Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the Monterey Jazz Festival take place?

The Monterey Jazz Festival is the longest continuously-running jazz festival in the world. It is held annually on the 20-acre, oak-studded Monterey County Fairgrounds, located at 2004 Fairground Road in Monterey, California. This has been the site of the Festival since its inception in 1958.

GATE AND SHOW TIMES

September 27, Friday: Gates 3:00 pm

September 28, Saturday: Gates 11:00 am

September 29, Sunday: Gates 11:00 am

Parking

Monterey Peninsula College parking is available for the 2024 Festival. Your ticket must be shown to ride the MST shuttle to the festival grounds. If you don’t purchase parking, we recommend utilizing local rideshare services, Uber and Lyft, to avoid limited parking availability. Parking lots open 30 minutes prior to gate opening times each day of the Festival and close 30 minutes after the last show.

WHAT'S NEW AT THE FESTIVAL THIS YEAR?

  • We are going cashless for all MJF-related purchases. This includes tickets, food vendors, and parking.
  • A Clear Bag Policy will be in effect for the 2024 Monterey Jazz Festival. Please make sure your items are in clear bags. Small clutches or hip bags will be accepted. No large, non-clear totes or large purses will be allowed.
  • Chair rental will be available through conCHAIRto to provide clean lawn seats during the festival. This turnkey solution allows you to pick up your chair and leave it where you want. We will return it to conCHAIRto when you leave the festival for the day. We will provide more information on the rental process in the coming weeks.

HEALTH & SAFETY

The health and safety of our audiences, artists, and staff is our top priority. We’re committed to ensuring you have a wonderful experience this year with confidence in the procedures designed for a safe environment for all. MJF67 will feature four outdoor stages: Jimmy Lyons Main Stage, West End Stage, Garden Stage, and the Courtyard Stage. We are also pleased to bring back the Pacific Jazz Café to the schedule. Here’s to a fantastic Festival experience – 67 years and counting!

TICKETS

The 67th Monterey Jazz Festival will feature five premium stages for your entertainment. Click here for artist lineup and schedule information.

How do I renew my seat selection?

Friends of the Festival patrons may renew their seats from 2023. Renewals will begin March 14 and end March 24, 2024. All renewals must be completed online or by calling Etix directly. We will not be accepting cash or check payments for ticket purchases. Payments may not be made in person at the Monterey Jazz Festival office. 

To learn how you can become a Friend of the Festival and be eligible to renew seats purchased in 2023 for MJF67 in 2024, please click here.

When do renewals start?

Arena and Grounds 3-Day packages will go on sale at 10 am on April 14, 2024. Single-day Arena and Grounds tickets will go on sale at 10 am on May 5, 2024.

When do renewals start?

Renewals begin March 14, 2024. Renewal invoices and information will be emailed on March 13 directly from etix.com. Renewals must be done online or by calling Etix at 888.248.6499. We will not be accepting cash or check payments for ticket purchases. Renewals must be completed by March 24, 2024.

Will you be selling single-day tickets?

Yes. We will have single-day tickets available this year. Single-day tickets will go on sale at 10 am on May 5, 2024.

Will you be selling Grounds tickets this year?

Yes. Grounds tickets will be available again this year. 3-Day Grounds packages go on sale on April 14, 2024, and single-day Grounds tickets go on sale on May 5, 2024.

Are there discounts for Military or Students?

Yes. In-person discounts will be available at the festival box office the week prior to the festival. Check for days and hours of operation closer to the festival.

Limit of 4 per military ID. Military member must be present to receive discount.

Limit of 1 per student ID. Student must be present to receive discount.

When will I receive my tickets?

All tickets will be electronic, print-at-home, or mobile tickets. Tickets will not be available until August 31. Guests may access their tickets through their Etix account beginning Aug 31. Etix will resend confirmation emails on Aug 31 with a link to access electronic tickets. Tickets may be printed or saved to a mobile device.

Why did I only receive 3 tickets for my 3-day Arena package?

In 2021, the Monterey Jazz Festival switched from 5 tickets per Arena package to 3 tickets per Arena package. Guests receive one ticket per day and have entry and exit privileges to both the arena and fairgrounds. Only one person may be admitted per day per ticket. Tickets are not able to be shared for admission for additional guests throughout the day.

MAXIMUM ORDER

Up to 8 tickets can be purchased in any one order. For larger group sales, please call 831.373.0366.

REFUNDS

The Monterey Jazz Festival has a no-refund policy, and all sales are non-refundable. Monterey Jazz Festival will not be accepting donated tickets from the public as charitable contributions.

UPGRADES

Seat exchanges (previously referred to as upgrades) are available after renewals end for Bronze and higher levels of Friends of the Festival patrons. Information will be emailed to Friend of the Festival, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum tiers with instructions on how to complete a seat exchange. Original renewable seats must be paid (renewed) in order to participate in the seat exchange. For information on how you may be eligible in 2024 for a seat exchange by becoming a Friend of the Festival at the Bronze or higher tier level, please click HERE.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE POLICIES

We invite you to enjoy a wide variety of food and beverages available for purchase at the Monterey Jazz Festival. As per the State of California and the County of Monterey, food, glass, and beverages in containers cannot be brought onto the Fairgrounds, with the exception of one sealed bottle of water. Empty stainless steel or other non-breakable individual-use water containers are allowed, which may be filled at the free Pure Water stations. Containers are also available for purchase. No picnic baskets, coolers, or barbeques are allowed. No alcohol may be brought onto the Fairgrounds. Alcohol and containers will be disposed of at the entrance gates and not returned. Every person who enters the Fairgrounds is subject to search by Security personnel.

PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES/HEARING IMPAIRED INFO

  • ADA seating is available through montereyjazzfestival.org/ticketing or by calling 888.248.6499. Please contact the Ticket Office if you have specific questions.
  • A Passenger Loading/Unloading area with ADA access is located at the Main Entrance (Gate #5) to the Fairgrounds next to the Ticket Office on Fairground Road.
  • A limited number of ADA parking spaces are available on Fairground Road. Parking is first-come, first-served.
  • ADA Shuttles, operated by the Monterey Bay Veterans Association, will be available to transfer people around the grounds or to the festival parking lot.
  • Listening devices for the hearing impaired are available at no charge at Patron Services, located on the Fairgrounds. A deposit of a valid driver’s license or current credit card is required.
  • Alcohol and containers will be disposed of at the entrance gates and not returned. Every person who enters the Fairgrounds is subject to search by Security personnel.

DO & DONTS

We want all of our fans to have an enjoyable and safe experience at the Monterey Jazz Festival. Please help us ensure everyone's security, comfort, and convenience by following these rules. Thank you and enjoy the Festival! Alcohol and containers will be disposed of at the entrance gates and not returned. Every person who enters the Fairgrounds is subject to search by Security personnel.

FOR YOUR SECURITY

Every person is subject to a security search. Please be prepared for Security to search your belongings. Security reserves the right to refuse entry to the Festival Grounds. The Monterey Jazz Festival works with the Monterey County Fairgrounds, a professional security firm, and the City of Monterey police department to ensure the safety of our patrons.

DON'T BRING

The following are prohibited on the Festival Grounds:

  • Food, coolers, glass bottles, containerized or alcoholic beverages
  • Lawn, beach or folding chairs. See the “What’s New This Year” category for more information
  • Camera or cameras with detachable lenses of ANY SIZE
  • Flash for photos, tripods, monopods, laser pens, laser lightsAudio or video recording devices
  • Pets
  • Smoking is not allowed in the Arena or any indoor venue
  • All cell phone ringers must be turned off during performances
  • Strollers are not allowed in the Arena or any indoor venue

*Security may confiscate items or have you remove items from the Festival Grounds.

DO BRING

  • Electronic ticket or a print-at-home ticket
  • Your Clear Bag or clear tote
  • Personal items and medications
  • Additional clothing for changing weather conditions and temperatures
  • One sealed plastic bottle of water per patron is permitted
  • If you purchased a Lawn Seat, don’t forget your blanket

FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE

  • An array of food and shopping will be available inside Gate 5 and in the Arena- ATMs are available on the Festival Grounds for Arts and Crafts Vendors and Program Sales 
  • Listening devices are available at the Patron Services Tent on the Midway

FESTIVAL ENTRY POLICIES

Your ticket allows one entry to the Fairgrounds. Ticket holders must exit and enter through Gates 3, 5, and 10 ONLY for readmittance. You will be given a wristband to re-enter the Festival grounds. If you lose your wristband, you will need to purchase another ticket for re-entry. If you have questions prior to the Festival, please contact the Ticket Office at ticketoffice@montereyjazzfestival.org. If you have questions during the Festival, please ask our Patron Services volunteers.

ATM

For your convenience, ATMs are available inside Gate 5 of the Fairgrounds during the Monterey Jazz Festival weekend.

SMOKING POLICY

Smoking is not permitted in the arena.

FIRST AID

There is a medical first aid station located on the Fairgrounds.

*Emergency Medical Technicians will be walking the grounds throughout the Festival weekend. If you need assistance, look for someone with a radio.

COURTESY TO FELLOW FANS

As a courtesy to fellow fans and our performing artists, please remember to turn off all cell phone ringers while attending the Festival performances. Please do not use flash photography of any kind with any device. Please do not film with a smartphone, especially when the artist has specifically asked you not to. Please do not wear large hats or sit on multiple cushions that block the view for the fans behind you.

PHOTOGRAPHY / VIDEOGRAPHY DISCLAIMER

Monterey Jazz Festival (MJF) reserves the right to use any photograph/video taken at any event sponsored by Monterey Jazz without the expressed written permission of those included within the photograph/video. Monterey Jazz may use the photograph/video in publications or other media material produced, used, or contracted by Monterey Jazz, including but not limited to brochures, invitations, books, newspapers, magazines, television, websites, emails, promotional videos, etc.

Any person or organization not affiliated with Monterey Jazz may not use, copy, alter, or modify Monterey Jazz photographs, graphics, videography, or similar reproductions or recordings without the advance written permission of an authorized designee from Monterey Jazz. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!

By participating in a Monterey Jazz event or by failing to notify the photographer/videographer of your desire not to have your photograph used by Monterey Jazz, you agree to release, defend, hold harmless, and indemnify Monterey Jazz from any and all claims involving the use of your picture or likeness.

To ensure the privacy of individuals and children, images will not be identified using full names or personal identifying information without written approval from the photographed subject, parent, or legal guardian. A person attending a Monterey Jazz event who does not wish to have their image recorded for distribution should make their wishes known to the event photographer/videographer at the time the photo or video is being taken.

 

Countdown to the 2024 Monterey Jazz Festival:
September 27-29, 2024

224 Days left!