The Jazz & Rib Fest brings Columbus together every summer to celebrate two things: music and barbecue. It’s free, it’s on the Scioto Mile, and in 2026 it runs Friday, July 24 through Sunday, July 26.

In this guide

When & Where
The Music
The Ribs
Getting There & Parking
Know Before You Go
Weather
Jazz & Rib Fest FAQ
More Columbus Summer Fun:

Crowded outdoor festival street with food vendor booths and downtown skyline on a sunny day — via Jazz & Rib Fest Facebook

The fest dates back to 1979, when it launched as Music in the Air, a series presenting jazz through music, film, and visual arts at parks around the city. In the 1980s it grew into live performances along the riverfront with local and national acts. In the ’90s, organizers added ribs to the mix, and the Jazz & Rib Fest as we know it was born. It’s been pleasing the ears and the bellies of Columbus ever since.

Presented by the Columbus Recreation & Parks Department, the fest draws north of 200,000 people to the Scioto Mile over the weekend. Here’s how to do it right.

When & Where

Jazz & Rib Fest takes over West Bank Park and Bicentennial Park, along the downtown riverfront on the Scioto Mile (Bicentennial Park is at 233 S. Civic Center Dr.). Admission is free.

2026 hours:

Friday, July 24: 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
Saturday, July 25: 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
Sunday, July 26: 11 a.m.–8 p.m.

Want to see the layout before you go? The festival posts an interactive site map with every stage, BBQ row, and food vendor marked.

The Music

The whole point is three days of jazz, soul, and brass across three stages: the West Bank Park Stage, the Bicentennial Park Stage, and the Main Street Stage, which leans hard into New Orleans-style brass bands this year. The full set-by-set schedule lives on the official lineup page, but here are the sets I’d build my weekend around:

Jonathan Butler: Friday, 8 p.m., West Bank Park Stage. The South African guitarist and singer is the Friday-night draw.
Keiko Matsui: Friday, 5:30 p.m., West Bank Park Stage. Contemporary-jazz pianist, 25-plus years of records, a gorgeous early-evening set.
Columbus Jazz Orchestra with Byron Stripling: Friday, 8 p.m., Bicentennial Park Stage. Our hometown big band led by one of the most charismatic trumpeters working. If you’re local, this is the set.
Jeffrey Osborne: Saturday, 8 p.m., West Bank Park Stage. The “On the Wings of Love” R&B legend closes out Saturday night.
Huntertones: Saturday, 5:30 p.m., West Bank Park Stage. A horn-driven, genre-bending band with Columbus roots and a big live reputation.

Also worth catching: PJ Morton (six-time Grammy winner and Maroon 5’s longtime keyboardist), a Nancy Wilson tribute on the Bicentennial stage, and Cincinnati’s Mike Wade & The Nasty NATI Brass Band over on Main Street. Check the lineup for exact set times before you head down.

The Ribs

But you’re not here just for the jazz. Award-winning rib burners from around the U.S. and Canada haul their smokers to the riverfront, and if you’re doing it right you’ll be wearing some BBQ sauce by the end of the night. Come hungry but remember: it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Want to plan your eating in advance? Here’s our guide to the best BBQ in Columbus.

Getting There & Parking

Getting downtown is one thing; parking downtown during a 200,000-person festival is another. The easy move is to skip the car altogether. COTA buses run right into downtown. Download the Transit app to track arrivals on your route. A CoGo bike or a rideshare drop-off near the Scioto Mile also beats circling for a spot.

If you are driving, the festival’s directions & parking page maps the garages and lots closest to both parks. Read it before you leave the house.

Know Before You Go

A few things that’ll save you a headache at the gate:

Bring chairs and blankets. Both are welcome, so grab a patch of grass in front of your stage.
Coolers are allowed, but no carry-in alcohol and no glass. Label yours with your name and cell number, and know that beer and cocktails are for sale on-site.
The beverage booths are cashless. Cards and mobile pay only for drinks; BBQ vendors set their own payment rules, so carry a little cash as backup.
Leave the tent at home. Pop-up tents, oversized umbrellas, and staking are prohibited. Handheld umbrellas are fine.
Pets are permitted but must be leashed. Honestly, a hot riverfront and 200,000 strangers is a lot for a dog, and the fest recommends leaving them home. So do I.

Weather

It’s late July in Columbus, so plan for heat: highs in the 80s, real humidity, and the usual chance of an afternoon thunderstorm rolling through. Bring water and sunscreen, and plan for shade. Check the downtown forecast the morning you go. The music plays rain or shine.

Jazz & Rib Fest FAQ

Is the Columbus Jazz & Rib Fest free?

Yes. Admission is free and you don’t need tickets for any of the performances. You’ll only spend money on food, drinks, and parking.

When is the 2026 Jazz & Rib Fest?

Friday, July 24 through Sunday, July 26, 2026, on the downtown riverfront. Hours are 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Sunday.

Where do you park for Jazz & Rib Fest?

Downtown garages and lots near the Scioto Mile are your best bet, and the festival’s parking page maps them out. Better yet, take a COTA bus, bike, or rideshare and skip the hunt entirely.

What time do the headliners play?

The big evening sets on the West Bank Park Stage generally run around 8 p.m. In 2026 that’s Jonathan Butler on Friday and Jeffrey Osborne on Saturday. Check the official lineup for exact set times, since they can shift.

Can I bring a cooler and a chair?

Yes to both. Just no alcohol or glass in the cooler, and label it with your name and number.

For everything else (full lineup, food vendors, and the interactive map), visit hotribscooljazz.org. Get out there and enjoy the Jazz & Rib Fest, Columbus!