Summer in Carlsbad means TGIF Jazz in the Parks – a tradition that has truly become an integral part of the community’s life. Presented by the City of Carlsbad’s Cultural Arts Office, the concert series began in 1986. Back then, four concerts were held, with about 150 people at each. Nowadays… well, let’s just say there are a few more folks out there enjoying each performance!

But there’s still room, so come out to a concert and join in the fun. You’ll find great music, plenty of room to dance, beautiful park settings for picnicking, free shuttle buses, fun hands-on art activities for the kids – it’s the best in community programming. And it’s free.

The annual concert season begins in late June and continues every Friday evening through mid-August. Concerts begin at 6 p.m. and end at 8 p.m.

The schedule of parks and bands for the upcoming season is posted by May 1. You can get more information about our locations, rules and regulations, how to volunteer or donate, and much more by clicking on the links below.

• TGIF Jazz in the Parks concert schedule
• TGIF Jazz in the Parks concert band information
• Directions, parking and shuttles
• Concert do's and don'ts: your guide to a great concert experience
• Art at Jazz: a fun, hands-on, art-making activity for youth
• The Opportunity Drawings, organized by Carlsbad Friends of the Arts
• Volunteer at Jazz

Band managers seeking to submit their ensembles for consideration as concert performers at TGIF must follow a specific process.

• TGIF Jazz in the Parks: Performance Application Procedures