Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival

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MusicDavenport
DatesDates TBA · Usually AugustCheck locally before booking
DurationSummerEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLive music, late nightsTwo ritual elements set this festival apart
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival in Davenport

Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival is a three-day traditional and Dixieland jazz festival in Davenport, run by the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Society since 1972 and held the first weekend of August. It honors Davenport-born jazz cornetist Bix Beiderbecke with performances from bands worldwide, a graveside tribute, and a Sunday jazz liturgy service.

Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival traces its origin to a single, spontaneous act of tribute: in 1971, bandleader Bill Donahoe brought his Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Band to Davenport to play live at Beiderbecke's grave on the fortieth anniversary of the cornetist's death in 1931.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Two ritual elements set this festival apart from a standard jazz booking: a Saturday morning tribute where jazz is performed live over Beiderbecke's grave at Oakdale Memorial Cemetery, and a Sunday morning jazz liturgy service at First Presbyterian Church, the Beiderbecke family's home church, blending genuine religious observance with musical tribute

02

The mystery stays covered

The festival's origin traces to 1971, when bandleader Bill Donahoe brought his own Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Band to play at the grave on the fortieth anniversary of Beiderbecke's death, a spontaneous tribute that formalized into the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Society the following year

03

The city starts moving

Considered one of the largest traditional jazz festivals in the country, it now draws bands from around the world to perform primarily at the Rhythm City Casino Resort Event Center

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The Saturday morning graveside tribute

Water and renewal

Living ritual

live jazz performed at Bix Beiderbecke's grave in the family plot at Oakdale Memorial Cemetery

The sacred route

Living ritual

is the festival's most distinctive and solemn recurring ritual

The local code

Living ritual

connecting the modern music festival directly back to its founding moment in 1971

Tradition 5

Living ritual

The Sunday morning jazz liturgy service at First Presbyterian Church

Tradition 6

Living ritual

the Beiderbecke family's home congregation

Tradition 7

Living ritual

extends that same spirit of respectful tribute into a formal religious setting

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually August

Getting around

For Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival, plan transport around the exact Davenport venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Casual summer clothing suits most of the festival's climate-controlled indoor venue, while the outdoor graveside tribute and any riverfront portions call for light, breathable clothing given...

Safety

Keep phone power, water, and a clear meeting point sorted before the main crowd arrives.

Where to stay

For Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival, stay near the part of Davenport you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Ticketing varies by venue and stage. Confirm official passes before booking travel.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map41.52 N, 90.58 WOpen in Google Maps

Davenport, IA

Nearest airportMLI — Quad City
TransportFor Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival, plan transport around the exact Davenport venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival, stay near the part of Davenport you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Davenport via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Davenport, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for August.Compare faresFestival gearCasual summer clothing suits most of the festival's climate-controlled indoor venue, while the outdoor graveside tribute and any riverfront portions call for light, breathable clothing given early-August heat and humidity.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival?

Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival is listed for August · Summer. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Davenport, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Summer is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Needs editorial review. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Davenport, IA

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLAwaiting confirmation
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually August
Source statusNeeds editorial review
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