Detroit Jazz Festival

It started in 1980 as an American cousin to Switzerland's Montreux Jazz Festival, sharing performers and even commissioned poster art across the Atlantic - then nearly collapsed financially in 2005 until Gretchen Valade, granddaughter of Carhartt's founder, donated ten million dollars and saved it. It's now the largest free jazz festival in the world: 60-plus acts across Hart Plaza and Cadillac Square every Labor Day weekend, 300,000 people, late-night jam sessions, and not a dollar charged at the gate.

Dates

Labor Day weekend (Fri-Mon)

Town

Detroit, Michigan

Venue

Hart Plaza & Cadillac Square, Detroit, MI

Price

Free

Type

Music