Jazz in the Park 2026 Lineup Brings 12 Free Thursday Nights
East Town Association has announced the 2026 Jazz in the Park lineup, bringing 12 evenings of free outdoor live music to Cathedral Square Park from June 4 through September 10. This year’s series is the biggest in years, with 50% more performances than 2025 and a schedule that stretches well beyond traditional jazz into salsa, soul, swing, blues, country, yacht rock, Billy Joel, Grateful Dead-inspired jams and even goth dance music.
The free concert series returns to Cathedral Square Park, 520 E. Wells St., with music from 6 to 9 p.m. on scheduled Thursdays.
New this year, the concerts will be paired with the Cathedral Square Market, which begins at 3 p.m. each Thursday. That means families, downtown workers and music fans can come early for food, shopping and a community market before the evening performance begins.
“This summer is shaping up to be something really special,” said Tammy Bockhorst, Executive Director of East Town Association. “The Jazz in the Park lineup this year truly has something for everyone, and pairing it with the Cathedral Square Market creates a Thursday downtown that we think Milwaukee is going to love.”
Johnson Financial Group returns as the presenting sponsor for the 2026 season, helping keep Jazz in the Park free and open to the public.
2026 Jazz in the Park Schedule
June 4 — Salsa in the Park
Junior Rivera y su Orquesta featuring Salsabrositas MKE
June 11 — Divas Take the Stage
B.D. Greer Presents: Divas & Jazz
June 18 — Long Live the Queen
Respect! A Tribute to The Queen of Soul
June 25 — Dirt Roads and Dive Bars
Driveway Thriftdwellers
July 23 — Back to the 80s
The First Wave
July 30 — Midnight in Chicago
Ivy Ford Band
August 6 — Swing Into Summer
Old Sam and the Teardrops featuring Lindy Hop MKE
August 13 — Dead on the Square
Deadelijk
August 20 — Dance Floor Takeover
Platinum
August 27 — New York State of Mind
52nd Street: The Music of Billy Joel
September 3 — Smooth Sailing
Whole Yachta Love
September 10 — All Aboard the Dark Side
Goth Barge
What to Know Before You Go
Jazz in the Park 2026 takes place at Cathedral Square Park, 520 E. Wells St. in downtown Milwaukee.
The Cathedral Square Market begins at 3 p.m., and live music runs from 6 to 9 p.m.
Both the market and concerts are free and open to the public, making this an easy summer outing for families, date nights, friend meetups or anyone looking for a low-cost way to enjoy downtown Milwaukee.
For more information, visit easttown.com.
Milwaukee’s Jazz in the Park returns for 2026 with 12 free Thursday concerts at Cathedral Square Park, plus the new Cathedral Square Market starting at 3 p.m.