Popular Jazz Festival Will Return In West Orange: 2026 Events

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Get ready to bid the summer farewell with a day full of world-class, family friendly jazz in North Jersey.

The 19^th annual OSPAC West Orange Jazz Festival will return from 1 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19. A rain date would take place on Saturday, Sept. 26.

The popular festival will take place at the newly renovated Oskar Schindler Performing Arts Center (OSPAC) at 4 Boland Drive in West Orange. The event will include food vendors, a beer and wine garden for adults 21 and up, and artisan booths.

Learn more or purchase tickets here.

This year’s jam-packed, seven-hour lineup features Dion Parson & 21st Century Band, The Antoinette Montague Experience, The Jaleel Shaw Trio, Joe Locke Songs & Stories/Solo Vibes, The Freddie Hendrix Experience & Fellowship, The Montclair State University Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Jazz Studies Coordinator, Dr. Oscar Perez and NJPAC TD Jazz For Teens under the direction of Mark Gross.

This year’s festival will be hosted by artistic director, Monifa Brown, the longtime radio host of WBGO's “Saturday Evening Jazz” and “Hard Bop Café” programs.

The 2026 festival will honor NEA “Jazz Master” and longtime force behind the public radio station, Dorthaan Kirk, who will receive the inaugural OSPAC Jazz Fest Spirit Award for her “tireless dedication to preserving, presenting and growing America’s national treasure: jazz.”

Last year’s festivities reached a milestone attendance number, attracting 1,000 music lovers from across North Jersey.

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