The 2026 Burlington Discover Jazz Festival: What to Expect and How to Get There Hassle Free

If you love jazz, June in Burlington Vermont is not something you want to miss. For 43 years the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival has been filling this city with music and in 2026 it is bigger and better than ever. 

The 2026 Burlington Discover Jazz Festival runs June 3 to 7 and this year the lineup is something else. World class headliners. Dozens of free performances. Five days of music across the entire city. And if you are flying in for it, a burlington airport taxi from Star Cab gets you from BTV to the action in minutes.

At Star Cab we have been serving Burlington visitors since 2006. Every June jazz fans trust us to get them from Burlington International Airport straight to the festival without any stress. This guide covers everything you need to know about the 2026 festival and exactly how to get there. 

What Is the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival?

Forty-three years. That is how long this festival has been running. And it has never felt more alive than it does right now.

The Burlington Discover Jazz Festival is produced by the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts and presented by Vermont Tire with Nokian Tyres. It has one central belief. Jazz belongs to everyone. That is why most of the events across the five days are completely free.

The 2026 festival is curated by Jason Moran. He is a MacArthur Fellow, a Doris Duke Artist and the former Artistic Director for Jazz at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. He has collaborated with Kara Walker, Julie Mehretu and even composed the score for Ava DuVernay’s Selma. He is not just a musician. He is a force.

His vision for 2026 is jazz as a living American art form rooted in Black creative tradition. Deeply communal. Deeply human. He put it best himself. “This music is built on community reflection and deep listening. I know Vermont will be all ears.”

Who Is Performing at the 2026 Burlington Discover Jazz Festival?

This is what everyone wants to know. Here is the full picture.

Ticketed shows available at flynnvt.org or call 802-863-5966. Flynn members get early access. 

Special Performances Around Burlington

• Late Night at Big Joe’s, June 3 to 6: Domo Branch Quartet Late Night Residency every night in partnership with Jazz at Lincoln Center followed by open jam sessions. Free entry. Big Joe’s in Flynn Space.
• Student Bands on Church Street, June 3 to 5: 44 bands from 38 area schools featuring 993 students performing across three days. Completely free.
• Skate Jam with Jason Moran and The Bandwagon, June 6: Free event at A-Dog Skatepark.
• Coldblooded On Ice directed by Alicia Hall Moran, June 7: Free event at Leddy Park Arena.
• Sun Ra Documentary Film , June 7: Screening at Main Street Landing Film House. Tickets $12.
• Performances Around Town all week: The 126, Radio Bean, American Flatbread, Zero Gravity, Skinny Pancake Waterfront, Burlington City Arts, Lucky You and Santiago’s. Full schedule at flynnvt.org/bdjf.

What to Know Before You Arrive at Each Venue

Flynn Main Stage

153 Main Street Burlington Vermont 05401. This is where the ticketed headline shows happen. Flynn members get priority access.

Waterfront Park

Free admission. First come first served. Two entrances on the north and south side of the park. Food trucks include El Gato, Church Street Cheesesteaks, Pingala Broccoli Bar, Stowe Cider BBQ, Ali Baba’s and South End Sliders. There is a water refill station inside. No ATMs. Pre-paid parking is available at Marketplace Parking Garage for $15 after 5pm on festival days. No walking back alone late at night. Just door to door.

Big Joe’s in Flynn Space

Late night venue. Free entry. Domo Branch Quartet every night June 3 to 6 followed by open jams. 

Church Street and Around Town

Student bands June 3 to 5. Multiple venue performances all week. Burlington basically becomes a jazz city for five days. Everywhere you turn there is music.

How Far Is Burlington International Airport From the Jazz Festival?

Burlington International Airport, known as BTV, is approximately 3 to 5 miles from downtown Burlington and the Flynn Center. In normal traffic that is about 10 minutes by taxi.

Here is the thing about driving yourself to the festival. Parking near the venues is limited. The Marketplace Parking Garage fills up fast on waterfront nights. Late night pickup from a packed parking garage after Mavis Staples is not the way you want to end your evening.

A Burlington airport taxi with Star Cab solves all of this. We pick you up at BTV and drop you at the Flynn door. And when the last note plays we are there to bring you home. No parking. No walking in the dark. No stress.

Why Star Cab Is the Best Way to Get to the 2026 Burlington Jazz Festival?

Star Cab has been part of Burlington since 2006. Every jazz festival season our drivers make sure visitors get from BTV to the music without any hassle.

We are not a rideshare app. We are a proper burlington taxi service with regulated meters, background checked drivers and vehicles that are always clean and well maintained.

3 Minutes From BTV Airport

Star Cab is located literally 3 minutes from Burlington International Airport. The moment your flight lands we are already close. No surge pricing. No cancelled rides. No app errors. Just a reliable Burlington airport taxi waiting for you.

Gate Greeting With Your Name

When you book with Star Cab your driver arrives at the gate with a clearly written sign showing your name. Your luggage is handled at no extra charge. And we monitor your flight so if it lands early or runs late we are still there on time.

This is what real professional airport service looks like.

Available 24 Hours Including Late Festival Nights

Star Cab provides 24 hour taxi burlington vt service 365 days per year. No exceptions.

Waterfront performances run until 10:45pm on Friday and 10:30pm on Saturday. Big Joe’s goes even later. Whatever time the music ends Star Cab is there to bring you back. You should not have to worry about transport at 11pm after an incredible night of jazz. With Star Cab you never have to.

Fleet for Every Group Size

Are you a solo traveler? A couple? Group of friends? We have SUVs, sedans, vans and minivans. Whatever your group size, we have the right vehicle. And all our drivers know Burlington inside out. No getting lost. No wrong turns. Just a smooth ride straight to wherever you need to go.

City Regulated Rates

Star Cab rates are regulated by the City of Burlington and the State of Vermont. No surge pricing on busy festival nights. No last-minute price changes. The rate you agree on is the rate you pay. We also offer flat rates for out of town destinations and a 20 percent discount for seniors and students.

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Planning Burlington VT to Stowe VT Around the Jazz Festival

A lot of visitors do not just come for the jazz. They come for Vermont 

The Burlington vt to stowe vt drive is approximately 35 miles and about 45 minutes by car. Stowe is Vermont’s most famous mountain town. Hiking, cycling, Ben and Jerry’s factory tour, the Stowe Recreation Path. It is a completely different experience from Burlington but just as beautiful.

Many jazz festival visitors fly into BTV, catch the festival in Burlington and then head to Stowe for a few days in the mountains before flying home. Star Cab handles both ends. We offer out of town flat rates for the Burlington vt to stowe vt journey. Book your Burlington to Stowe transfer at the same time as your airport pickup and the whole thing is sorted before you even leave home.

Call 802-238-4135 to arrange everything in advance.

Practical Tips for First Time Jazz Festival Visitors

A few things worth knowing before you go.

Book your Star Cab airport taxi in advance by calling 802-238-4135. Festival week is busy and early bookings get priority.

Arrive early for waterfront performances. Gates open at 4:30pm Friday and 4:00pm Saturday. First come first served and popular spots fill up fast.

Bring chairs and blankets for the waterfront. They are encouraged and make a huge difference for a long evening of music.

Waterfront alcohol is card only. No cash is accepted. Bring your card.

The festival runs rain or shine. Pack a light layer and a small umbrella just in case.

No pets at the waterfront. Plan accordingly.

Student bands on Church Street June 3 to 5 are completely free and genuinely excellent. Do not miss them.

What Customers Say About Star Cab on Google

Star Cab of Vermont is rated 3.9 stars across 89 Google reviews. Here is what real customers are saying on Google.

Rick Dagless – 5 Stars: “Star Cab is my go-to when I need a ride to or from the airport. Not only is Youness reliable, prompt and a safe driver, he is caring and kind. Starting a trip with a ride from Youness is like having a friend see you off on your journey.”

Ed Harris – 5 Stars: “I use Star Cab regularly for rides to and from Burlington airport and Youness is reliable, on-time, and easy to communicate with, even when flights are delayed or plans change. Highly recommend it!”

Hayley Cimler – 5 Stars: “I can always count on Youness when I need to go to the airport, or just for a night out with friends. On time, friendly, safe. Highly recommend it if you need a reliable and consistent taxi.” 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I get from Burlington Airport to the Burlington Jazz Festival?

Star Cab provides Burlington airport taxi service from BTV to downtown Burlington in approximately 10 minutes. Located just 3 minutes from the airport, Star Cab monitors your flight and meets you at the gate with a name sign and luggage assistance. 

2. Is the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival free?

Most events are completely free. All Waterfront Park performances including Mavis Staples, Tank and The Bangas, Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Ruthie Foster are free on June 5 and 6. Flynn Main Stage headline shows are ticketed and available at flynnvt.org. Late night sessions at Big Joe’s and student band shows on Church Street are also free.

3. Does Star Cab operate late at night during the festival?

Yes. Star Cab provides 24 hour taxi burlington vt service every single day of the year. Waterfront performances run until 10:45pm Friday and 10:30pm Saturday. Late night sessions at Big Joe’s go even further. Star Cab is there whenever you need a ride home.

4. Can Star Cab take me from Burlington VT to Stowe VT?

Absolutely. Star Cab offers flat rates for the Burlington vt to stowe vt journey of approximately 35 miles and 45 minutes. Many jazz festival visitors extend their trip to Stowe after the festival. Call 802-238-4135  to book your Burlington to Stowe transfer in advance.

5. What makes Star Cab the best Burlington taxi service for festival visitors?

Star Cab has been providing Burlington taxi service since 2006. Fully registered with Burlington International Airport, the City of Burlington and the State of Vermont, Star Cab offers gate greeting, flight monitoring, luggage assistance, 24-hour availability and city regulated rates with no surge pricing which is the most reliable professional taxi option for jazz festival visitors.

Book Your Burlington Jazz Festival Taxi With Star Cab Today

Five incredible days. World class artists. Most of it is completely free. 

Star Cab has been making that easy since 2006. From BTV to Flynn in 10 minutes. Gate greeting. Flight monitoring. 24 hour service with regulated rates and clean comfortable vehicles for every group size.

Call +1 802-238-4135 or visit starcabvt.com to book your burlington airport taxi now.

The music starts June 3. Be there.