Reno Jazz Festival
- Dates
- Apr 29 to May 1, 2027
- Status
- Confirmed
- Venue
- University of Nevada, Reno - School of the Arts
- Price
- Not announced
- Camping
- None on site
- Last checked
- Nov 10, 2026
Reno Jazz Festival returns to Reno, NV, Apr 29 to May 1, 2027. Froligo tracks ticket prices, attendee feedback and travel details.
The experience
What's special
The Reno Jazz Festival is a three-day school jazz festival run with the School of Music at the University of Nevada, Reno, set for April 29 to May 1, 2027. For over 60 years it has brought together students, educators and jazz lovers for performance reviews, clinics, daytime concerts and evening jam sessions. The 2027 headliners are trombonist Nick Finzer with the Manzanita Quintet on Thursday and saxophonist Walter Smith III on Friday, both at 7:30 pm in Nightingale Concert Hall, followed by a Saturday closing concert and awards at 4 pm.
How it works
Student ensembles perform for visiting artist educators in 50-minute slots: 20 minutes of playing and 30 of on-the-spot review. Daytime clinics and performances run on Friday and Saturday. The Thursday Student Jam and the Friday evening professional jam are free to the public. Single tickets for the evening concerts go on sale in spring 2027, and the box office at the Church Fine Arts Building opens from 6:30 pm on Thursday. All ticket sales are final.
Who it suits
It is built mainly for student ensembles and their directors, who register as groups for reviews, clinics and jam sessions. Jazz fans and local families can also come for the headline concerts, the daytime performances and the free jam sessions. Because the daytime program is shaped around student performances and teaching, it suits listeners who enjoy seeing young players coached live.
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Listen
No official playlist linked yet. Find Reno Jazz Festival on Spotify.
Lineup
Getting there
Nearest airport RNO.
How do I get to Reno Jazz Festival?
By car
Most people drive to Reno Jazz Festival. The nearest major airport is RNO, 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
Downtown Reno's Amtrak station is walkable to campus for travelers already on the Chicago-Emeryville/San Francisco corridor; not a practical direct airport connector, still requires a taxi/rideshare/bus leg from RNO.
Book / infoBy bus & public transit
RTC Route 12 runs from a stop near the airport (Terminal Way & Villanova Drive) to Downtown 4th Street Station 7 days a week; from downtown, campus is roughly another RTC bus hop or a ~20-minute walk north up Virginia Street to the UNR School of the Arts venues (Church Fine Arts, University Foundation Arts, Jot Travis buildings).
Book / infoTaxi & rideshare
Rideshare/taxi pickup at RNO is in a designated ground-transportation loop outside baggage claim Door D; a direct ride to the UNR campus/School of the Arts is the most straightforward option for out-of-town festival attendees given the short distance.
Book / infoTaxis 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
Cost Complimentary general parking on Level 4 of the Brian J. Whalen Complex (Level 2 if an athletic event overlaps) is offered 30 minutes before showtime or after 7pm for performing-arts events; general hourly visitor parking otherwise runs $2/hour via meter, permit dispenser, or the PayByPhone app.
🚙 Car hire
Compare car hire at RNO
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 Reno. The venue's exact point is not confirmed yet.
Venue
The venue has its own page with capacity, accessibility and parking.
Camping & Accommodation
Where can I stay near Reno Jazz Festival?
No on site camping. Here is where to stay nearby.
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 3
2015 Terminal Way, Reno, NV 89502
Typically $100-190 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates1790 East Plumb Lane, Reno, NV 89502
Typically $100-190 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates1981 Terminal Way, Reno, NV 89502
Typically $100-190 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesMore hotels nearby 2
Airbnb & private camping
Reno's Airbnb market averages roughly $172-235/night depending on tier (median ~$172, top-quartile $267+). Reno Jazz Festival's late-April/early-May dates fall outside Reno's heaviest ski-season and major-event windows, so a big price jump is less likely.
Search AirbnbHipcamp lists numerous campgrounds, RV parks and cabins within the Reno-Tahoe region (Lake Tahoe is ~40 miles away), averaging around $47/night, a plausible weekend base for attendees wanting to combine the festival with a Tahoe camping trip, though not a walkable substitute for on-campus lodging.
Search HipcampSearch all hotels near University of Nevada, Reno - School of…
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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
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Quick answers
When is Reno Jazz Festival 2027?
Apr 29 to May 1, 2027
Where is Reno Jazz Festival held?
University of Nevada, Reno, School of the Arts, Reno, NV.