Live music in Scranton, PA

Enjoy the Scranton Jazz Festival, a three-day celebration that turns downtown Scranton into a lively music hub. Over the weekend, more than 80 musicians perform across 20-plus venues, with styles ranging from jazz and blues to swing and world beat. A highlight is the free Jazz Walk, where you can stroll through downtown and catch live sets at local restaurants, lounges, and other venues along the route. The festival also kicks off with a First Friday-style celebration that includes artisan vendors, family-friendly activities, and live music around the city.

Tempestt Duo performs at Andy Gavin’s.

H.R., the voice of Bad Brains, brings a spiritually charged set to The Ritz in Scranton alongside The Human Rights Movement. Expect deep reggae grooves, powerful themes, and the unmistakable energy long associated with Bad Brains in a rare appearance from a pivotal figure in underground music. This is an all-ages event. Support is to be announced. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.

Catch H.R. for a live show at The Ritz Theater in Scranton. The lineup is listed for the evening with doors and show time details shown as 8:00 PM local to the venue.

Enjoy Rogue Chimp with free admission. There is no entry fee for this event.

Presented by the Scranton Jazz Festival, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band brings its New Orleans sound to The Theater at North. Founded in 1977 and now more than 45 years in, this Grammy Award-winning ensemble blends brass band tradition with bebop, funk, and R&B and soul. The group has performed on five continents in over thirty countries, released twelve studio albums, and collaborated with artists including Modest Mouse, Widespread Panic, and Norah Jones. The lineup features Roger Lewis on baritone sax and vocals, Gregory Davis on trumpet and vocals, Kirk Joseph on sousaphone, Trevarri Huff-Boone on tenor sax and vocals, Stephen Walker on trombone and vocals, Julian Addison on drums, and Takeshi Shimmura on guitar. Tickets range from $40 to $55 plus fees and are available online or at the box office.

Unplugged acoustic sets performed in person at uka-vets, offering a stripped-down sound that puts the music front and center.

Dance Hall Devils are back at The V-Spot Bar for a live music night. The band’s set starts at 10:00 PM on Saturday, August 8.

Dance Hall Devils appear at The VSpot after a slower year of shows, with family, tours, and life keeping them busy. Enjoy beers with the band and remember to tip the bartenders.

At The Theater at North, Ted Vigil leads a heartfelt salute to John Denver. Billed as the country's top John Denver tribute artist, he mirrors the legend's look and voice, delivering a performance that Steve Weisberg, John Denver's lead guitarist, has called uncanny. The set features favorites such as "Take Me Home, Country Roads," "Leaving on a Jet Plane," "Annie's Song," "Rocky Mountain High," "Calypso," "Thank God I'm a Country Boy," "Sunshine on My Shoulders," and more. Multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Theresa Britt joins the show, bringing experience as a violinist, fiddler, guitarist, and singer. Based in the Texas Hill Country, she has more than two decades in country and western swing bands, performs with regional orchestras in Texas and with string quartets, and works as an arranger, composer, and songwriter. Recently she has focused on her Dirty Rotten Swing Band project, which features a rotating lineup and blends Western Swing, jazz, and blues. Tickets are priced at $35 to $40 plus fees and are available online or at the box office.

Scranton Jazz Festival celebrates more than twenty years with a finale led by the Scranton Jazz Festival Big Band under the direction of Marko Marcinko. The evening begins with the PA Jazz Institute at Marywood Student Ensemble, followed by the SJF Big Band featuring special guest bassist Ron Carter. The performance is set in the Grand Ballroom of the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple with reserved seating only. The seating map shows a general layout and may be adjusted without notice. Prices may change based on demand, and event details are subject to change. Venue security policies apply. All sales are final with no refunds or exchanges.

Running for more than a decade, this free open mic at The V-Spot in Scranton is recognized as one of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s longest-running and most popular nights, drawing diverse lineups and enthusiastic crowds. Emerging and established local musicians, comedians, actors, performance artists, magicians, and others share the stage, and touring bands occasionally drop in between gigs. The evening also offers a chance to connect with fellow artists while gaining added exposure through a live stream and event photos. Sign-ups occur before the show, and a limited number of late sign-ups may be accepted, so early arrival helps secure a spot. Each act typically receives 10 to 15 minutes, adjusted based on turnout, and original material is encouraged. All performers are featured on live streams across Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, though copyrighted tracks can prevent some sets from appearing online. Photos of every act are later shared in the NEPA Scene Open Mic Facebook group for artists to download and use in their own promotion. Participants must be 18 or older. Those who are 18 to 20 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, and valid identification is required for both. The venue provides a lit stage, a soundboard, two microphones, a pair of standard instrument cables, and a Mapex five-piece house drum kit. Full bands can take the stage, and performers using backing tracks may plug in a phone or laptop directly to the soundboard with provided audio cables. Any additional gear should be brought by the artist.