At the still-in-its-prime age of 34, Jazz in the Park is a stalwart of Milwaukee’s summer music scene, bringing jazz and jazz-adjacent performances to Cathedral Square Park throughout those precious warm-weather weeks.
On Wednesday, the concert series organized by the East Side Association and presented by Johnson Financial Group revealed the eight performances that make up this year’s schedule. It also added a couple new twists, one of which should be familiar to anyone who has taken advantage of the city’s many street festivals over the years.
“Jazz in the Park has been a staple of downtown Milwaukee’s summer scene for more than three decades,” East Town Association executive director Eddie Sturkey said in a release. “This year, we’re introducing a fresh format that blends together a broader mix of music, local talent, and marketplace experiences. We're eager to grow alongside our city while keeping the spirit of community at the heart of everything we do.”
The somewhat-unexpected freshness comes from the expanded selection of genres attendees will find this year — from salsa and soul to pop and brass. More traditional is the event’s addition of a curated marketplace of local vendors, including art, handcrafted goods and small-batch bites (if you’re interested in vending, fill out this form).
The marketplace and happy-hour drink specials both start at 5 p.m., and performances run from 6 to 9 p.m.
Returning this year are the VIP-ish Side Stage Experiences, which for $100 will score you a reserved picnic table in a private area next to the stage, a bottle of wine, a charcuterie board from Lupi & Iris, a selection of desserts and access to a private restroom. You can fit up to six people at the table, and five packages are available for each night of the series. Tickets for the experiences are available here.
While that’s an option, Jazz in the Park remains a free event supported in part by on-site beverage sales. With that in mind, organizers remind attendees to leave the carry-ins at home, especially since they’ll be partnering with local law enforcement to ensure that policy is followed. For those looking to enjoy an adult beverage, a $1 donation will get you the wristband required to make such purchases.
Check out the full Jazz in the Park 2025 lineup below, and get more information on the series at the East Town Association’s website.
Jazz in the Park 2025 lineup
- June 5 — Salsa in the City: Orquesta Ayala Salsa Band with special guest Mezclando
- Dance Company
- June 19 — Smooth Summer Grooves: Christopher’s Project
- July 3 — Stars, Stripes & Strings: Chris Haise Band with special guest Brady Lee
- July 31 — Avant Groove: The Claudettes
- Aug. 14 — Soulful Summer: Respect! A Tribute to The Queen of Soul
- Aug. 28 — Pride in the Park: Betsy Ade & The Well-Known Strangers with special guest Our Voice Milwaukee
- Sept. 11 — Halfway to Mardi Gras: The Hot and Dirty Brass Band
- Sept. 25 — Jazz Goes Dead… Again: Another One
