Lake Arbor Jazz Festival: 16 Years of Mansion Vibes and World-Class Jazz

Five days, four venues, and a jazz lineup that will last you until next summer. The 16th annual Lake Arbor Jazz Festival is the kind of event that reminds you why Prince George's County knows how to throw a party.

The Flavor

This is not your standard outdoor jazz fest. Think of it as a five-day, multi-venue experience that starts at a historic mansion and ends at a resort. It is elegant, community-driven, and unapologetically Prince George's County.

The festival kicks off at the Newton White Mansion in Mitchellville—because why not start the week in a place that looks like it belongs on a postcard? Then it moves to MGM National Harbor for the main concerts, parties, and a Sunday brunch that might just be the classiest way to end a weekend.

All proceeds benefit the Prince George's Cultural Arts Foundation, which supports arts programming and scholarships in the county. So you can feel good about eating gourmet hors d'oeuvres under the stars.

The Sound

Wednesday, July 15 – Music at the Mansion

• Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
• Where: Newton White Mansion, 2708 Enterprise Rd, Mitchellville, MD
• Who: Saxophonist Marqueal Jordan, guitarist JJ Sansaverino, and bassist/composer Christian "Big New York" DeMesones with his All-Star band.
• The Exclusive: This is the festival's hidden gem. Intimate setting. Historic mansion. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres. Cash bar. Limited capacity. Do not sleep on this one.

Thursday, July 16

Meet & Greet Breakfast: 10:00 AM at Wellspring Manor & Spa. Featured artists include JJ Sansaverino, Marqueal Jordan, Jeff Bradshaw, Jacob Webb, and Phylicia Rae.

Kickoff Concert: 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM at MGM National Harbor. Sax legend Gerald Albright and trombone virtuoso Jeff Bradshaw take the stage.

Friday, July 17

Festival Day Party: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM. Proceeds benefit the Prince George's Cultural Arts Foundation Scholarship Fund.

Summer White Affair: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM. A three-course dinner, cash bars, vendors, silent and live auctions, and live entertainment. Lineup includes Grammy-winning guitarist Norman Brown, Marcus Anderson with trumpeter Lin Rountree, and DC favorite Band Phaze II.

Friday After Party: Late-night. Features D.C.'s all-female band Bela Donna with soulful R&B and go-go vibes. There is no such thing as too much go-go.

Saturday, July 18

The Listening Room Series: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM. Intimate sets in the Aria Room and Mandalay Bay Rooms at MGM National Harbor. Emerging artists and alternative smooth jazz. Perfect for when you need a quiet moment between main-stage energy.

Festival Concert: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM at MGM National Harbor. Features John Coltrane's Temptations with The Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble.

Sunday, July 19

Sunday Jazz Brunch: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM in the Grand Ballroom at MGM National Harbor.

Saturday After Party: 10:00 PM – 1:00 AM (carries into Sunday morning). Yes, the weekend keeps going.

The Vibe

This is the festival's 16th year. That is not a small thing. Over 20 jazz artists will grace the stages across multiple venues, and the Prince George's Cultural Arts Foundation has been doing this long enough to know exactly what works.

Expect a mix of jazz purists, casual listeners, and community supporters who dress for the occasion. It is upscale without being stuffy. It is community-driven without being amateur.

Pro Tip: The "Music at the Mansion" Is the Exclusive Play

The Wednesday, July 15 "Music at the Mansion" event is the festival's secret weapon. It is a 16th-anniversary kickoff at the stunning Newton White Mansion. Intimate. Elegant. Limited capacity. This is not the main festival—it is the prelude.

• Arrive early. Doors open at 6:00 PM. The mansion is a historic venue. Parking is free but limited.
• Dress code: Cocktail attire or summer elegant. This is not a jeans-and-t-shirt event.
• Ticket price: General admission starts at $103. Worth every dollar.

Logistics

• Dates: July 15–19, 2026
• Locations:
  • Newton White Mansion: 2708 Enterprise Rd, Mitchellville, MD 20721 (Wednesday only)
  • MGM National Harbor: 101 MGM National Ave, Oxon Hill, MD 20745 (Thursday–Sunday)
• Parking: Free at the mansion. MGM has a large garage (fees may apply).
• Tickets: Available via Eventbrite. GO HERE. Strict no-refund policy. Only tickets purchased directly from the Prince George's Cultural Arts Foundation will be honored.
• Weather: July in Maryland is hot and humid. Dress accordingly.
• Age Restrictions: Most events are all-ages unless noted.
• Accessibility: MGM is ADA accessible. The mansion may have limited accessibility due to its historic nature—check ahead.

One Last Thing

The Lake Arbor Jazz Festival is a reminder that Prince George's County has an inclusive and exciting cultural heartbeat. And it has been beating for 16 years.

#LakeArborJazz #JazzFestival #MGMNationalHarbor #PrinceGeorgesCounty #DMVJazz #CulturalDMV

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