August 7-9, 2020 | Telluride, Colorado
The Telluride Jazz Festival returns for its 44th year on August 7-9, 2020 with renewed energy after a highly successful year in 2019. With official dates set for the celebration of live music, art, yoga, music education and outdoor recreation, the new year is set to build upon the positive growth and momentum.
Ranking as one of the most scenic music events in the world, The Telluride Jazz Festival has brought people from around the world for over four decades. The combination of the intimate festival format, endless alpine recreational activities, world-class music and legendary shows in historic venues offers an immersive live music experience unlike any other. Join us this summer and experience a truly one-of-a-kind event.
Here are the top 10 reasons why the Telluride Jazz Festival should be on your 2020 summer calendar.
1. The Town
Telluride is strategically located in a box canyon nestled among the majestic 13,000 foot peaks of the San Juan Mountains in southwest Colorado. Easily accessed trail systems deliver you to high alpine lakes, rivers, and campgrounds throughout the 160 thousand acres of pristine wilderness in the region. This beautiful mountain retreat is the ultimate outdoor destination, complete with world class recreational offerings.
2. The Views
The natural beauty from Main Street in Telluride is breathtaking. Because of its significant role in American Western history, the core area of Telluride was designated a National Historic Landmark District in 1964. This listing is the highest level of status available from the United States Secretary of the Interior. These sites are so special that they are eligible for consideration to become national parks. A stroll through the town will help convince you of this fact. With the colorful Victorian-era homes, clapboard storefronts, boutiques, art galleries, gourmet restaurants, historic buildings and more, Telluride is a delight to explore.
3. The Outdoors
The abundance of recreational activities in Telluride's alpine environment are limitless. Hiking, Biking, Swimming, Kayaking, Stand Up Paddle Boarding, 4x4 Off-Road Drives and more are all accessible from your doorstep. If you’re up for adventure, there are plenty of beautiful hiking trails including five waterfalls that that can all be easily enjoyed via short hikes directly from downtown Telluride. For a list of Telluride activities, click here.
4. The Festival
The enhanced Festival experience provides a well rounded weekend. Attend at an upgraded level tp Patron or VIP and get styled out like never before!
The Patron Experience is by far the best way to attend the Telluride Jazz Festival! With an on-stage seated viewing area and catered meals with the artists backstage, Patron pass-holders will be treated to a weekend of world-class music, decadent food and drinks all surrounded by the unparalleled views of Telluride Town Park.
The Telluride Jazz Festival VIP Experience features an exclusive VIP area inside the Festival grounds with a covered, heated lounge with unobstructed stage views, seating in front of the stage, a hosted bar with beer, select wine and specialty cocktails, private, up-scale restrooms and more!
All tickets go on sale January 31, 2020 at 10 am (MT). Click here for ticket info.
5. Special Events During The Festival
Extending far beyond the world class music on the Main Stage, the Telluride Jazz Festival has plenty of activities to keep you entertained. From interactive artist performances on the Society Stage at Elks Park, to the Kids Area and so much more, there's something for everyone. On Sunday morning, join the Festival staff, attendees and a couple of brass bands at Elks Park for a Second Line Parade down Main Street all the way to Telluride Town Park where the Main Stage entertainment begins. Colorful floats, costumes, beads and decorations are all welcome and encouraged as attendees join in on the march through town. For the complete list of Festival events info, click here.
6. The Late Night Shows
After the music ends in Town Park for the evening, we move the festival scene into historic music venues located throughout the town of Telluride. This late night series is called "Jazz After Dark" and, once they get jamming, a walk down Main Street feels like a walk down Frenchmen Street in New Orleans. See them all - one Jazz After Dark pass allows entry into three different shows! Artists and venue information will be announced soon. For more info, click here.
Night owls can enjoy an additional late night show at the Liberty Sessions after the Jazz After Dark shows. Admission is free!
7. The Food
Some of the country’s most celebrated chefs now call Telluride home. In fact, Condé Nast readers ranked Telluride in their Top 20 List of Best American Cities for Foodies. And Fodor’s ranked Telluride in the Top 10. The best part about all this collection of chefs and foodies is that Telluride's award winning restaurants are all located within walking distance of the festival. For a list of dining options in town, click here.
Sample dishes from a variety of local chefs and dine backstage with the Patron Experience! The Patron Opening Reception on Thursday, August 6 will be hosted in collaboration with the celebrated “Top Chef and Taste of Telluride”. At this event Patrons will have access to an exclusive Patron Lounge at the event featuring live music, along with the opportunity to sample dishes from the regions’ best chefs. The Top Chef Competition will highlight the reception as local chefs compete in a heated culinary show-down, alongside a Bartender Competition where mixologists will compete for the tastiest and most creative specialty cocktail after receiving a secret basket of ingredients.
During the festival Patrons will be treated to full meals backstage from Telluride chef Josh Klein. Putting an emphasis on high quality, locally-sourced and fresh ingredients, this year's Patron Experience feature will feature an eclectic food menu served in a cozy, covered Patron Lounge located backstage at the festival. Click here to view last year’s menu and learn more about the Patron Experience here.
8. The Gondola
The towns of Telluride and Mountain Village are linked by a spectacular, 13-minute ride on a FREE gondola—the first and only free public transportation system of its kind in the United States. This popular scenic attraction provides access to hiking and biking trails in the summertime. A ride on the "G" is an absolute must during a visit to Telluride.
9. Telluride Historical Museum
The Telluride Jazz Festival has partnered with the Telluride Historical Museum to offer free museum admission to pass and ticket holders during the festival weekend. Festival attendees will have the chance to visit the museum and learn about the region's rich Ute Native American heritage, mining, ski and festival history. Show your festival wristband for museum entry. The Museum is located at 201 W Gregory Ave. For more info, click here.
10. Student Education and Outreach
The Telluride Jazz Festival and its programs represent music education of the highest order. World class Jazz musicians bring their talent, skills, and knowledge to our community, sharing them all on the Town Park Main Stage, "Society Stage" at Elks Park, Jazz After Dark historic venues, Telluride School District and other regional education institutions. Jazz music, as America’s unique art form, is at the heart of our programming, and we are always looking for new ways to reach and grow our audience with ticketed and free performances. For more info, click here.
2020 artist lineup and weekend schedule will be announced in the early spring. Sign up for our newsletter below for important notifications. General Admission, all inclusive ‘All That Jazz’ Passes, Patron and VIP Passes go on sale January 31 at 10am (MT). For more updates, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram.