Golden Jazz Fest Shuttle 2026
Golden Limousine International and WEMU 89.1 are thrilled to once again offer convenient shuttle service to the world's largest free jazz festival in the heart of downtown Detroit.
Relax, sit back, and enjoy a stress-free ride to Detroit with Golden Limousine’s Jazz Fest Shuttle!
The Detroit Jazz Festival returns September 4–7, 2026, marking 47 years of celebrating Detroit's rich jazz heritage and bringing a community of world-class musicians and jazz enthusiasts into the heart of the city. This year brings a refreshed festival experience, with all three downtown stages consolidated into Hart Plaza, plus a fourth stage at the new Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center at Wayne State University in Midtown Detroit.
“The musicians are the stars," said Sean Duval, President and CEO of Golden Limousine International. "The Detroit Jazz Festival has been bringing people together for decades, and we're proud to help make that experience easier and more enjoyable. We're grateful to partner with WEMU again this year and support an event that means so much to our region.”
General Manager of WEMU, Molly Motherwell adds, "the Detroit Jazz Festival is WEMU's longest-running event partnership. Ever since the festival was founded in 1980 as the Montreux-Detroit Jazz Festival, WEMU has been a part of it - on stage, on air, and now online."
Since 2010, Golden Limousine International has partnered with WEMU to run festival shuttle buses from Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor — an eco-friendly, cost-effective way to reach the Detroit waterfront for three days of free jazz from around the world.
About the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation
Under the leadership of President and Artistic Director Chris Collins, the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization that presents jazz and other workshops throughout the year. Hosting the largest free jazz festival in the world, 26 percent of its audience comes from out of state to view these artists and musicians.
2026 Artist-in-Residence Joe Lovano headlines a stacked lineup that also includes Ron Carter & Foursight, Bob James, Ravi Coltrane Quartet, Artemis, Kurt Elling & Yellowjackets, Cindy Blackman Santana, Tia Fuller, Catherine Russell, Nduduzo Makhathini, Gabrielle Cavassa, and more.
“We are proud to present a world-class festival that remains free and accessible to everyone, made possible through the unwavering support of our patrons, sponsors, and community partners.”
-- Chris Collins
Click here to view the lineup of this summer’s 2026 Detroit Jazz Fest schedule to discover all the concerts you won't want to miss!
“Our role is straightforward: providing safe, reliable transportation so guests can spend less time worrying about traffic and parking and more time enjoying everything the festival and the City of Detroit have to offer.”
- Sean Duval, CEO & President of Golden
Shuttle Schedule
The Golden Detroit Jazz Festival Shuttles will be operating on Saturday, September 5th, Sunday, September 6th, and Monday, September 7th, 2026, departing from Skyline High School in Ann Arbor, and the EMU George Gervin GameAbove Center (formerly the Convocation Center) in Ypsilanti.
The return shuttle from Detroit will depart from Huntington Place (formerly known as Cobo Center).
Saturday, September 5 & Sunday, September 6
Departures from Skyline: 11:00AM & 2:30PM
Departures from EMU: 11:30AM & 3:00PM
Return shuttles depart Huntington Place at 6:00 PM, 9:00 PM, and 11:30 PM.
Monday, September 7 (Labor Day)
Departures: 11:00AM from Skyline & 11:30AM from EMU
Return shuttles depart Huntington Place at 5:00 PM and 8:30 PM.
Because of our partnership with WEMU, the cost is $15.00 each way. Guests must purchase two one-way tickets ($30.00 total) to reserve both their trip to Detroit and their return trip.
Please note: we've introduced a new booking portal this year. Departure and return trips must be reserved separately — be sure to book both your ride to Detroit and your ride home when you reserve by clicking "View upcoming trips" and picking your dates. If you need assistance with our booking portal, feel free to call 734-668-8282 and our team would be happy to help.
Book your shuttle below!
Quick Insider Tips for Riders:
- Arrive 10 minutes early to the shuttle location for easy boarding.
- Travel light – a small backpack or tote is ideal for the festival. Please note: coolers are not permitted on the Hart Plaza festival grounds this year.
- Check the Festival Schedule in advance to see when your favorites are performing.
- Share your experience! Snap photos on the ride and tag/email us for a chance to be featured.