Berks Jazz Fest Guide
March 16, 2022
This Blog is a Berks Jazz Fest Guide
Swing Into Spring at the Berks Jazz Fest
1- What Is Berks Jazz Fest?
The Berks Jazz Fest is a highly anticipated event in the Lancaster area. It was created by the Berks Art Council and has entertained locals and tourists alike for more than three decades. Each year, the festival brings together the best Jazz artists from all around the world and showcases their talents in the quaint town of Reading.
2- What You Will See at Berks Jazz Fest
The festival features more than 130 performances in various styles of music, including Jazz, blues, and R&B. The event has also welcomed many iconic bands over the years! Highlights include Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Eric Darius featuring Rebecca Jade, Najee with special guests Bobby Lyle and Chris Walker, and Bela Fleck: My Bluegrass Heart. One of the coolest tickets (in our humble opinion) are the "Jams"! During these sessions, a whole slew of the artists who have performed during the day or scheduled for future days, gather together, and as the name suggests, they JAM! You never know what you'll see during these Berks Jazz Fest sessions, but you do know you're in for an amazing experience.
3- Berks Jazz Fest Venue Locations
The Berks Jazz Fest has grown over the years and now has "Major Concerts" scheduled at 7 downtown Reading venues.
- DoubleTree by Hilton Reading | 701 Penn Street, Reading, PA 19601
- Miller Center for the Arts | 4 N. 2nd Street, Reading, PA 19601
- Santander Performing Arts Center | 136 North 6th Street Reading PA 19601
- Scottish Rite Cathedral | 430 S. 7th Avenue West Reading PA 19611
- WCR Center for the Arts | 140 N. 5th Street Reading, PA 19601
- Radisson Hotel Reading | 1740 Papermill Road, Wyomissing, PA 19610
- Yocum Institute for Arts Education | 3000 Penn Ave, West Lawn, PA 19609
CLICK HERE for a seating chart for Berks Jazz Fest venues that have assigned seating
4- Buying Your Berks Jazz Fest Tickets
The Berks Jazz Fest has two ways to purchase your tickets:
1) In person: Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest Box Office, Santander Arena
700 Penn Street, Reading, PA 19602
Box Office Hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
2) Online: Ticketmaster
CLICK HERE for Berks Jazz Fest / Ticketmaster Page
5 - Local Events Schedule
In addition to the "Major Concerts" scheduled during the Berks Jazz Fest, a number of small bars, restaurants and music venues have gotten into the act and scheduled their own related performances during the week! You can enjoy everything from the "First Friday Downtown Block Party" (downtown Reading) and David Cullen (performing at the Beer Wall on Penn) to Inner Urge (performing at the Reading Distilling Guild) and Dirk Quinn Band (performing at the Nitro Bar).
CLICK HERE for the full Berks Jazz Fest Local Events Schedule.
6 - The Art of Jazz Exhibition
Expand your horizons during the Berks Jazz Fest and discover how Jazz has influenced art! The Art of Jazz exhibition offers a platform for a range of media (like paintings, photographs, sculpture, and crafts) to promote this style of music and celebrate its legacy. The exhibit takes place at the Rolf and Renate Schmidt Gallery on the second floor of the GoggleWorks Center of the Arts.
EXHIBIT DATES: The exhibition runs March 12 – April 13, 2022 in the Schmidt Gallery, 2nd Floor of the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts. (Show may also be held in virtual format)
COST & ENTRY: Entry fee is $40 for first artwork, $5 each additional, up to 3 artwork pieces total. High school students and younger enter free of charge.
7 - Treat Yourself to a B&B Stay as Unique as the Music!
You can browse our variety of rooms and choose the one that fits your needs! If you’re traveling with your significant other, then the one of our King Suites is the perfect pick. They're ideal for a romantic getaway and features a King-size, a private bathroom with either a Jacuzzi tub or a large frameless-glass rain shower, a kitchen or kitchenette and seating area. Enjoy quiet, comfort, and bliss while staying here!
After the jazz festival, get a good night’s sleep and wake up to the sound of birds chirping right outside your window. Then, follow the smell of coffee downstairs where our freshly made breakfast awaits! You’ll taste the best products from our local farms. We recommend our signature homemade granola and our hot entrée of the day. Indulge in cheese frittatas or bananas Foster pancakes to start the day!
This Blog is a Berks Jazz Fest Guide
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