Sylvie Courvoisier, left, and Mary Halvorson will perform at JazzFest White Plains on September 26, 2026. Photo by ©Veronique Hoegger
Celebrate worldclass jazz and great dining over five days of concerts at JazzFest White Plains from September 23 to 27.
JazzFest White Plains brings 19 live performances to downtown, showcasing five GRAMMY-winning and nominated headliners like bass icon John Patitucci, saxophonist Ben Wendel, and pianist Nat Adderley Jr.
While most events are free and major headliners take the stage at ArtsWestchester’s gallery, the music is only half the feast; downtown’s dynamic food scene turns this milestone festival into a full-sensory experience.
Wednesday kicks off the festival’s outdoor energy at the White Plains Farmers Market. For the noon performance by the Matthias Schmidt Quartet, swing by George’s Wood Fire Pizza, serving up artisan margherita and loaded vegetable pies with blistered, smokey crusts every Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
On Thursday at 5:30 p.m., match the groove-driven vibrations of Butter and Company at Chazz Palminteri’s with a classic Italian feast. Start with the creamy buffalo mozzarella caprese paired with sweet roasted peppers, then indulge in the calamari siciliana—tender sautéed calamari, baby scallops, pine nuts, cherry peppers, capers, and Gaea olives over spaghetti in a delicate tomato sauce.
Saturday’s headliner 3 p.m. set by avant-garde duo Sylvie Courvoisier and Mary Halvorson pairs perfectly with a meal at Freebird Kitchen & Bar, where the Brian Carter Quartet will also play from 5 to 6:15 p.m. that evening. Treat yourself to lump crab cakes with a crisp shaved vegetable salad and tarragon aioli, followed by a succulent grilled pork chop glazed in peach-infused BBQ sauce, served with roasted broccoli and buttery mashed potatoes.
The festival culminates with Sunday Jazz Alfresco, a grand outdoor celebration taking over Mamaroneck Avenue. Fuel up for the day-long show from noon to 7:30 p.m. with a stop at Lilly’s for their famous Breakfast Banh Mi—a mouth-tingling stack of pork belly, a fried egg, pickled jalapenos, veggies, garlic citrus aioli, and cilantro, served with crisp French fries. If you prefer classic brunch fare, step next door to The Brazen Fox for hashed sweet potatoes topped with poached eggs and creamy avocado.
Produced by ArtsWestchester, the City of White Plains, and the White Plains BID—and presented by Montefiore Einstein— JazzFest White Plains is an all-ages event. The full line-up is posted on ArtsWestchester’s website.