The Detroit Jazz Festival returns this weekend with four days of free music at Hart Plaza.
Why it matters: Billed as the world’s largest free jazz festival, the Labor Day weekend tradition brings some of the genre’s biggest names to Detroit.
What’s happening: This year’s festival celebrates the 100th anniversary of jazz legend John Coltrane’s birth.
- The festival closes Monday with “Coltrane 100,” led by 2026 artist-in-residence Joe Lovano and featuring an all-star ensemble.
- Festival map and schedule
Also playing: Detroit legend Ron Carter, Bob James, Ravi Coltrane, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Cindy Blackman Santana and more…