2016 Winter Blues Jazz Fest

This popular four-day jazz festival is back and better than ever! It will take place once again January 14-17,2016, over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, with the Festival Headquarters tent in Merchant's Square in downtown Williamsburg. Additional venues include the Williamsburg Winery, Muscarelle Museum of Art, the Williamsburg Lodge, the Williamsburg Art Gallery, and many of the area's best local restaurants. The over-riding goal is to provide an enriching and entertaining weekend full of jazz programs with options available to suit all tastes and budgets. The Winter Blues Jazz Fest has a little something for everyone.

Kicking things off on Thursday, January 14, the Williamsburg Winery will set the scene for the festival opening celebration, featuring Good Shot Judy and their Little Big Band.

Friday will deliver Jazz Jam, featuring 2 unique jazz bands that will individually perform, then come together for an exciting "jam session" with some of the area's best musicians joining in. Those that don't want the party to end can walk across the street to the new Williamsburg Art Gallery for a swanky, late-night jazz club experience.

Saturday's event lineup will be simply unforgettable. Start off at the DoG Street Pub Firkin Fest, featuring live blues music on two stages and a fine collection of cask ale.

Alternatively, wine lovers can hit the "Art of Jazz" event, which will turn the famed Muscarelle Museum into a jumpin' jazz joint. Then head over to the Williamsburg Lodge for Mixology & Music, featuring a mixology cocktail sampling and a high-energy, live music performance by festival headliners, Davina & the Vagabonds.

Finally, cap off this stellar weekend with a Jazz Brunch, followed by a free community concert.

Make the most of the weekend by staying at the Williamsburg Lodge. They have offered festival attendees a deeply discounted rate. Simply click here or call 800-261-9530 and mention booking code: 39874.

Event Overview

The event will be a four-day jazz festival centered in the downtown Williamsburg area on January 14-17, 2016 over the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend. There will be a main tented area in the Merchant’s Square area and other venues will include the Williamsburg Winery, the Muscarelle Museum of Art, the Williamsburg Lodge, Williamsburg Art Gallery, and many local restaurant establishments. The aim for the event is to involve as many different local entities as possible; including returning corporate sponsor Chesapeake Bank, the City of Williamsburg and the Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance as our marketing partners, local businesses, local musicians, and the hospitality industry at large.

Event Goals

• To provide enriching and entertaining jazz programs with options available to suit all tastes and budgets;

• To illuminate the legacy of jazz greats, like Virginia native Ella Fitzgerald;

• To provide jazz education programs;

• To further enhance Williamsburg, VA as a vibrant cultural destination with year-round programming; and

• To boost economic development and tourism.