The National Gallery of Art’s (NGA’s) outdoor summer concert series is returning with an exciting lineup for the 2026 season.
Washingtonians love to flock to the NGA’s Sculpture Garden to enjoy cocktails and light fare, sounds, and good weather.
When is ‘Jazz in the Garden’ returning?
The 2026 ‘Jazz in the Garden’ concert series kicks off on May 22nd with an event every Friday until August 14th (with breaks on June 5th and July 3rd).
Every show will take place from 6 to 8:30 pm in the NGA’s Sculpture Garden.
What is the 2026 ‘Jazz in the Garden’ lineup?
Here is the full lineup for the beloved outdoor concert series’ 2026 season, and a few key dates for registering for the ticket lottery.
- Friday, May 22nd – Oh He Dead
- Lottery Opens May 11th, 10 am
- Lottery Closes May 15th, noon
- Tickets distributed on May 18th
- Friday, May 29th – The Fly Birds
- Lottery Opens May 18th, 10 am
- Lottery Closes May 22nd, noon
- Tickets distributed on May 25th
- Friday, June 5th – No Concert
- Friday, June 12th – The Fly Birds
- Lottery Opens June 1st, 10 am
- Lottery Closes June 5th, noon
- Tickets distributed on June 8th
- Friday, June 19th – Georgia Heers
- Lottery Opens June 8th, 10 am
- Lottery Closes June 12th, noon
- Tickets distributed on June 15th
- Friday, June 26th – Sally Baby’s Silver Dollars
- Lottery Opens June 15th, 10 am
- Lottery Closes June 19th, noon
- Tickets distributed on June 22nd
- Friday, July 3rd – No Concert
- July 10th – Garry Burnside
- Lottery Opens June 29th, 10 am
- Lottery Closes July 3rd, noon
- Tickets distributed on July 6th
- July 17th – Joe Pug
- Lottery Opens July 6th, 10 am
- Lottery Closes July 10th, noon
- Tickets distributed on July 13th
- July 24th – Red Baraat
- Lottery Opens July 13th, 10 am
- Lottery Closes July 17th, noon
- Tickets distributed on July 20th
- July 31st – Eric Byrd Trio
- Lottery Opens July 20th, 10 am
- Lottery Closes July 24th, noon
- Tickets distributed on July 27th
- August 7th – The Honey Dewdrops
- Lottery Opens July 27th, 10 am
- Lottery Closes July 31st, noon
- Tickets distributed on August 3rd
- August 14th – Brass Queens
- Lottery Opens August 3rd, 10 am
- Lottery Closes August 7th, noon
- Tickets distributed on August 10th
How to get tickets to ‘Jazz in the Garden’
Similar to the NGA’s Gallery Nights events, tickets are free but distributed via a lottery system due to the event’s popularity.
This means you must register for a chance to ‘win’ tickets the week before the ‘Jazz in the Garden’ event you want to attend.
If you are selected, you are welcome to register for up to 4 tickets, allowing you to bring up to 3 others with you when you go (minimum age is 2+ years).
If you don’t get selected in the lottery, don’t freak out; a limited number of day-of passes are available via signs at the Sculpture Garden entrances, starting at 5 pm.
