🎷 Jazz Festival · June 13–14, 2026 · The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, Downtown San Diego
San Diego Smooth Jazz Festival 2026
Rady Shell — June 13–14, 2026
The 8th Annual San Diego Smooth Jazz Festival takes over the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park for two consecutive afternoons of waterfront jazz. The lineup this year is loaded — Boney James, Lalah Hathaway, Bob James, Acoustic Alchemy, Najee, Pieces of a Dream, Kim Waters, Jessy J, Brian Simpson, and more, all hosted by Eric Darius. Gates open at 2:30 PM both days, concerts at 3:00 PM. Tickets start at $125 and the venue seats are limited — buy directly through The Rady Shell to guarantee authenticity.
🎷 2026 San Diego Smooth Jazz Festival — Full Artist Lineup
| Artist | Background |
|---|---|
| Boney James | One of the best-selling smooth jazz artists of all time. Saxophonist with 13 charting albums, multiple Grammy nominations |
| Lalah Hathaway | Daughter of Donny Hathaway. Grammy-winning R&B and jazz vocalist with some of the most technically acclaimed pipes in contemporary music |
| Acoustic Alchemy | British smooth jazz duo known for their acoustic-electric guitar sound. Festival circuit favorites |
| Bob James | Legendary jazz pianist and producer. Co-founder of the smooth jazz genre; his recordings appear throughout hip-hop samples |
| Eric Darius | Festival host and saxophonist. Known for his energetic performances and genre-blending approach |
| Brian Simpson | Keyboardist and smooth jazz artist with deep session musician credentials |
| Kim Waters | Saxophonist and vocalist with a catalog spanning R&B and smooth jazz |
| Jessy J | Saxophonist known for warm tone and Latin jazz influences |
| Najee | Veteran smooth jazz flutist and saxophonist with a career stretching to the late 1980s |
| Pieces of a Dream | Jazz-funk trio from Philadelphia with an enduring catalog |
Artist appearances are subject to change per the official festival announcement. Verify the day-specific lineup at sandiegosmoothjazzfestival.com as the date approaches.
📅 Festival Schedule & Timing
| Detail | Saturday, June 13 | Sunday, June 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Gates Open | 2:30 PM | 2:30 PM |
| Concert Start | 3:00 PM | 3:00 PM |
| Expected End | ~8:00–9:00 PM | ~8:00–9:00 PM |
🌊 The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park — Setting & Seating
The Rady Shell is one of the most beautiful outdoor music venues on the West Coast. Located on a peninsula behind the San Diego Convention Center, it sits directly on San Diego Bay with Coronado Island and the bridge visible across the water. On a June afternoon, the light off the bay during the 3 PM start time is exceptional.
| Address | 222 Marina Park Way, San Diego, CA 92101 |
| Marina Center | Premium reserved seats close to the stage, under the shell canopy ($250–$425 range) |
| Bridgeview Center | Reserved seats with clear sightlines, slightly further back ($125–$200 range) |
| Lawn | General admission — bring a blanket or low chair |
🎟️ San Diego Smooth Jazz Festival Tickets — Price & Availability
| Section | Approx. Price |
|---|---|
| Bridgeview Center (reserved) | From ~$125–$162 |
| Marina Center (premium reserved) | From ~$250–$425 |
| Lawn (general admission) | Lower price tier |
Tickets are sold per-day. Saturday and Sunday are separate tickets. Buy at theshell.org. Rady Shell Box Office: 619-235-0804
💡 Insider Tips for the San Diego Smooth Jazz Festival
- • Arrive at gates (2:30 PM) rather than at concert start (3:00 PM). The first set often goes to a lesser-known but excellent artist, and you want to be settled before the opening notes.
- • The Bridgeview Center section is the sweet spot for value — clear sightlines, reserved seat, without the premium Marina Center price.
- • The lawn fills from the back toward the stage. If going lawn, arrive at 2:30 PM and walk as close as they'll allow.
- • The Rady Shell's food is good, not great. Eat a proper meal nearby (Little Italy is 15 minutes away; the Gaslamp is a 20-minute walk) before arriving.
- • June 13 has a lot going on: Field of Dreamz Festival at Petco Park, the Greek Festival in North Park, the County Fair in Del Mar. The Smooth Jazz Festival is the most intimate and adult-oriented of the four.
- • Pre-purchase parking at theshell.org. The Convention Center area has lots but they fill on festival weekends.