Your guide to Cape Town International Jazz Festival 2026: Tickets, venues, line-up
Jazz-lovers will be thrilled to know that the Jazz Festival Cape Town's 2026 addition is mere months away for their 23rd instalment. The 2026 event will be hosted at Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) on the last weekend of March.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- The Cape Town International Jazz Festival is a celebration of jazz music for local music lovers
- The festival brought the nation together as one during a time of significant racial divide
- The Cape Town Jazz Festival 2026 dates are set for the last weekend of March
- The festival's line-up has included stalwarts such as Herbie Hancock and Hugh Masekela
- Frequently asked questions
- Cape Town International Jazz Festival's social media
Key takeaways
- The Cape Town International Jazz Festival was established in 2000 in the heart of Cape Town, South Africa and was originally named the North Sea Jazz Festival Cape Town.
- The event is one of the most popular festivals in Cape Town, with 6,000 people at the inaugural event and an estimated 24,000 people at the 2025 instalment.
- 2026's addition of the Cape Town Jazz Festival will take place over two days during the last weekend of March.
- Cape Town Jazz Festival's ticket prices for 2026 have not been released yet, but previous years ranged from R800 to over R1,000.
The Cape Town International Jazz Festival is a celebration of jazz music for local music lovers
The jazz festival, which was first known as the North Sea Jazz Festival Cape Town, first took place on March 31 and April 1, 2000, as a joint venture between South Africa's espAfrika and Mojo Concerts BV, the Dutch North Sea Jazz Festival organisers.
The inaugural event saw 6,000 music lovers attend, and has since become a staple for soul music fans. Often referred to as 'Africa's grandest gathering', the event blends jazz with other genres such as fusion, soul and R&B, catering to a wider range of music tastes.
Source: UGC
The festival brought the nation together as one during a time of significant racial divide
The festival has been 100% black-owned since the Survé Family rescued it from near collapse in 2006. Thus, it was reborn as a fully South African event and festival founder, Rashid Lombard, along with partner Billy Domingo, reflected on its cultural significance and was quoted by IOL as saying:
'Coming from the cultural vacuum that was South African Apartheid, and preceded by numerous failed attempts by other parties to pull off such an event, espAfrika was confronted with public scepticism.'
The article goes on to mention how the impactful it was for artists to provide TV interviews, which helped the festival gain more traction:
'It was only when a few star artists including Ronny Jordan and Roy Hargrove arrived early for the event and gave television interviews, that the public began to buy in and ticket sales improved.'
The Cape Town Jazz Festival 2026 dates are set for the last weekend of March
The 2026 edition is scheduled for March 27 and and 28, 2026. The festival takes place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) at the, Convention Square, 1 Lower Long Street, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, Western Cape.
Source: UGC
The festival's line-up has included stalwarts such as Herbie Hancock and Hugh Masekela
The jazz festival's pull is the iconic jazz names that have brought it to life over the years, with notable famous local musicians such as Hugh Masekela, Herbie Hancock, and Abbey Lincoln dazzling the inaugural audience in 2000. The 2025 line-up for the Cape Town International Jazz Festival saw major acts, including South African house DJs and soul singers:
- Ari Lennox
- Thandiswa Mazwai
- Lira
- Incognito
- Black Coffee
- Ward | Prins | Shepherd | Rubain (also known as the Supercrew)
- Bombay Lights
- Plurism
- Nduduzo Makhathini
- The Ploemies
- The Brother Moves On
- Kdollahz
The Cape Town International Jazz Festival's line-up for 2026 has yet to be released. However, monitoring the festival's social media pages will give attendees line-up updates in real time.
Frequently asked questions
Although attendees, both past and future have an idea of what to expect, there may still be questions left unanswered for them, such as reliable ticket sources and prohibited items. Refreshments (with some exclusions) are allowed, and tickets must be purchased from an official third-party seller or via the event directly.
Source: UGC
What time does the 2026 Cape Town International Jazz Festival start?
Seeing as the event takes places months from the article's published date, details such as time and line-up have yet to be confirmed. In previous years, start times have begun between 11h00 and 13h00, with performances starting shortly after. Based on this, patrons can expect the festival to start late morning or early afternoon.
Where can I find Cape Town International Jazz Festival tickets?
You can purchase tickets off Ticketmaster or Loot. You can also check the Cape Town International Jazz Festival's website for tickets, which were available at the time of writing in September 2025.
Can patrons bring refreshments into the venue?
Patrons may bring in their own beverages, including water, with the exception of alcohol. The venue makes mention of hospitality packages, and there will be food available at the venue during the performances.
Although alcoholic beverages are not permitted at the venue, they may be purchased there. Cooler boxes are also not permitted, but attendees are encouraged to bring water bottles to remain hydrated throughout the festival.
Source: UGC
What items are prohibited?
In addition to alcohol and cooler boxes, the following items are not allowed:
- Fireworks
- Weapons of any kind
- Sizeable bags and backpacks
- professional cameras (drones included)
- illegal/illicit substances
These items are subject to change, so it is best to confirm via the event's website for any updates to the list.
Cape Town International Jazz Festival's social media
At the time of writing on September 11, 2025, the jazz festival had 19.6K followers on Instagram. Their Facebook page had 4.4K followers, and their X (Twitter) page had 24.8K followers. The event's TikTok page had 10.2K followers.
The Cape Town International Jazz Festival has been a staple for jazz enthusiasts nationwide since its inception in 2000, with thousands travelling from all provinces to experience it. Although some details have yet to be released on the 2026 addition, fans can expect the same electric experience and memorable live music within multiple genres.
DISCLAIMER: This article is not sponsored by any third party. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions. Any action you take based on the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility.
READ ALSO: Kota Festival 2025 complete guide: Venue list, ticket prices & dates
On the topic of local festivals, Briefly.co.za wrote an article regarding the Kota Festival, an annual celebration of South African street food and talented local musicians. The main focus is the local kota, with numerous stalls selling variations of the meal.
The Kota Festival travels throughout the country yearly, visiting each province to bring patrons a taste of more than just delicious kotas. Expect live music from South Africa's most beloved musicians and entertainment for the whole family.
Source: Briefly News
