Tips & Restrictions

The following is information to help make your Capital Jazz Fest experience more enjoyable. Enjoy the show and have a great time!

Suggested Items to Bring to the Festival

  • Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen — to protect you on sunny days.
  • Portable phone charger — and don’t forget to fully charge your phone before you depart for the festival.
  • Tote bag — to carry your souvenirs, gifts, and belongings. Note that all bags are subject to inspection prior to entry.
  • Cash — to purchase souvenirs. Some festival vendors in the Festival Marketplace may not accept credit cards.
  • Credit card — As of 2021, the food and beverage concessions and box office at Merriweather Post Pavilion are “cashless”. Only credit or debit cards will be accepted for purchases. Note that other vendors at the festival may still accept cash.
  • Small rain umbrella or rain hat — in case of showers.
  • Jacket, sweatshirt, and/or sweatpants — The outside temperature can drop significantly after sunset.
  • Schedule of Events — This can be printed and/or downloaded to your phone by clicking on the TALENT LINEUP link on this page.
  • Picnic Blanket — if you plan to sit on the grass. (Maximum size allowed is ten feet wide)
  • Tickets — If you’ve pre-purchased tickets, don’t forget to bring them with you! If your tickets are being held at will call, plan to arrive early to allow time to pick up your tickets. To see box office hours, click on the TICKET INFORMATION link on this page. If you’ve purchased electronic tickets from Ticketmaster, be sure to download them to your phone prior to arriving at the festival. Festival tickets often sell out prior to show day, so you are advised to purchase tickets in advance.
  • Photo ID — If your tickets are being held at will call, you will need to show a photo ID of the person who purchased the tickets.
  • Capital Jazz clothing — Get into the Capital Jazz Fest spirit by wearing your vintage Capital Jazz Fest shirt or hat to the festival!
  • Comfortable pair of shoes — since you may be doing lots of walking throughout the day.
  • Comfortable clothes — Dress for the weather.
  • Binoculars — if you’re seated far from the stage.

What NOT to Bring to the Festival

The following items are prohibited at the Capital Jazz Fest:

  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Tents or canopies wider than 10 feet
  • Blankets or canvases wider than 10 feet
  • Glass bottles or glass containers
  • Camera sticks (aka “selfie sticks”)
  • Camcorders
  • Professional audio/video recording equipment
  • Drones
  • Portable radios or “boom boxes”
  • Laser pointers
  • Pets
  • Grills
  • Open flames
  • Firearms
  • Bicycles

Items that are Permitted

The following items are permitted at the festival.

NOTE: The Capital Jazz Fest is a special event at Merriweather Post Pavilion. Items that are permitted at the festival may or may not be permitted at other Merriweather shows.

  • Coolers, picnic baskets, knapsacks, and tote bags — allowable, but are subject to inspection prior to entry. If you have purchased a Pavilion seat, your cooler or basket must fit under your seat. Note that food and beverages will be available for purchase at the festival concession areas.
  • Lawn chairs — allowable on the lawn only. Must be no higher than 36″ from the ground. Taller or larger lawn chairs are restricted to the rear of the lawn seating areas of both stages. Also note that no lawn chairs will be permitted on the Skylawn.
  • Tents, canopies, and beach umbrellas — Tents and canopies are allowable only in the Tent World area of the festival site. Beach umbrellas are only allowed on the Upper Lawn and in Tent World. Refer to the Festival Site Map for more info. Tents and canopies may be no wider than 10 feet. Tents and canopies are not allowed on the Upper Lawn or Lower Lawn. Beach umbrellas are not allowed on the Lower Lawn. All tents, canopies, and beach umbrellas must be removed at the end of each night’s show. Any tents, canopies, or umbrellas left overnight will be removed and discarded.
  • Beverages — Bottled water and soft drinks are allowed, provided they are in factory-sealed plastic bottles or cans. Glass bottles and alcoholic beverages may not be brought onto the festival site.

Additional Tips and Information

  • Buy early and save! — If you plan to purchase general admission/lawn tickets, be sure to take advantage of our early-bird discount. Buy your tickets early and save! Click on the TICKET INFORMATION link for more info.
  • Parking — Patrons driving to the festival must pre-select their parking zone before the show. Parking is included with your concert ticket. There is no additional cost to park. ADA accessible parking is available in Lots 2 and 4. Click here for a link to the parking map. Click here to reserve a parking spot.
  • Program Books — Once again this year, our official souvenir program book will only be available virtually. Upon entering the festival, look for one of the Program Book signs near the entry gates. Scan the QR code with your cell phone camera so you can download the book.
  • Official Souvenirs — Capital Jazz Fest souvenirs, including shirts and hats, can be purchased at either of the two official souvenir stands, located at the East and West Food Courts. Check the festival site map to see the location.
  • Smoking — County laws prohibit smoking in all areas of Merriweather Post Pavilion (outdoor and indoor).
  • No Re-Entry — The venue has a no re-entry policy. Once you depart the festival, you will not be permitted to re-enter. When entering the venue, please bring with you any items you may need during the course of the day (umbrella, sweatshirts, medication, etc.)
  • Counterfeit tickets — If purchasing festival tickets online, be sure to purchase them from Ticketmaster.com or Etix.com only. Unauthorized secondary market sources, such as ticket brokers and scalpers, often sell counterfeit tickets. Sites to avoid include, but are not limited to: VividSeats, SeatGeek, StubHub, TicketCity, TicketSupply, TicketSmarter, and FindTicketsFast. Neither Capital Jazz nor Merriweather Post Pavilion endorse using any secondary ticketing sources, and the Box Office will be unable to resolve any issues involving them. Patrons attempting to enter the festival with counterfeit tickets will be refused admission.
  • Which day to come? — If you’re still undecided on which days to attend the festival, why not make a weekend out of it and come all three days?
  • Bootleg merchandise — If you plan to purchase any Capital Jazz Fest souvenir merchandise, be sure to make your purchase only at an official festival souvenir booth on the festival grounds. Bootleggers often roam the festival grounds and parking lots selling unauthorized, inferior bootleg or counterfeit merchandise.
  • Weather — The festival is held rain or shine. Refunds will not be given in the event of inclement weather.
  • Children — Children age 2 and under are admitted free only when accompanied by an adult holding a general admission ticket. All patrons seated in reserved (Pavilion) seats must have a ticket, regardless of age.
  • Seat numbers on tickets — Although seat numbers may appear on General Admission tickets, they are for accounting and security purposes only. Reserved seats are not provided for patrons holding General Admission tickets. Only persons holding reserved (Pavilion) tickets will be admitted into the Pavilion seating area.
  • Accessible seating — Persons requiring mobility accessible seating should contact Ticketmaster at 800.877.7575. Persons requiring hearing or visually accessible seating should call Merriweather at 410.715.5550.
  • Drinking and driving — Drive safely and don’t drink and drive. Use a designated driver, if necessary.
  • Schedule changes — The festival’s talent lineup and schedule are subject to change without notice.