The Clearwater Jazz Holiday has been one of the top Tampa Bay area events for decades on end. People come from all over to enjoy this featured jazz event in Clearwater Florida, which is free to the public. Held over the course of four days in October, the Clearwater Jazz Festival features some of the top jazz artists, not to mention some of the best jazz fans. If you consider yourself a fan of jazz, then you're bound to enjoy the Clearwater Jazz Holiday. When you're not listening to the music or enjoying any of the other festivities at this annual event, you can relax on a world-class beach, get your fill of shopping, and take advantage of everything else that a Clearwater getaway has to offer.

Some 30 years ago the Clearwater Jazz Holiday was born. The initial installment of this renowned jazz event in Clearwater Florida was a lot different than it is today. Some of the performances were held on the backs of flatbed trucks, for example. Today, the Clearwater Jazz Festival is held at beautiful Coachmen Park, which offers excellent acoustics. An open-air, waterfront venue, Coachman Park takes full advantage of the lovely Florida weather. It's usually pretty warm in Clearwater in October, so you should be comfortable while listening to the music.

If you're planning on heading over to Coachmen Park for the Clearwater Jazz Festival, you aren't likely to need a jacket. What you should bring, however, are a pair of sunglasses, a bottle of sunscreen, blankets, and lawn chairs if you have them. For those who are attending the event with small children, equipping the youngsters with I.D. tags is always a good idea. More than 50,000 people attend this popular jazz event in Clearwater Florida every year, so it can be easy to get lost, even if you're not a small child. There are some things that you won't be allowed to bring to the festival, and they include glass containers of any kind, grills, pets, tents, umbrellas, coolers, food, drinks, fireworks, laser pointers, skateboards, and weapons. Should you bring a phone or a pager, you will be required to turn it off during performances.

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In recent years, the Clearwater Jazz Festival has not only featured great music, but some fantastic art as well. Jazz 'N Art Walk, which is a relatively new event, coincides with the last two days of the Clearwater Jazz Holiday. It is an art show, effectively, and you can buy some of the pieces if you are interested in bringing home an interesting keepsake. Don't forget to check out the St Petersburg museums and the Tampa museums if you like art and are planning a Clearwater vacation. Some high quality art museums can be found in these nearby cities, and they are definitely worth visiting if you have the time. If you like Jazz and art, then get your tickets to the Clearwater Jazz Festival today, and treat yourself to an October vacation in Clearwater that is guaranteed to please.