Vancouver International Jazz Festival announces free outdoor programming for summer 2025
Offerings include Downtown Jazz concerts on June 21 and 22, Bentall Centre happy-hour shows from June 23 to 27, and a day-long July 1 celebration
SPONSORED POST BY Coastal Jazz & Blues Society
Kneebody. Photo by Gilad Hekselman
Coastal Jazz & Blues Society has just unveiled free programming for the 2025 Vancouver International Jazz Festival, which includes the return of opening weekend’s Downtown Jazz series at the Vancouver Art Gallery on šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square; the addition of five happy-hour concerts at Bentall Centre on the Dunsmuir Patio; and a full day of concerts on July 1 at Ocean Artworks on Granville Island. All events are rain or shine.
Downtown Jazz kicks off the festival on June 21 with a full day of high-energy shows by local and international artists, including a headlining performance by the band Kneebody. On June 22, the series continues with big band, blues, jazz, and R&B on the Georgia Street stage, with a closing performance by Makaya McCraven. The weekend also features a Sounds of Youth stage presented by Tom Lee Music and Anthem Properties, with performances by some of Metro Vancouver’s best high-school jazz combos.
Makaya McCraven. Photo by Sulyiman
Downtown Jazz shows begin at 1 pm, and the last performance starts at 8:30 pm on both nights. The full lineup includes Amphibioux, Feven Kidane Sextet, Hanging Hearts, Empanadas Ilegales, Jill Townsend Jazz Orchestra, Super K, Garret T. Willie, and Dawn Pemberton. Attendees can also expect a marketplace of merchants and vendors, food trucks, games, giveaways, and a licensed beer garden.
New this year, the Vancouver International Jazz Festival is partnering with Bentall Centre to host free happy-hour concerts from June 23 to June 27. From 4 pm to 6 pm daily, the Dunsmuir Patio transforms into a lively outdoor venue with a licensed bar, featuring performances by Jonny Tobin on June 23, Parlour Panther on June 24, Colin Sankey Band on June 25, Kristin Fung on June 26, and Malcolm Aiken Quintet on June 27.
Parlour Panther. Photo by Carol Gandra
A day of free family-friendly programming at Ocean Artworks closes out the 40th-annual festival on July 1. Offerings span New Orleans–style sounds, Afro jazz, surf rock, and music from a 90s cult-classic Japanese anime. Performers include Evan Arntzen with special guest Lloyd Arntzen, Feven Kidane Plays Dido & The Handpeople, The ReViberators, and Cowboy Bebop Bebop Band.
Visit Coastal Jazz to learn more.
Post sponsored by Coastal Jazz & Blues Society.
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