Duck Jazz Festival

Start: Saturday, October 11, 2025 10:00AM
End: Sunday, October 12, 2025 6:00PM

This year, the Duck Jazz Festival proudly reaches its 16th anniversary, and with it, we unveil our artistic vision:“Duck Grooves: The Sound of Jazz,” is an electrifying celebration of jazz’s dynamic, ever-evolving nature, set against the stunning backdrop of the Currituck Sound. It’s a fusion of past, present, and future, where the timeless traditions of jazz intersect with the vibrancy of new, innovative sounds. Just as the sound of jazz flows and adapts, so too does the landscape of Duck where the rhythm of the music harmonizes with the natural beauty of the water and the surrounding environment. The 2025 event will begin with a Concert on the Green style event, on Saturday, October 11, 2025 from 4 – 6 p.m. Return to the park on Sunday, October 12, 2025, to enjoy a full day of music during this free, non-ticketed festival showcasing national, regional and local jazz musicians on two stages. Gates open at 10:00 a.m. with live music starting at 11:00 a.m. and food and soft drinks available for purchase from Duck eateries. Chairs are available for rent on-site from Just for the Beach. The festival takes place rain or shine. Attendees are invited to bring food, coolers, chairs, blankets, and well-behaved dogs. The Duck Town Park is smoke-free. Please no umbrellas or tents during the Duck Jazz Festival. This allows all attendees an unobstructed view. Videotaping of the performances is prohibited. Plastic, aluminum, and glass recycling are available onsite. However, for the safety of our volunteers, please consider taking your glass home with you to recycle. This year jazz-related events leading up to the main event include a Children’s Storytime and Rhythm Play, a performance by the Elizabeth City State University Choir, a Movie on the Green featuring Back to the Future, a Community Concert on the Green and a Live Jam at the Bluepoint. Live music and special activities will be taking place around town at Duck businesses. For event updates, follow Duck Jazz Festival on Facebook and Twitter, and use #duckjazz on your posts and pictures. Get involved! This event is not possible without the amazing support of our volunteers and community members. You don’t have to live in Duck to join the fun! Online volunteer registration for the 2025 festival will be available in late summer. Contact Betsy Trimble, volunteer coordinator, for more info at btrimble@townofduck.com or 252-255-1234. Visit duckjazz.com for more information and be sure to follow our social media pages! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DuckJazzFestival Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/townofduck/ X: https://x.com/duckjazzfest Thursday, October 09 Town Park 6:00 PM Voices and Virtuosos: The History of Women in Jazz, an educational lecture led by Dr. Kelsey Klotz, Assistant Professor of Musicology at the University of Maryland Friday, October 10 9 A.M. Paul F. Keller Meeting Hall Children’s Jazz Story Time and Rhythm Play with Ascencion Music Academy Sunset, Town Green Movie on the Green presented by Carolina Designs Realty; “Sing” will be shown on the lawn Saturday, October 11 4 P.M. Town Green Community Kick- Off Concert featuring Adam Hawley Sunday, October 12 10:00 AM Gates Open 11:00 AM Music Starts MAIN STAGE 11:00 AM Shayna Steele 1:10 PM Gerald Veasley 3:25 PM Brass Queens 5:25 PM Tito Puente, Jr. Amphitheater 12:10 PM First Flight High School Honors Jazz Band 2:20 PM David Esleck Trio ft. Jordan Garrett 4:30 PM The Hot Lanes with Bobby Jasinski