Hampton Jazz Festival Returns With Iconic 2025 Lineup
Anthony Hamilton, Patti LaBelle, Keith Sweat, and more to headline the festival’s rebrand and 55th anniversary celebration.
A New Era of the Hampton Jazz Festival Is Here
The Hampton Jazz Festival is turning 55 and pulling up with more soul, history, and star power than ever before. From June 27–29, 2025, the legendary event returns to the Hampton Coliseum — but this time, it’s rocking a fresh identity and a stacked, multigenerational lineup that celebrates R&B, jazz, gospel, and the icons who shaped Black music.
Co-presented by the City of Hampton, Hampton University, and The Black Promoters Collective, this year’s festival isn’t just business as usual. It’s a whole transformation. What started in 1968 as a one-time celebration of Hampton University’s 100th anniversary has evolved into a cultural pillar — a must-attend summer ritual for soul lovers nationwide.
This year’s refresh blends nostalgia with now. Whether you’ve been pulling up since the Maze & Frankie Beverly days or you’re discovering the magic through the new generation of soulful voices, Hampton is the place to be. Let’s get into the weekend lineup and what this rebirth really means.
Friday, June 27: Soul for the New School
Opening night sets the tone with smooth vocals, buttery harmonies, and grown-folk energy that still manages to slap.
Anthony Hamilton is leading the pack with his Southern drawl and raw storytelling. Expect emotion, range, and that classic “Charlene” energy that still hits.
Lucky Daye, the new-age crooner repping New Orleans, brings a futuristic R&B style that fuses well with the fest’s roots.
PJ Morton, another NOLA-bred talent, adds church-trained vocals, vintage instrumentation, and Grammy-winning melodies.
Lalah Hathaway, daughter of Donny but a legend in her own right, rounds out the evening with deep tones and unmatched musicality.
This Friday lineup feels like grown folks meeting Gen Z in the middle — a bridge between classic soul and future R&B.
Saturday, June 28: The Night of Legacy Acts
Saturday is tailor-made for the lovers, the steppers, and the diehard ‘90s heads.
Keith Sweat headlines with his patented slow jam catalog. The man made begging sexy, and he’s still got it.
SWV brings back the harmonies that defined an era. “Weak” still crushes hearts — don’t lie.
Maze Honoring Frankie Beverly carries the torch for the OGs. Their name might be updated, but the groove is timeless.
Jeff Bradshaw & Maysa combine smooth jazz with soulful vocals, creating a moment for real music lovers.
Mike Phillips on the sax? That’s the perfect blend of jazz, funk, and flair.
Saturday is about honoring the classics — and it proves that R&B and jazz don’t age, they mature.
Sunday, June 29: The Queens Take the Stage
There’s “can’t-miss” and then there’s Sunday night.
Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, and Stephanie Mills on one stage? That’s a once-in-a-lifetime vocal lineup. Each of these women could headline the festival solo. Together? It’s a soul revival.
Damien Escobar, the street-trained violinist with symphony-level skills, will set the stage with emotional, genre-bending vibes.
Sunday will be less about turning up and more about bearing witness to greatness. The vocals will be big. The crowd will be emotional. History will be made.
A Strategic Rebrand for the Culture
This isn’t just a lineup glow-up — it’s a full brand elevation. The addition of The Black Promoters Collective signals a major shift in how legacy festivals can stay culturally relevant without abandoning their roots.
It’s rare to see multi-day music festivals pivot with such care. But Hampton’s rebrand leans into innovation while preserving the DNA that built its name. The move to rename it the Hampton Jazz & Music Festival reflects a broader embrace of genres and a refusal to box in Black musical excellence.
This year’s execution shows what happens when long-standing institutions trust culturally fluent partners to expand the vision. The vibe is more inclusive, more dynamic, and designed to engage both day-ones and first-timers.
What You Need to Know
Presale for American Express cardholders starts Wednesday, April 16 at 10AM EST. Public tickets go live on Friday, April 18 at 10AM EST via Ticketmaster or directly at the Hampton Coliseum box office. Prices range from $69.50 to $169.50, offering solid options for all budget levels.
The festival venue, Hampton Coliseum, is located at 1000 Coliseum Drive in Hampton, VA. Doors open one hour before each show — get there early, secure your merch, and don’t sleep on concessions.
Final Thoughts: Why Hampton Still Hits
The Hampton Jazz & Music Festival isn’t just another music weekend. It’s a celebration of legacy, sound, and soul. In a time where algorithm-driven lineups dominate the festival space, Hampton dares to celebrate Black excellence with intention.
This isn’t Coachella with a dash of Black — this is Black music, center stage, with all its emotion, elegance, and edge.
Whether you’re coming for the legends, the love songs, or the live instruments, this festival offers what few others can — heart. Hampton doesn’t follow trends. It writes its own story.
And in 2025, it’s writing a new chapter.
