Hey travellers, the Venetian summer is set to be enriched by one of the most eagerly awaited musical events of the year. The Venezia Jazz Festival 2026 returns for its 18th edition, bringing some of the most prominent figures on the international jazz scene to the city’s narrow streets, historic theatres and picturesque locations around the lagoon.
Organised by Veneto Jazz, the festival will bring Venice and the metropolitan area to life from 6 June to 31 July 2026 with a programme ranging from contemporary jazz to electronic music, from Brazilian music to American fusion, not forgetting a tribute to an absolute legend such as Miles Davis.
Discover all the info you need about Venezia Jazz Festival 2026 in this guide by Venice Insider Guide.
Venezia Jazz Festival 2026: 18th edition
In 2026, the Venezia Jazz Festival will reach the prestigious milestone of its 18th edition, confirming its status as one of the most important musical events on the Venetian cultural scene.
The festival, conceived and organised by Veneto Jazz, continues to offer a programme of the highest artistic calibre, attracting visitors, enthusiasts and tourists from all over Italy and abroad.
What is the Venice Jazz Festival
The Venezia Jazz Festival is a music festival dedicated to jazz in all its many forms. Founded with the aim of promoting Venice as an international cultural crossroads, the festival hosts established artists and new talents every year, offering concerts in iconic venues across the city and its metropolitan area.
The 2026 edition offers a musical journey spanning Berlin cabaret, Broadway, electronic jazz, Brazilian sounds and contemporary fusion.
Venezia Jazz Festival 2026 dates
The official dates for the Venezia Jazz Festival 2026 are from 6 June to 31 July 2026.
For almost two months, Venice will become the go-to destination for jazz lovers. Concerts, original productions and international performances will accompany residents and visitors through a packed programme of events spread across the historic centre and the wider Venetian metropolitan area.
Venezia Jazz Festival 2026 location
The main venues for the event include the prestigious Sale Apollinee at the Teatro La Fenice, the Teatro Goldoni, Chiesa della Pietà, the Auditorium Lo Squero on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, the Municipal Garden in Fiesso d’Artico, and Laguna Libre, the festival’s jazz club in Venice.
These venues, from historic theaters to open-air space, represent some of the most fascinating cultural settings in the Venetian area and help to make the festival experience unique.
How to get to the Venezia Jazz Festival 2026
Reaching the festival venues is easy thanks to Venice’s public transport network. The venues in the historic centre can be reached by ACTV vaporetto and on foot, whilst for events in the metropolitan area, rail, bus and private transport services are available.
Those staying in the centre of Venice can easily move between the various venues whilst also enjoying the city’s charm along the way.
Why attend the Venezia Jazz Festival 2026
Attending the Venezia Jazz Festival 2026 means enjoying a cultural experience that goes far beyond a simple concert, with immersive moments such as jazz aperitifs at sunset.
The event offers the chance to hear world-renowned artists in exclusive, history-steeped venues, whilst immersing yourself in the unique atmosphere of Venice.
Jazz lunches and dinners also add to the rich program of experiences.
For tourists, it is the perfect opportunity to combine exploring the city with a musical programme of the highest international standard. Collateral events such as poetry readings and art exhibits further enrich the festival atmosphere.
What to expect from the Venezia Jazz Festival 2026
The Venezia Jazz Festival 2026 promises a varied and engaging programme, designed to satisfy both fans of traditional jazz and those who love more modern fusions, and it also extends into aperitivo hour with free pop-up live music by notable musicians. Some aperitivo-time concerts take place around the Rialto area.
From art jazz and electronic music to Brazilian music and the inevitable tribute to Miles Davis
According to artistic director Giuseppe Mormile, the festival embraces different yet complementary musical worlds: from the visionary electronic music of Norwegian pianist Bugge Wesseltoft to the cabaret of Ute Lemper, via the Brazilian lyricism of Jaques Morelenbaum, right through to the tribute to Miles Davis presented by Adam Holzman to mark the centenary of the great American musician’s birth, with space for new music as well. The festival also collaborates with the New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music.
Venice Jazz Festival 2026 programme
The program of the Venezia Jazz Festival 2026 is beautiful.
On 6 June (7.00 pm and 9.00 pm) at the Sale Apollinee of the Teatro La Fenice with a double concert by Bugge Wesseltoft – AM ARE
The festival kicks off its programme at the Sale Apollinee of the Teatro La Fenice with two concerts by the Norwegian pianist and composer Bugge Wesseltoft, a leading figure in contemporary European electronic jazz.
On 13 June (8.00 pm), at the Teatro Goldoni, the highlight of the festival: Ute Lemper with the PN3Orchestra in ‘From Berlin to Broadway’
One of the most eagerly awaited events features the renowned German artist Ute Lemper, accompanied by the PN3Orchestra in a show that traverses the musical history between Berlin and Broadway.
On 19 June (7.00 pm), again at the Sale Apollinee, the Glauco Venier Quartet takes to the stage with the ‘Nuovo’ project.
Friulian pianist and composer Glauco Venier will present the ‘Nuovo’ project, characterised by refined and contemporary sound exploration centred on the piano.
On 25 June (7.00 pm), at the Sale Apollinee, it is the turn of Andrea Sabatino in ‘Fatata’.
Trumpeter Andrea Sabatino will take centre stage with ‘Fatata’, a project that combines technique, improvisation and melodic sensitivity.
On 27 June (6.30 pm), the programme moves to the Auditorium Lo Squero on the island of San Giorgio for Jaques Morelenbaum CelloSam3aTrio
The renowned Brazilian cellist Jaques Morelenbaum will bring the charm of Brazilian music to the lagoon in one of Venice’s most enchanting venues.
On 30 June at Teatro La Fenice, ‘Pipe Dream’. This special collaboration brings Hank Roberts together with four Italian artists for ‘Pipe Dream’, a duo-based project that also opens space for guitar colours and inventive drums.
On 1 July, workshop on improvisation. A workshop dedicated to improvisation will offer a practical moment of exchange within the festival programme.
From 2 July to 6 July, Moog Summer Camp workshop. The Moog Summer Camp workshop runs across five days, extending the festival’s creative focus beyond concerts.
On 2 July (7.00 pm), the Sale Apollinee will once again host a double bill as part of Tomorrow’s Jazz Night
A spotlight on young talent and the latest trends in Italian jazz, with an evening dedicated to the rising stars of the contemporary scene.
On 3 July, Enrico Rava. The festival also features Enrico Rava, the 80-year-old Italian jazz trumpeter, in a programme that underlines the event’s international collaboration.
On 5 July, Anouar Brahem. The lineup also includes Anouar Brahem, the Tunisian oud master, bringing his distinctive voice to the festival.
On 6 July, Egberto Gismonti. Another notable guest is Egberto Gismonti, the Brazilian composer and multi-instrumentalist, whose appearance reflects the festival’s spirit of collaboration.
On 8 July at Teatro La Fenice, Dee Dee Bridgewater. Dee Dee Bridgewater will perform in a show that pays tribute to Josephine Baker.
On 24 July (9.30 pm), at the Municipal Garden in Fiesso d’Artico. The programme moves to the Venetian mainland for an open-air summer evening, set amidst the greenery of the Municipal Garden in Fiesso d’Artico.
On 31 July (8.30 pm) at Laguna Libre in Venice, grand finale with the Adam Holzman Band – Remember TUTU / Miles 100
The festival will close with the Adam Holzman Band performing “Remember TUTU / Miles 100”, a special tribute to Miles Davis on the centenary of his birth. A finale celebrating one of the most influential artists in the history of world jazz.
FAQs
When is the Venezia Jazz Festival 2026 taking place?
From 6 June to 31 July 2026.
Who organises the festival?
The event is organised by Veneto Jazz.
What are the main venues?
Teatro La Fenice, Teatro Goldoni, Auditorium Lo Squero, Giardino Municipale di Fiesso d’Artico and Laguna Libre.
Which international artists are taking part?
Headliners include Bugge Wesseltoft, Ute Lemper, Jacques Morelenbaum and Adam Holzman.
Conclusion
The Venezia Jazz Festival 2026 is once again one of the most exciting cultural events of the Venetian summer.
Thanks to an international line-up, iconic venues and a programme that spans different genres and traditions, the festival is an unmissable event for anyone wishing to experience Venice through music. Whether you’re a jazz enthusiast or simply looking for an authentic experience during your stay in the lagoon, this 18th edition promises excitement, quality and a spectacular show.
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