What the jazz festival is like
For one weekend in May the streets of San José del Cabo turn into an open-air stage. Entry is free and the organizers pitch it as a family event, which matches what you'll find: locals with kids and visitors wandering the old town with a drink in hand. In 2025 the music started at 5:30 PM on both evenings.
It's a low-key, easy night out rather than a big ticketed festival. If you like live music and a stroll with a drink, it's one of the nicer free things on the Los Cabos calendar.
Dates
Recent editions were May 23 and 24, 2025 and May 22 and 23, 2026, both a Friday and Saturday. Our estimate for 2027 is Friday May 21 and Saturday May 22, but treat that as a guess until the festival confirms on its website.
Late May is still inside the Thursday Art Walk season, so if you arrive midweek you can do the galleries on Thursday and the jazz on Friday and Saturday, all in the same few blocks of the historic center.
Tips
Late May is also shoulder season, so villa rates and flights are usually friendlier than winter. Our weather by month page shows what to expect.
- Arrive before sunset to get a spot near the main stage and a table for dinner
- Late May is hot; the evenings are pleasant, but bring water
- Wear comfortable shoes for the cobbled streets
- Carry some pesos for street food and drinks
Getting there and dinner
San José del Cabo is about 20 miles from Hacienda Beach Club; plan on 30 to 45 minutes by car. Street parking near the plaza fills fast on festival nights, so an Uber or a private driver is the better call; see getting around Cabo. For dinner, try Los Tamarindos earlier in the day or Mi Cocina at Casa Natalia on the plaza.