The Steel City Smooth Jazz Festival opens today in Birmingham at Legion Field, then moves to Linn Park downtown on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Gates open at Legion Field today at 4 p.m. for the “South’s biggest line dance,” featuring Cupid and Logan the Entertainer. Tickets are free Thursday night but require an online RSVP.

The Birmingham City Council recently approved spending $175,000 to support the Steel City Smooth Jazz Festival.

“The Steel City Jazz Fest brings in a lot of people from outside of our region,” said Birmingham City Council President Darrell O’Quinn. “It’s an event that fills up our hotel rooms and brings in revenue for the City of Birmingham and generates activity for city businesses.”

A portion of three streets adjacent to Linn Park will be closed to vehicles this weekend as part of the festival Friday through Sunday.

The closed portions will include Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd from Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd to 19th Street North; Park Place from Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd to 19th Street North; and Short 20th Street North in front of Birmingham City Hall.

Here are some details on street closings and parking

Thursday, June 5: Vehicles should not park on Park Place. Food trucks and vendors will start loading in on Park Place at 4 p.m.

Friday, June 6: Starting at 9 a.m., crews will start to close Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd. from the corner of 19th Street North to the corner of Richard Arrington Blvd. to vehicle traffic so that fencing can be installed. The sidewalk along Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd. will remain open, and foot traffic will still be allowed. There will also be a sound check anywhere between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. Once Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd. closes at 9 a.m., the only way to access the Boutwell deck will be via 19th Street North. 19th Street North and Richard Arlington Blvd. will not be closed during the festival. Short 20th Street North in front of City Hall will close to foot traffic at 2 p.m. Park Place will be open to foot traffic until 3 p.m. Access to the Park Place entrance for the Renasant Bank Towers parking deck will close at 3 p.m. Access to the deck entrance will reopen once the festival ends and things are cleared out on Sunday, June 8. The last act to take the stage will start at 8:15 p.m.

Gates for the Steel City Smooth Jazz Festival in Linn Park will open at 4 p.m. on Friday, June 6. On Saturday, June 7, gates will open at 12 p.m., and the first act will start at 1 p.m. Gates will open at 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 8. The first act will begin at 2 p.m.

Starting at 1 p.m. on Friday, June 6, parking in the Boutwell deck will be $30 for event parking. Street parking across downtown will also be accessible where available. (Those with monthly parking cards for the Boutwell deck will not be affected.)

Fans can buy tickets at www.steelcityjazzfest.org. The public may secure free tickets to a special line dancing event on Thursday, June 5, at Legion Field via www.steelcityjazzfest.org.

Organizers are encouraging attendees to register online for the free event. Free tickets are only available for the June 5 Legion Field event. The event will be held on the field. So, high heels and heeled boots/shoes are not allowed. Sneakers, flats, and sandals may be worn. Legion Field’s clear bag policy will be enforced. Gates will open at 4 p.m. Cupid, Logan the Entertainer, DJ Chris Coleman, and others are slated to be present. Parking at Legion Field will be $5.