COTA Jazz & Arts Festival

The COTA Jazz & Arts Festival unfolds across Delaware Water Gap, Pennsylvania from July 8 through September 7, 2026, transforming this storied Pocono Mountains village into a two-month celebration of music, visual art, and the creative spirit that has drawn artists to this dramatic river valley for more than a century. Set where the Delaware River carves its passage through the Appalachian Mountains, the festival spreads across venues that range from intimate galleries to outdoor stages overlooking one of the East Coast’s most photographed natural landmarks.

Delaware Water Gap occupies a singular place in American jazz history. The village became an unlikely incubator for the genre when musicians performing at the grand Pocono resorts began gathering after hours at local establishments, trading standards and pushing boundaries in sessions that stretched until dawn. That tradition crystallized at the Deer Head Inn, which opened in the nineteenth century and evolved into what is now recognized as the oldest continuously running jazz club in the country. The inn has hosted legends including Phil Woods, Keith Jarrett, and Al Cohn, and its Thursday night jazz jams continue to draw emerging artists alongside veterans who have played these rooms for decades. During the COTA festival, the Deer Head serves as a spiritual anchor, its intimate stage hosting performances that connect the present celebration to more than seventy years of unbroken jazz heritage.

The festival programming extends well beyond music. Interactive art exhibits populate galleries throughout the borough, workshops invite participation from all ages and skill levels, and local food vendors offer tastes of the region’s culinary character. While specific performers and vendors for the 2026 season await announcement, previous iterations have showcased the depth of talent drawn to this creative community. The Sycamore Grill on Main Street provides refined dining steps from festival venues, while Joe Bosco’s authentic smokehouse delivers pit-smoked barbecue that pairs remarkably well with afternoon sets in the summer heat.

The Antoine Dutot Museum and Gallery anchors the village’s visual arts scene, its exhibitions exploring Delaware Water Gap’s extraordinary history as one of America’s premier tourist destinations a century ago, when grand hotels like the Kittatinny and the Water Gap House lined the cliffs above the river. The Historic Castle Inn, built in the era of the Titanic and once headquarters for bandleader Fred Waring’s entertainment empire, offers tours that transport visitors to the golden age when John Philip Sousa performed for hundreds on its lawns and Jackie Gleason counted among its famous guests.

Smithfield Beach and Milford Beach offer swimming along the Pennsylvania shore, their picnic areas and calm waters providing respite during the warmer festival weeks. The nearby town of Milford, accessible via the scenic Route 209 corridor, presents additional dining and shopping in what many consider the most picturesque community along this stretch of the Appalachian foothills. Bushkill Falls, nicknamed the “Niagara of Pennsylvania,” lies within easy reach for those seeking a full day of waterfall exploration.

The festival’s extended summer timeline allows visitors to experience Delaware Water Gap across the changing light of the season, from July’s lush green canopy through September’s first hints of the spectacular fall foliage that draws photographers from across the region. Evening performances take on particular magic as mountain air cools and the sound of a saxophone drifts across streets where musicians have gathered for generations.

To immerse yourself fully in the COTA Jazz & Arts Festival experience, consider booking a vacation rental on Lake.com, where properties along the Delaware River and throughout the Poconos offer the space and tranquility to recover between sets and fully absorb the creative energy that defines this remarkable place. Start planning your stay now on Lake.com.