While the history of live jazz has undoubtedly been written around famous residencies in smoky basements and performances in grand concert halls, its many festivals have been equally important. 

From those legendary shows in the 1950s at Newport Jazz Festival, Rhode Island, recorded by Columbia and Verve, to Antibes Jazz [now Jazz à Juan] that became a home-away-from-home for American jazz icons in the sixties, through to London Jazz in more recent years, festivals have provided an important platform for both touring and homegrown musicians. 

Here are some of our favourites to add to your calendar. 

Cheltenham Jazz Festival – 29 April – 4 May 

Started in 1995, Cheltenham Jazz has drawn in such big international names as Jackie McLean alongside its UK focus with everyone from Django Bates to Laura Jurd presenting special projects. This year the international line up is stronger than ever with saxophone icon Joshua Redman, and the ever thoughtful guitarist Bill Frisell among the highlights. As always the young UK scene is also well represented with the multi talented Emma-Jean Thackray, and Jalen Ngonda starting their busy festival schedule here. 

Manchester Jazz Festival – 15-24 May

Back in 1995, saxophonists Matt Nickson and Phred Farret – who went on to  form Matt & Phred’s Jazz Club – and a collective of musicians gathered to plan the first Manchester Jazz Festival. What began as a one day festival has grown into a 10 day event featuring local, national and international artists at a selection of venues including Matt & Phreds. Highlights of this year’s festival include the funk / fusion veterans Yellowjackets, Tony Kofi and Denys Baptiste’s tribute to John Coltrane & Canonball Adderley, and a set by soulful singer & producer China Moses.

Leeds Jazz Festival – 21 – 27 May 

There’s been quite a buzz on jazz in Leeds of late – and INKYRA led by the rising star saxophonist Emma Rawicz will be one to watch. Their club conscious jazz is celebrated in a night featuring legendary DJ Paul Murphy in conversation, which is followed by a dance party. Other gigs to catch include the wonderful pianist & organist Kit Downes’ event to launch his new album on ECM, and the groove heavy Submotion Orchestra.

Glasgow Jazz Festival – 10-14 June

Glasgow’s Jazz Festival – the city’s longest running festival – celebrates it’s 40th year and has played host to some true superstars: Miles Davis, Sarah Vaughan, Dizzy Gillespie and Oscar Peterson are just a few of the headliners of the past. Today, Scotland’s jazz scene is stronger than ever, and the full line up will be announced in late April.

Love Supreme Jazz Festival – 3-5 July 

There’s as much soul and R&B as jazz at this East Sussex festival these days but alongside Sister Sledge and The Temptations & The Four tops are hip hop legends De La Soul, and UK stars Loyle Carner, Ezra Collective, and Kokoroko. The supreme talents of Samara Joy and Esperanza Spalding mean this sunny summer festival continues to go from strength to strength.

For some of the most interesting sounds we suggest the late Jazz in the Round programme curated by Jez Nelson and Chris Phillips and the New Generation Jazz tent where the best of young South Coast talent can be found. 

Brecon Jazz – 7-9 August 

Brecon Jazz Festival was founded in 1984 by a small collective of jazz musicians, fans and promoters. With its strong grass roots focus and mix of global names and rising stars, the festival is spread across various venues every August. Keep an eye on their website for gig announcements. The festival is set right next to the Brecon Beacons National Park making a Welsh holiday add on very tempting. 

We Out Here – 20-23 August 

When Gilles Peterson founded the We Out Here festival in 2019 it was to celebrate the U.K.’s DIY club culture and its intersection with jazz. While the young UK scene is still an integral part of WoH, held in the beautiful grounds of Wimborne St Giles, Dorset, it has grown into a global celebration of jazz in all its forms.

So alongside Thundercat, Shabaka, and Jazzanova, Aja Monet, Corto Alto, Kahil El’Zabar, and Gary Bartz & NTU Troop are the likes of Ethiopian jazz hero Mulatu Astatke, The Zawose Queens and Amaro Freitas. What really makes WoH stand out is the close attention given to the DJs and dance stages amongst many of the highlights this year. 

EFG London Jazz Festival – 14-23 November 

Celebrating its 34th year in 2026, London Jazz ranks beside Montreux, North Sea Jazz and Jazz à Juan as one of the world’s most successful and long running jazz festivals. Already announced for 2026’s festival are a range of huge names including Branford Marsalis with Diane Reeves, Samara Joy, and an epic Coltrane 100 tribute featuring Joe Lovano, Melissa Aldana, Nduduzo Makhathini, Linda May Han Oh, Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts.

Everything Jazz were lucky enough to listen to and speak with an amazing range of artists at previous London Jazz Festivals, see some of them below. Hope to see you there this year!

---

Andy Thomas is a London based writer who has contributed regularly to Straight No Chaser, Wax Poetics, We Jazz, Red Bull Music Academy, and Bandcamp Daily. He has also written liner notes for Strut, Soul Jazz and Brownswood Recordings.

---

_{Header image: Love Supreme Festival.}