The 2026 schedule is live — Kim Nalley closes Saturday, Lavay Smith anchors Sunday, and Minnie Bell's is on the pour. Here's how to plan your day across five stages.

The 2026 Fillmore Jazz Festival schedule is now posted at fillmorejazzfest.com, and with July 4–5 just over a week out, here's how to actually use it.

The festival runs Saturday and Sunday, July 4–5, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. both days, free admission, across 12 blocks of Fillmore Street (Jackson to Eddy). Five stages: California Stage, Sutter Stage, Eddy Stage, and two indoor church venues — Jones Memorial United Methodist and Calvary Presbyterian.

Saturday, July 4: Rob Dehlinger and His Alpha Rhythm Kings open the Calvary Venue at 1 p.m. — good jump blues, smaller crowd while the outdoor stages are still warming up. The afternoon stacks up late: Roger Glenn Latin Jazz Ensemble hits the Sutter Stage at 4 p.m., the Curtis Family C-Notes bring New Orleans-inflected swing to Jones Memorial at 3 p.m., and Kim Nalley closes the California Stage at 4:30 p.m. Nalley is the call if you only have two hours Saturday — the Bay Area vocalist has headlined this festival for years and the outdoor California Stage is where the crowd gathers.

Sunday, July 5: Mood Swing Orchestra with Mike Young plays Calvary at 3:30 p.m. if you want to avoid the outdoor crush. The afternoon closes with a scheduling conflict worth knowing about: Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers (California Stage, 4:30–6 p.m.) runs simultaneously with the Caribbean Allstars on the Eddy Stage (4:30–6 p.m.). Pick your lane — Smith's big-band swing or the Afro-Caribbean set down the block. Both end at 6 p.m.

Food and drink: Minnie Bell's Soul Movement — the Oakland soul food spot known for its fried chicken — is on the pour at one of four festival bars. Food vendors include Gumbo Social, Bao Bao Express, and The Creamy Goat, plus a WhatCoffee & Bakery kiosk if you need espresso before noon.

Getting there: MUNI 22-Fillmore runs the length of the street — board at Market Street and ride north. Street parking on Fillmore is closed during the event; Japan Center Garage (1610 Geary Blvd.) is your best bet if you're driving.

One note: this festival nearly didn't happen last year. In 2025 it was days from cancellation before Avenue Greenlight stepped in with a rescue donation. The 2026 edition going off as planned — and free — is not something to take for granted.

No RSVP, no wristband, no ticket. Just show up.