This free jazz festival began in 1990 as the combination of two smaller, lesser known festivals: Spring Fling and Jazz Fest. The combination of free music, art, and a family friendly atmosphere made the festival grow quickly in fame and attendance.
The festival takes place at the end of April every year. To hold it any later in this central Texas town would mean risking the intense Texas summer heat.
The festival includes several different stages that often feature more than 2,000 performers over the course of the weekend. There are more than 200 vendors displaying artwork for sale and hundreds of food booths offering almost any snack imaginable. In 2010, the festival added a children's play and art area to make the experience more family friendly.
The Denton Arts and Jazz Festival is held every year in Quakertown Park in Denton, Texas.