Holidays present a time to reconnect with family. For fans of blues and jazz, there may be no better way to do this than to attend a holiday festival. San Diego features at least three blues and jazz festivals commemorating American holidays.
The Dixieland Jazz Festival will celebrate its 31st Thanksgiving in 2010. Featuring jazz musicians from around the globe, the four-day event hosts dozens of shows in venues ranging from the large (with room to dance) to smaller, more intimate performance rooms. All types of jazz are represented, from traditional to Dixieland to swing. An annual Thanksgiving Day buffet features champagne, salads, stuffing, mashed potatoes, turkey, desserts and more, served in holiday fashion. In 2010, the buffet cost about $30 a person and $17 per child. The festival is hosted by the Dixieland Jazz Society of San Diego.
Thanksgiving Dixieland Jazz Festival
Town & Country Hotel and Convention Center
500 Hotel Circle North
San Diego, CA 92108
619-297-5277
dixielandjazzfestival.org
Lovers of blues and crawfish need look no further than the annual Zydeco Blues and Crawfish Festival held over Mother's Day weekend. The event features more than 70 blues acts and more than 8,000 pounds of crawfish. Other festival offerings include a film screening as part of Zydeco Film Festival, swing dancing lessons and weekend dance parties. In 2010, ticket prices were about $20-$25 per day or $65 for the entire festival. Children 17 and under were offered free admission with a paid adult.
Gator by the Bay Zydeco Blues & Crawfish Festival
3500 North Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92101
619-234-8612
sandiegofestival.com
Held every Memorial Day weekend, the KiFM Jazz Festival is the largest one-day jazz celebration in San Diego. More than 25 locations across the city celebrate by sponsoring jazz musicians throughout the day. Drinks and food vendors can be found throughout the streets of the festival, and also are sold at many of the clubs and restaurants sponsoring performances. Guests must be 21 years of age or older, and ticket prices cost $40 for the entire day as of 2010.
Gaslamp KiFM Jazz Festival
Gaslamp Tavern
868 5th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101-6108
877-772-5425
gaslamp.org/kifm-jazz-festival
