MILWAUKEE — The decades-long tradition of Jazz in the Park will return to Milwaukee this summer, but some changes will come with it.

What You Need To Know

  • Jazz in the Park will now operate on a biweekly schedule, occurring every other Thursday from June 5 to Sept. 25

  • This year, the namesake will expand upon its sound, offering everything from salsa to soul to indie rock and brass bands

  • Musicians will play from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on series nights

  • What will remain this year is free attendance and the Jazz in the Park side stage experiences

Leaders announced that in the Park will now operate on a biweekly schedule, occurring every other Thursday from June 5 to Sept. 25. The event had previously been held every Thursday. Officials didn’t say why the change was made.

But that’s not all. This year, the namesake will expand upon its sound, offering everything from salsa to soul to indie rock and brass bands. Leaders said they hope this will celebrate the diversity of Milwaukee’s music scene and the surrounding communities.

The full lineup for this year includes:

  • June 5: Salsa in the City — Orquesta Ayala Salsa Band with special guest Mezclando Dance Company
  • June 19: Summer Smooth Grooves — Christopher’s Project
  • July 3: Stars, Stripes and Strings — Chris Haise Band with special guest Brady Lee
  • July 31: Avant Groove — The Claudettes
  • Aug. 14: Soulful Summer — Respect! A Tribute to The Queen of Soul
  • Aug. 28: Pride in the Park — Betsy Ade & The Well-Known Strangers with special guest Our Voice Milwaukee
  • Sept. 11: Halfway to Mardi Gras — The Hot and Dirty Brass Band
  • Sept. 25: Jazz Goes Dead… Again — Another One

Musicians will play from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on series nights.

Jazz in the Park is also introducing a marketplace for local vendors every evening of the series that opens at 5 p.m. There will be local art, handcrafted goods and small-batch bites available for attendees.

This year, there will be a stricter no carry-in policy. Officials said that’s meant to encourage beverage sales at the event, which helps support it. Happy hour specials are still available from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

What will remain this year is free attendance and the Jazz in the Park side stage experiences, which offer paying guests a reserved picnic table in a private area near the stage. The reservation also includes a bottle of wine, a charcuterie board from the restaurant Lupi & Iris, a selection of desserts and private restroom access.

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