A New York City summer is practically synonymous with wandering through an outdoor food festival—but how does a plate of pork bao, tacos, or hot honey chicken wings paired with a side of world-class live jazz sound?
The NoMad Jazz Festival is returning for its second year this August, and it’s bringing a massive upgrade: a brand-new, one-day-only food market right alongside the mainstage.
Whether you’re looking for an all-day weekend hangout or a quick lunch break in the park, here’s everything to know about one of NYC’s best free summer events.
🍽️ What’s on the menu at the new food market
The biggest debut for 2026 is the NoMad Jazz Festival Food Market, taking over Broadway adjacent to Madison Square Park with iconic neighborhood bites at every price point.
Food Market Hours: Saturday, August 8 | 12 pm – 8 pm
Location: Broadway between 23rd & 24th Streets
Expect everything from savory handhelds to artisanal desserts from 9 top local vendors:
- Tacombi
- Bear Donut
- Eataly
- BLACKBARN
- Brown Bag Sandwich Co.
- Avo
- Honeybrains
- LenLen
- Lola’s
Bonus: The original Shake Shack inside Madison Square Park will also be open all weekend long serving up burgers, crinkle-cut fries, beer, and wine.
🎷 NYC’s newest summer tradition is bigger than ever
If you missed last year’s inaugural event, the NoMad Jazz Festival smashed attendance records in Madison Square Park, drawing tens of thousands of music lovers for a week of outdoor performances.
Produced by The NoMad Alliance, the festival pays homage to NoMad’s deep musical roots—from the historic birthplace of Tin Pan Alley to the Great American Songbook—while giving a platform to the next generation of jazz icons.
The festival runs for a full week, kicking off with neighborhood-wide pop-ups before culminating in two massive days of free outdoor concerts right on the lawn in Madison Square Park.
🎷 Who’s performing on the Mainstage?
The 2026 festival boasts over 200 performers—ranging from internationally acclaimed, award-winning jazz icons to rising talent from across NYC. Headlining the mainstage this year are José James and The Jazz Gallery All-Stars (featuring special guest Renée Neufville).
Here is the full Mainstage set times list for Madison Square Park:
Friday, August 7
- 12 pm — John Ellis & Double-Wide
- 6 pm — Ben Wendel
- 8 pm — José James (headliner)
Saturday, August 8
- 9:30 am — Swing-Along with Allegra Levy & Friends
- 10:30 am — South Bronx Charter School for International Culture & the Arts
- 12 pm— Godwin Louis
- 2 pm— Yuhan Su
- 4 pm — Jaleel Shaw featuring Camille Thurman
- 6 pm — George Cables
- 8 pm — The Jazz Gallery All-Stars featuring Renée Neufville (headliner)
🎈 Family activities & weeklong pop-ups
Can’t wait for the weekend? The festival actually kicks off earlier in the week with pop-up shows throughout the neighborhood.
- Family Day (Saturday, Aug 8): Saturday morning includes face painting, bubble activations, lawn games, and interactive family programming right in the park
- Festival Week (Aug 2–6): Free and ticketed pop-up performances across NoMad in local restaurants, retail spots, and public plazas (including the NoMad Piazza series and Rizzoli Bookstore)
📍 Essential Event Details
- When: Festival Week runs August 2–6 | Mainstage & Food Market run August 7–8, 2026
- Where: Madison Square Park & Broadway (23rd–24th Streets)
- Admission: 100% Free and open to all ages—no tickets or registration required for general admission
- Pro Tip: Pack a picnic blanket, grab food from the Broadway vendors, and claim your spot on the lawn early for the evening headliners!
Want guaranteed seats? While GA is completely free, VIP Passes are available starting at $300 (with early bird discounts). They get you reserved seating right near the stage, exclusive swag bags, and access to private restrooms—plus, purchases go directly toward keeping the event free for the public.