb inventory in the neighborhoods around downtown and the square, much of it walkable to Quakertown Park. Expect the tightest availability when the festival weekend collides with UNT home-football or university-calendar weekends in September
Search AirbnbNo camping at the urban venue, but Denton County has genuine Hipcamp inventory: private-land tent sites, RV spots and glamping around Lake Ray Roberts and Lake Lewisville, typically 15-40 min drive from downtown Denton. A workable budget/outdoorsy alternative to a hotel for attendees with a car; not a walkable substitute. Link points to the Denton-area Hipcamp directory (URL verified live).
Search HipcampSearch all hotels near Quakertown Park
Hotel links may earn Froligo a commission; they never change the price you pay.
Accessibility & comfort
What the organizer or venue publishes about getting around, and what they do not.
The event information page lists the North Texas Fairgrounds facility as accessible to disabled visitors, across 33 acres with five outdoor stages. The site also describes a free DCTA shuttle running every 30 minutes that picks up at Med-Park Station and Presbyterian Hospital and drops at Quakertown Park, though as checked that shuttle listing still carried 2024 April dates so confirm it for September 2026.
Nothing is published about ground surface, accessible parking, toilets, viewing platforms, companion tickets or whether the shuttle itself is accessible.
Confirm your specific needs with the organizer's access team before you travel.
Checked 2026-09-03 · source
Pricing
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Quick answers
When is Denton Arts and Jazz Festival 2027?
Not announced yet. The last festival was September 11 to 13, 2026. The next one is expected in September.
How much are Denton Arts and Jazz Festival tickets?
Entry is free.
Where is Denton Arts and Jazz Festival held?
Quakertown Park, Denton, TX.