Indy Jazz Fest returns with a bigger Broad Ripple finale
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The legendary Sheila E. is one of the stars headlining the 2026 Indy Jazz Fest. Photo: Monica Morgan/Getty Images
For nearly three decades, the Indy Jazz Fest has worked to keep the Circle City's deep jazz history connected to its modern music scene.
The big picture: The five days of jazz, funk and soul going down next week provide a vital cultural platform that unites local music education and live performance in Indianapolis year-round.
Flashback: The first Indy Jazz Fest was held in June 1999 after Indianapolis businesses and civic leaders backed a citywide event designed to spotlight the city's jazz heritage. Early festivals drew artists like B.B. King, Chaka Khan and Ray Charles.
- The city's jazz roots run deep, from Wes Montgomery and J.J. Johnson to Slide Hampton and Freddie Hubbard.
- The Indianapolis Jazz Foundation, founded in 1996, says its programs now reach more than 24,000 people through performances, education and community partnerships.
The latest: This year's mashup of international stars and homegrown musical heavyweights returns to its "All Around Town" model in 2026.
- The fest's intimate Sunset Series will bring performances to venues like The Jazz Kitchen, The Cabaret and The Vogue before the Grand Finale moves to the Indy Art Center and Opti Park in Broad Ripple.
- It opens with "Miles at 100" and "Coltrane at 100," two Indianapolis Jazz Collective performances celebrating the centennials of Miles Davis and John Coltrane.
Zoom in: Sheila E., MonoNeon, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe and Rick Braun headline the Sept. 26 finale, alongside Indianapolis artists like Brandon Meeks and Bashiri Asad.
- Indy sax icon Rob Dixon will also team up with Dave Stryker, Sam Fribush, Richard Floyd and special guest Jeff Coffin.
- The expanded final show features two outdoor stages, food trucks and Indy jazz legacy exhibits at the Indy Art Center and Opti Park.
If you go: Here is the full Indy Jazz Fest 2026 lineup with links to tickets for each show. Tickets range from $15 to $73.
- Miles at 100 presented by the Indianapolis Jazz Collective at Jazz Kitchen, 6pm and 8:30pm Tuesday.
- Coltrane at 100 presented by the Indianapolis Jazz Collective at Jazz Kitchen, 6pm and 8:30pm Wednesday.
- Tito Puente Jr. and Néstor Torres at Jazz Kitchen, 7pm and 9:30pm Sept. 25.
- Nate Smith, Break Science and The Nth Power at The Vogue, 7pm Sept. 25.
- Nicole Zuraitis at The Cabaret, 8pm Sept. 25.
- Indy Jazz Fest Grand Finale at Indy Art Center and Opti Park, 1pm Sept. 26.
- Indy Jazz Fest Afterset at Turntable, 10:30pm Sept. 26.