Village Jazz Series Returns for 18th Season of Free Thursday Concerts

Local families, mall shoppers and evening visitors will have free live jazz once again in the Village Area of Yuma Palms Regional Center, 1305 S Yuma Palms Pkwy, when the Village Jazz Series opens its 18th season on Thursday, January 15. The 2026 season runs every Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. through April 30, and Yumajazz advises attendees: “All events are free (just bring your own folding chair) with the music happening every Thursday evening from 6 to 8, January 15 through April 30, in the Village Area of Yuma Palms Regional Center.”

The season’s announced lineup in the provided schedule begins Jan. 15 with Renee Grant Patrick and Nicole Pesce, and includes March 12 with the Pete Pancrazi Quartet; Yumajazz describes Pancrazi as “A not-to-be-missed staple of the Series, Phoenix guitarist and vocalist Pete Pancrazi performs with his quartet, always winning over audiences with his nimble guitar work, warm vocals, and personal charm.” The series also lists March 19 for the Society Boys, March 26 for the Yuma Big Band, and April 2 for Yuma Jazz Company’s Latin Jazz Eruption! Each listed date is set for the 6–8 p.m. Thursday time slot.

The Village Area concerts are presented as family-friendly, open-air events in a palm-lined setting. Yumajazz’s promotional copy invites audiences to “Make plans to experience great live jazz, in a diversity of forms, sharing its creative warmth under the stars, amid palm trees swaying, water features sparkling, and Yuma evenings mesmerizing - all helping to create unforgettable musical experiences.” Organizers encourage patrons to “Plan on picking up something to eat and drink in the Village Area,” and ShopYumaPalms notes the center’s hours as Mon - Sat: 10AM - 9PM and Sun: 11AM - 6PM for those arranging dinner or shopping before concerts.

There is a textual discrepancy in source descriptions of the series’ season length. One overview describes the Village Jazz Series as running “on Thursday evenings through the spring and into early summer,” while Yumajazz provides the explicit 2026 dates of January 15 through April 30. For the 2026 season, the January 15-April 30 schedule is the specific timeline provided.

KAWC will record the Thursday performances and fold highlights into its weekly radio showcase. KAWC’s copy states: “Concerts recorded live by KAWC's Doc Jazz at the Village Jazz Series. Each week we'll highlight a great performance from a previous concert.” The station runs “Best of the Village Jazz Series — Fridays at 8pm on KAWC 88.9 FM — Hosted by Dave Riek, Cary 'Doc Jazz' Meister.” KAWC lists contact information as © 2026 KAWC, PO Box 929, Yuma, AZ 85366, info@kawc.org, 877-838-5292, and the station’s site features a captioned photo credited as “Full house at the Yuma Jazz Series” with credit Jim Anderson Photography.

Local partners and logistics include a lodging promotion from Shilo Inns Yuma; Yumajazz names Shilo Inns as a partner and provides a discount line: “To receive a discounted rate, call 928-782-9511, or contact Richard at richard.todd@shiloinns.com and ask for the Village Accommodations Discount.” ShopYumaPalms also lists the series on its Events page and invites organizers to “Host an event at Yuma Palms! Click here to fill out the event request form.”

The 18th season begins Jan 15 in the Village Area at 1305 S Yuma Palms Pkwy and will run Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m. through Apr 30; attendees are advised to bring folding chairs, plan food or beverage purchases inside the Village Area, and tune to KAWC 88.9 FM on Fridays at 8 p.m. for recorded highlights.