**This Post was originally written in 2016 but has been updated September 20th, 2018 to reflect current event information**
You may have noticed a recurring theme these past few weeks in our blog posts: events, events, events. That’s because the fall season on the Gulf Coast of Florida is jam-packed with things to do, local festivals and area events along with all of the usual Gulf Coast attractions you know and love. It’s a great time of year to be here!
Be sure to catch up on all of this season’s hottest Florida events here.
This week, we’re turning our focus toward the cool jazz and epic performances showcased during the annual Clearwater Jazz Holiday slated for Thursday, October. 18 through Sunday, October 21, 2018. Held every third week in October, this is a music lover’s favorite with four full days and nights of live music and jazz. The kick-off party starts Wednesday evening on the streets of Downtown Clearwater, and it’s all fun all the time from there.
The music festival has evolved from a series of concerts on the back of a flatbed truck and at venues around Clearwater into an annual, international, music festival that draws tens of thousands of visitors each year to beautiful Coachman Park in Clearwater, against the backdrop of the Gulf of Mexico, warm breezes, brilliant sunsets, and one of the world’s greatest beaches.
So, what do you need to know to have the most fun at the Clearwater Jazz Holiday? We have some helpful tips for you! Read on and get ready to experience the best jazz festival ever.
Bring your friends to the Jazz Holiday.
This is a group affair! Bring your best friends for a fabulous four days of hot beats and cool tunes by legendary performers. It’s the perfect excuse for a night out (or two, or four). Make memories to last a lifetime as you experience this year’s Clearwater Jazz Holiday together.
The Commodores, Kool and the Gang, Darryl Hall and Grace Potter are just a few of this year’s big-name performers. Don’t forget about the kick-off party downtown, the fireworks, the food and the after-parties too. Don’t worry, it’s a family-friendly event as well, and the best part is that kids ages 12 and under are admitted free-of-charge when accompanied by an adult with paid admission.
Choose your Clearwater Jazz Holiday tickets wisely.
There are more than a few ticket options for the Clearwater Jazz Holiday. Your best bet is to peruse the Daily Schedule for each of the four days and decide which days you want to be there. Then you can choose your best ticketing option.
General Admission/Lawn Seating tickets are best bought in advance to get the discounted price. There are VIP ticketing options also along with the choice of daily, weekend or 4-day Clearwater Jazz Festival tickets. All prices increase the day of the show, so it’s wise to buy them ahead of time. Your wallet will thank you!
Check out your Clearwater Jazz Festival ticket options here and buy them right now online if you so choose.
Come to the festival hungry.
We mentioned the food earlier in this post but let’s take pause to really talk about the food, shall we? There’s a little bit of everything to please your palate from some of the area’s best restaurants, vendors and food trucks. One of the highlights of any festival is the food, right? Yes!
Have a taste of Thai food, enjoy your favorite festival-style fare like kettle corn, Hawaiian shaved ice and pizza, or get your Mexican food fix with empanadas, tacos and more. See who’s going to be serving up the good grub right here on the Clearwater Jazz Festival food vendor list.
Know the Do’s & Don’ts of the event.
As with any festival, it’s best to be aware of what you can and cannot bring, along with the regularly asked FAQs so you aren’t caught off-guard.
Because General Admission offers lawn seating, you’ll want to bring blankets or lawn chairs. Leave your pets at home for this event, since it is not pet-friendly and tends to be really crowded. Because there’s plenty of food to choose from on-site during the festival, coolers or outside food and drinks are not permitted. You can read up on all of the Clearwater Jazz Festival Do’s and Don’ts here.
We hope you’ve found these Jazz Holiday tips helpful! We know you’ll have the most fun at this locally loved event and there’s no doubt it will be music to your ears. Enjoy the jazz festival!
Which days are you planning to attend the 2016 Clearwater Jazz Holiday? One day? All weekend? Or the whole four-day festival?
