Twin Cities Jazz Festival
- Dates
- Jun 18 to 19, 2027
- Status
- Confirmed
- Venue
- Mears Park, Lowertown
- Price
- Free
- Camping
- None on site
- Last checked
- Nov 10, 2026
Twin Cities Jazz Festival returns to Mears Park, Lowertown, Saint Paul, MN, Jun 18 to 19, 2027. Froligo tracks free-entry details, attendee feedback and travel details.
The experience
What's special
The Twin Cities Jazz Festival is a free two-day jazz festival in and around Mears Park in the Lowertown neighborhood of downtown Saint Paul, set for June 18 and 19, 2027. It began as a small one-day event in downtown Minneapolis and has grown into what the organizer calls one of the largest free civic jazz festivals in the upper Midwest. Two outdoor stages in Mears Park are joined by more than 18 Saint Paul venues with jazz programmed through the weekend, and the 2026 edition included pre-festival shows and youth performances the night before. It is run by a nonprofit.
How it works
Every performance at every venue and clinic is free and open to all, with no tickets. The festival is a walking event, with most stages and venues within walking distance of Mears Park. Most sets last an hour and headliners play 75 to 90 minutes. The outdoor stages end at 10 p.m. because of a city curfew. Weapons, illegal drugs and outside alcohol are not allowed, and coolers are discouraged.
Who it suits
It suits anyone curious about jazz, since there is no admission charge, and families, with youth performances and masterclasses from local music schools on the program. Walkers will enjoy hopping between stages and clubs in a compact neighborhood. All venues are wheelchair accessible, with wheelchair seating at the front right of the Mears Park main stage, and free bus and light rail passes are offered for each day.
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Listen
No official playlist linked yet. Find Twin Cities Jazz Festival on Spotify.
Lineup
Getting there
Nearest airport MSP.
How do I get to Twin Cities Jazz Festival?
By car
Most people drive to Twin Cities Jazz Festival. The nearest major airport is MSP, 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
Take the Blue Line north from MSP to a downtown Minneapolis stop (e.g. Nicollet Mall or Government Plaza, ~25-30 min), then transfer to the Green Line east to Union Depot Station in St Paul (~25 min further) or Central Station (one block from Mears Park per the festival's own directions page). The festival's own site notes it offers complimentary bus and light-rail passes for festival days, and that Union Depot Station 'is in the center of the Jazz Festival.'
Book / infoFestival shuttle
Third-party shared-ride shuttle companies serve MSP for regional trips; not festival-specific.
Book / infoTaxi & rideshare
St Paul/downtown fare range applies for this venue (Lowertown/Mears Park is within downtown St Paul).
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
No on site parking. Use nearby lots or transit. Prepay via Best Parking or SpotHero. Festival's own 'Getting Here' page lists several nearby paid ramps/lots -- Union Depot (200 E Kellogg Blvd), Lowertown Parking Ramp (316 Jackson St), Cray Plaza Lot (175 E 5th St), Jackson St Ramp (345 Jackson St), all wheelchair-accessible. A genuine, officially-documented parking+shuttle option also exists at Alary's Bar & BBQ (139 E 7th St, not a hotel): with any purchase, patrons get a free shuttle pass down to Mears Park and back after the event, per the festival's own page ('get a free shuttle pass and take the shuttle down to Mear's Park and back to Alary's after the event'). 6th St between Sibley & Wacouta is closed as a performance area during the festival.
🚙 Car hire
Compare car hire at MSP
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
The venue has its own page with capacity, accessibility and parking.
Camping & Accommodation
Where can I stay near Twin Cities Jazz Festival?
No on site camping. Here is where to stay nearby.
Mid-range hotels 4
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesTypically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates472 Jackson Street, Saint Paul, MN 55101
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates175 East 10th Street, Saint Paul, MN 55101
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesTreat yourself 2
Typically $170-300 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates11 Kellogg Boulevard East, Saint Paul, MN 55101
Typically $350-700 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesAirport hotels 2
3800 American Boulevard East, Bloomington, MN 55425
Typically $100-190 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates7800 International Drive, Bloomington, MN 55425
Typically $100-190 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesMore hotels nearby 1
Airbnb & private camping
Downtown St Paul/Lowertown and adjacent Minneapolis neighborhoods (all connected by the Green Line) have a reasonable Airbnb inventory
Search AirbnbNo private-land camping inside downtown St Paul (Mears Park is a small public urban park with no camping). Hipcamp inventory for the area is well outside the Twin Cities metro, a drive-in alternative only, not a walkable substitute for this urban festival.
Search HipcampSearch all hotels near Mears Park, Lowertown
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
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Quick answers
When is Twin Cities Jazz Festival 2027?
Jun 18 to 19, 2027
How much are Twin Cities Jazz Festival tickets?
Entry is free.
Where is Twin Cities Jazz Festival held?
Mears Park, Lowertown, Saint Paul, MN.