Jazz in the Garden — Sculpture Garden Night

The National Gallery of Art will reopen its Friday-night Jazz in the Garden series on May 22 with a free concert in the Sculpture Garden, part of a 2026 season branded “American Sounds.” The museum said the series runs on Fridays through August 14, with no programs on June 5 or July 3. (nga.gov) Admission is free, but passes are being distributed through a lottery because of demand. The opening-night act is Oh He Dead, a Washington band the gallery describes as rooted in the city’s soul, funk and rock traditions. (nga.gov) ### When does the series start, and what is happening on opening night? Friday, May 22, is the first date on the 2026 schedule, according to the National Gallery of Art’s calendar. (tickets.nga.gov) The opening concert is set for 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Sculpture Garden. Oh He Dead will headline the opener, the gallery said on its event page. The band is billed as a five-piece act, and the museum said the performance will launch a season built around artists from across the country. ### Why is there a lottery instead of open walk-up entry? (nga.gov) The National Gallery of Art said passes are being distributed through a free lottery system because of high demand for the concerts. The lottery opens the week before each event, starts on Monday, and closes on Friday at noon. (nga.gov) Monday notifications determine who can register for passes, the gallery said. Selected entrants may register for up to four passes for a program. ### What does “American Sounds” mean for this year’s lineup? (nga.gov) The 2026 season is titled “Jazz in the Garden: American Sounds,” the gallery said in an April press release. The museum said the lineup is intended to reflect “the evolving landscape of American music.” May 22 through August 14, the series will feature acts spanning indie soul-funk, alternative bluegrass, salsa, jazz, rhythm and blues, blues, Americana and brass band music, according to the gallery. (tickets.nga.gov) The next scheduled performance after opening night is The Fly Birds on May 29. ### Where is the concert, and when can people enter? (tickets.nga.gov) The Sculpture Garden sits on the north side of the National Mall between 7th and 9th Streets Northwest, according to the National Gallery of Art. Entry begins at 5 p.m. through entrances at Madison Drive, Constitution Avenue or 7th Street. (nga.gov) The gallery’s event pages list the program as in-person and identify it as suitable for teens, adults and families. The museum also said some dates this season will include pre-show dance classes, including May 22 and May 29. (nga.gov) ### What should people know before trying to attend? Free admission does not mean guaranteed entry without registration, the gallery’s ticket page says. The museum directs visitors to enter the lottery in advance rather than expect open access at the gate. (nga.gov) Washingtonian included the concert in its May events coverage, pointing readers to the gallery for lottery details. The National Gallery’s own planning page carries the latest logistics for entry times, access points and other visitor guidance. (nga.gov) ### What comes next after May 22? May 29 is the next scheduled concert date, with The Fly Birds booked for a 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. performance in the Sculpture Garden, according to the gallery calendar. The lottery for that event opened on Monday, May 18, the museum said. (tickets.nga.gov) August 14 is the final listed date in the 2026 run, according to the National Gallery of Art. Registration information and schedule updates are posted through the museum’s Jazz in the Garden pages. (nga.gov) (nga.gov) (washingtonian.com)