Visitor Info
What is JazzFest?
The annual Sioux Falls Jazz and Blues Festival, JazzFest, has become a summer favorite
for Sioux Falls and the region. JazzFest is now a three-day outdoor musical event,
featuring two stages and is FREE to the public. At JazzFest 2014, an
estimated 110,000 enjoyed the music, sun, food, and people watching.
Who organizes JazzFest?
JazzFest is a fundraiser for Sioux Falls Jazz & Blues, a 501(c)(3)
non-profit organization. Jazz & Blues raises money through the sale of beverages at
the festival. You can learn more about Sioux Falls Jazz & Blues at their website www.sfjb.org.
When and where is JazzFest?
JazzFest usually takes place the third weekend in July. The 2015 dates are July 16, 17,
and 18. Gates open at 4pm and festivities kick off Thursday night at 6pm and go until
10pm. On Friday, gates open at 4pm, the music starts at 6pm and goes until 11:45pm. On
Saturday, gates open at 11am, the music starts at noon and goes until 11:45pm.
| July 16 | Thursday | 4:00 PM | 10:00 PM |
| July 17 | Friday | 4:00 PM | 11:45 PM |
| July 18 | Saturday | 11:00 AM | 11:45 PM |
The festival is located at Yankton Trail Park in Sioux Falls, SD (Click here for map)—located at the intersection of Minnesota Avenue and I-229. From I-29 South take I-229, then the Minnesota Avenue Exit. Take a right onto Minnesota Ave, and turn right at the JazzFest sign.
Is there an admission fee?
No, JazzFest is a FREE event! Generous sponsorships from many local
and regional companies as well as hundreds of volunteers from the community allow the
event to remain free to the public. Because there is free admission, we ask that
attendants not bring in any outside food or beverages. JazzFest is possible because of
our sponsors, volunteers and the sale of food and beverages at the event.
Is jazz the only music featured at JazzFest?
JazzFest features a wide variety of music every year including jazz,
blues, Zydeco, Latin, reggae, big band, rock, soul and funk among others.
Can I bring a cooler with outside food or outside beverages to
JazzFest?
No. JazzFest is a free event and all proceeds from beer, pop and water
sales go to towards educational programming put on by Sioux Falls Jazz and Blues, the
folks who also put JazzFest on. No coolers, no pets (“seeing eye” and
“support” dogs excluded), no RVs.
How do I get to Yankton Trail Park?
Yankton Trail Park is located on the south side of Interstate 229 off Minnesota Avenue
in Sioux Falls, SD.
Where do I park?
There is a $10 daily parking fee to park inside Yankton Trail Park.
Shuttle buses are available. There is a bike/walking trail that connects Yankton Trail
Park to several other parks in Sioux Falls. We suggest that you park your car at
another park along the trail and then take the path into the JazzFest site. Click
here for a map of Sioux Falls parks and bike trails.
JazzFest 2015 parking map to come!
Are shuttle buses available?
Yes. For only $3 per person for the round trip, shuttles are an easy way to travel to
the festival. Shuttle locations include the Elmen Center at Augustana College,
Roosevelt and O’Gorman High Schools. Park your car and ride into the festival!
Shuttle service times:
Thursday: 5pm-11pm (Elmen Center only)
Friday: 5pm- 12:30am (Elmen Center only)
Saturday: 11am-12:30am (Elmen Center, Roosevelt, and O’Gorman)
The Department of City Transit for Sioux Falls is no longer providing the Downtown Trolley as a service for JazzFest patrons. We regret this decision and invite you to use one of our other shuttle options for coming to the festival.
What if I want to ride my bike?
We highly recommend it! In fact, Spoke-n-Sport will be happy to valet
your bike for you on your arrival! The bike valet is located just off of the bike trail
south of the main stage area.
Where can I book a hotel room?
There are many hotel choices in Sioux Falls. The Holiday Inn Downtown
City Centre is the official host hotel of JazzFest and has special JazzFest rates. Call
the Holiday Inn City Centre at 605-339-2000. You can also go to the Sioux Falls
Convention and Visitor’s Bureau website to obtain other lodging information for
the Sioux Falls area.
Is JazzFest accessible to those with disabilities?
Yankton Trail Park is completely handicap accessible including wheelchair accessible
port-a-pots and reserved ADA parking. Click here for a map showing ADA accessible parking.
“Seeing eye” and “support” dogs are welcome.
Can I record JazzFest?
No. No video recording of any kind will be permitted during JazzFest.
Copyright violations will be prosecuted to the extent of the law.
Can I camp at JazzFest?
No. Yankton Trail Park is not a campground. Over night camping is not permitted in
Sioux Falls Parks. Camping information is available on the Sioux Falls Convention and
Visitors Bureau website.
Can I bring a tent?
No. Tents block the view of everyone behind you and that’s not a
good thing when thousands of people will be attending JazzFest. Please leave the tent
at home.
Can I bring an umbrella?
No, unfortunately, umbrellas block the view of those behind you.
Can I bring my pet to JazzFest?
No. JazzFest is fun for people… but a hot and miserable place
for pets. Please keep your pet at home in a nice cool place with plenty of water.
Can I bring my RV?
Sorry, no. There is limited parking in the festival area and RVs not
only take up too much space, they cause unnecessary traffic problems.
Is there food at JazzFest?
Yes! LOTS of it! The festival brings in a plethora of vendors selling
reasonably priced items…everything from Bar-B-Q to fresh fruit!
What kind of seating is available at JazzFest?
Yankton Trail park is made up of soccer fields. Open seating (no
bleachers, etc) is available, so bring your own small lawn chairs and blankets to set
out on the lush, green grass. We ask that you not reserve space with the use of rope,
cords, tape or other materials. JazzFest organizers reserve the right to remove all
obstructions that are not in the spirit of this open seating policy. This includes
umbrellas that may be blocking the view of other festival goers.
Are ATM’s available on-site?
Yes, there are two ATM’s on the JazzFest grounds.
Can I volunteer for JazzFest?
Yes. JazzFest would not be possible if not for the hundreds of
community members who donate their time. Call (605) 335-6101 for more information about
volunteering your time at JazzFest or sign up online by clicking the volunteer link.
Volunteers are an integral part of JazzFest! We love our volunteers!
How can I apply to perform at JazzFest?
JazzFest is accepting Second Stage Artist Submissions until March 2, 2015.
JazzFest starts accepting press kits/CDs December 1 until February 1. We keep artist submissions on file for one year. No electronic submissions are considered or accepted.
How can I become a sponsor of JazzFest?
Please contact Sioux Falls Jazz & Blues at [email protected] for more
information about sponsoring
JazzFest.
Can I hold a private party at JazzFest?
Absolutely! We have corporate/private tents for companies, class or
family reunions, birthday parties, or any old reason you may want to throw a party!
Catering options are available. Call 605-335-6101 for more information.
Should I bring my kids?
YES! JazzFest is an event for all ages. JazzQuest is a special area
just for kids with tons of activities, like face painting, arts and crafts, musical
games and other activities. The kids area inflatables will be open from 6-9pm on
Thursday, 5-9pm on Friday night and inflatables and arts and crafts projects will be
available from 1-9pm on Saturday.
What should I bring to JazzFest?
A small lawn chair or blanket; a bike, ball or Frisbee; cash or credit
cards; a hat, sunblock, sunglasses, your kids, and a great attitude!
What should I leave at home?
Umbrellas or tents, coolers or outside food and beverages, pets
(“seeing eye” and “support” dogs excluded), radios and portable
TV’s.
If you have any other questions about JazzFest, please contact Sioux Falls Jazz & Blues office by emailing [email protected] or calling 605.335.6101.
See you at JazzFest 2015 – July 16, 17, and 18!
