Dance, Listen, and Soak It All In at the Rosslyn Jazz

Now in its 33rd year, the Rosslyn Jazz Fest takes place each September at Gateway Park at 1300 Langston Boulevard, running from 1 to 7 p.m. as a free event presented by the Rosslyn Business Improvement District in partnership with Arlington Arts. The festival has built a well-deserved reputation as one of the most thoughtfully curated outdoor music events in the entire region — not just another summer concert series, but a genuine celebration of jazz, funk, soul, and global music traditions that draws serious music fans alongside families spreading blankets across the lawn. The 2025 lineup featured Grammy-nominated Southern Avenue headlining, alongside the New Breed Brass Band, Son Cubano Subterraneo, and the Sensational Barnes Brothers — a slate that spans Memphis blues to New Orleans second-line to Cuban son, all in one afternoon.

Food trucks, beer and wine bars, yard games, and the spectacular backdrop of the Rosslyn skyline round out the experience. The festival is easily reached via the Rosslyn Metro stop just five minutes from Gateway Park, and Capital Bikeshare docks are nearby for those arriving by bike via the Custis or Mount Vernon Trails. Free admission, though tickets are required due to limited space — registration typically opens August 1 and goes fast. Visit the Rosslyn Events page and search for Jazz Fest to see more information about this year’s event.