11th annual Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival produced by Blues to Green. The annual Springfield Jazz & Roots is a family-friendly free festival that amplifies Springfield’s rich culture, drawing thousands of visitors and serving as a catalyst for the city’s renaissance as a thriving cultural hub of the Pioneer Valley.
Second Line Parade
A NEW ORLEANS TRADITION IN HONOR OF CHARLES NEVILLE
For our 2024 celebration, the Second Line Parade will be led by the Community Music School of Springfield’s Sonido Musica students and faculty. Join us as we march through the streets of Springfield to the Main Stage!
Saturday, the historic Second Line Parade will leave from the steps of Springfield City Hall at 11:30 am sharp and dance its way through the streets until hitting Stearns Square and the Charles Neville Main Stage for the kick-off performance. All are welcome to join the parade and a passionate crowd with the Community School of Springfield students and faculty, and the general public. We create our own unique hybrid approach to the second line tradition.
The festival brings diverse people of all ages together outdoors in the heart of Springfield to enjoy the rich sounds of jazz, blues, gospel, funk, Afro-Cuban jazz, salsa and more from top tier performers. Our Jazz & Justice Speaker Series, a popular feature of the festival, explores the history and cultural roots of the music, the social contexts out of which it has risen, and issues of racial and climate justice.
The Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival takes place at Stearns Square and Tower Square Park area Friday night and Saturday.
Don’t let the rain deter you from coming to the festival. Grab your favorite umbrella and join us! If severe weather affects any part of the event, we will make announcements on-site, or you can check our social media for updates in real-time.
