Rosslyn is getting ready for an afternoon of live music this weekend as the 34th annual Rosslyn Jazz Fest returns to Gateway Park in Arlington.
The free outdoor festival is bringing together artists with sounds ranging from Puerto Rican plena and Afro-Caribbean music to New Orleans-inspired jazz, funk, soul and Togolese fusion.
Along with the music, attendees can spend the afternoon exploring food trucks, local vendors, outdoor bars, games and other activities throughout the park.
The festival runs from 1 pm to 7 pm on Saturday, September 12th, making it an easy weekend option for anyone looking for live entertainment near Washington, D.C.
When and where is the Rosslyn Jazz Fest taking place?
The Rosslyn Jazz Fest takes place Saturday, September 12, from 1pm to 7pm at Gateway Park, located at 1300 Langston Blvd. in Arlington, Virginia. Gateway Park sits in the heart of Rosslyn, making the festival particularly convenient for visitors coming from across Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C.
The park will open for the festival at 12pm, with the first performance scheduled for 1pm. The Rosslyn Metro Station is less than a five-minute walk from Gateway Park and is served by the Orange, Silver and Blue lines, while several bus routes also stop nearby.
Drivers should also plan around event-related road closures. According to ARLnow, several roads around the park are scheduled to close from 7am to 9pm, including eastbound Langston Boulevard between Fort Myer Drive and N. Lynn Street.
What to expect if you’re thinking about attending
The festival’s music lineup is designed to showcase a range of international and American influences, with four performances scheduled throughout the afternoon:
- 1pm: Dogo du Togo & The Alagaa Beat Band
- 2:20pm: Parlor Greens
- 3:45pm: Sally Baby’s Silver Dollars
- 5:30pm: Plena Libre
The headliner, Plena Libre, is a Grammy-nominated Puerto Rican group known for combining traditional plena and bomba with Afro-Caribbean styles and jazz. Dogo du Togo & The Alagaa Beat Band brings Togolese rhythms, psychedelic rock and afrobeat, while Parlor Greens delivers soul jazz, funk and groove-driven improvisation.
Sally Baby’s Silver Dollars adds a New Orleans-inspired mix of jazz, blues and vintage swing to the afternoon. Performance times are subject to change.
Music isn’t the only attraction at Gateway Park.
The festival will also feature food trucks, local vendors, outdoor bars, yard games, community table experiences and family-friendly activities, giving attendees plenty to do between performances.
The event is open to people of all ages, and organizers specifically describe it as a family-friendly festival.
Food trucks listed by organizers include Zippity Shaved Ice, King of Pop’s, Health Pub, Sweet Thai Chili, Chick-fil-A (Ballston), DC Slices, Taco Rock and Dogs on the Curb, although the lineup is subject to change.
Standard lawn chairs and small blankets are also permitted, so visitors can settle in and spend several hours listening to the performances.
How much are tickets?
Rosslyn Jazz Fest is completely free to attend, so there is no admission fee for the festival.
Registration is not required, but it is strongly encouraged because Gateway Park has capacity restrictions and organizers will monitor attendance throughout the day.
If the park reaches capacity, organizers may stagger entry for safety and security. That makes registering in advance a worthwhile step for anyone planning to attend, particularly as ARLnow reported that registration was already up 10% compared with the same point last year as of Wednesday.
With free admission, a full afternoon of live music and activities for all ages, the Rosslyn Jazz Fest offers a relatively easy way to spend Saturday outdoors without paying for a concert ticket. Visitors should also keep in mind that the event is cashless, and outside alcohol is not permitted.
