Charleston Jazz Festival Expands to Nine Days in 2025, Showcasing an Unparalleled Lineup of World-Class Artists

The Charleston Jazz Festival proudly announces its return in 2025 with an expanded nine-day celebration of jazz, running from April 21 through April 29.

This year’s festival features an extraordinary lineup of internationally renowned artists, distinguished local musicians, and a diverse array of performances, presented in partnership with a variety of organizations and venues, including Spoleto Festival USA, the Charleston Gaillard Center, the College of Charleston, The Establishment, Fox Music, Circular Congregational Church, and Charleston Music Hall.

From jazz-infused opera and Latin jazz mastery to soul tributes and innovative educational programs, the 2025 Charleston Jazz Festival will offer a rich and dynamic experience, further solidifying Charleston’s reputation as a leading cultural destination for jazz enthusiasts.

The 2025 Charleston Jazz Festival is made possible in part by the Oliver S. and Jennie R. Donaldson Charitable Trust, Hilton C. Smith Jr., Explore Charleston, MUSC Health, City of Charleston, the Byron Fellowship Educational Foundation, and the South Carolina Arts Commission.

Schedule of Events

April 29, 2025

Charleston Jazz Festival | Big Chief Donald Harrison | Bark Like Thunder, Roll Like Lightning

Time: 6:00pm

Venue: Fox Music House

An intimate and wide-ranging evening with NEA Jazz Master alto saxophonist Donald Harrison, who is Big Chief of Congo Square Nation, an Afro-New Orleans Cultural Group.

At 6pm, we’ll screen “Guardians of the Flame,” a documentary that is the product of some 17 years, begun on a visit to post-Katrina New Orleans in 2006 by Oscar-winning director Jonathan Demme and writer Daniel Wolff, about creativity, cohesion, survival and healing among Harrison’s family and the culture bearers of his community.

Ticket Price: FREE TO ATTEND

This event is free and open to the public. 

Date: April 21 - 29, 2025