East Town Association Announces 2026 Jazz in the Park Lineup
Expanded season pairs live music with new Thursday market format starting June 4
Press Release – East Town Association Announces 2026 Jazz in the Park Lineup. Photo provided
MILWAUKEE, WI — East Town Association is thrilled to announce the 2026 Jazz in the Park lineup, bringing 12 Thursday evenings of free live music to Cathedral Square Park from June 4 through September 10, the series’ biggest season in years with 50% more performances than 2025. At its heart, the series celebrates the jazz tradition that has made it a Milwaukee summer staple for decades, and this year’s lineup rounds it out with fan favorites guaranteed to get you moving, from salsa to swing, blues to Billy Joel, Grateful Dead tributes to goth dance music.
New in 2026, Jazz in the Park will be preceded each Thursday by Cathedral Square Market, beginning at 3pm, creating an extended evening of community, food, and entertainment in the heart of downtown Milwaukee. The market’s move to Thursdays came directly from vendor and community feedback, and East Town Association is excited about what the new format will bring to Cathedral Square Park all summer long.
“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. We’re incredibly grateful to Johnson Financial Group for their continued support in making all of this free and accessible to the community.”
Johnson Financial Group returns as the presenting sponsor of Jazz in the Park for 2026.
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 & 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
Jazz in the Park and Cathedral Square Market are both free and open to the public. The market runs Thursdays beginning at 3 PM and the performers take the stage at 6 PM, all at Cathedral Square Park, 520 E. Wells St. in downtown Milwaukee. For more information, visit easttown.com
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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