The sounds of saxophones, drums, and a lot of laughter will once again fill Heritage Park this weekend as Corpus Christi hosts the 64th annual Texas Jazz Festival, the longest-running free jazz festival in the country.  

Founded in 1959 by members of Del Mar College’s Jazz Club, the event began as a small campus concert, but then quickly grew into a citywide tradition celebrating the culture and creativity of jazz music. The festival’s success led to the establishment of the Texas Jazz Festival Society, which now organizes the three-day celebration each October. 

This year’s festival runs Oct. 17–19 in Heritage Park at 1581 N. Chaparral St., featuring more than 50 acts across three stages, with performances ranging from local high school jazz ensembles to professional touring artists. 

Performers include Texas A&M University-Kingsville Jazz Band, Miller High School Jazz Band, and Del Mar College’s M Jazz Ensemble, among many others.  

“Jazz has always been fun for me and my family to watch every year; it brings us together and we really look forward to it when October rolls around,” said former Del Mar student Natalie Cantu.

Alongside the music, visitors can enjoy all the local food vendors, different art exhibits, and family friendly entertainment for everyone. 

Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for a nice evening under the South Texas night sky filled with rhythm.  

Unlike many larger music events, the Texas Jazz Fest remains completely free thanks to community donations, sponsors, and the overall dedication of volunteers. The festival’s motto— “Keeping Jazz Alive in Corpus Christi”— echoes its enduring mission: to preserve the genre’s legacy while inspiring new generations of musicians.  

“This festival isn’t just about the music,” said yearly volunteer Dolores Garcia. “It’s about the memories people get to make here — families, students, tourists — everyone becomes part of the jazz family.”