(June) The Hampton Jazz Festival is one of the United States’ most storied annual jazz events; it has been happening every year since 1968 and continues to feature the nation’s best artists. The Festival is always held during the last full weekend in June of every year (Friday evening through Sunday) and takes place at the Hampton Coliseum.

The HJF has always had an R & B flavor: in its first year Dizzy Gillespie played alongside Roberta Flack, Dionne Warwick and Muddy Waters. Over the years the programming has continued that trend, and the lineup now features mostly smooth jazz and R & B acts.

Hampton Jazz Festival Information

• Public Transportation: Poor
• Handicapped Accessibility: Good
• Performances/Programs: Approximately 12 performances programmed over three days
• Admission: $47.50 per evening of music; reduced group rates available for groups of over 45 people.