Illuminated panels with shades of red on a black background.

16 – 25 Oct

Melbourne International Jazz Festival

Melbourne International Jazz Festival returns from 16–25 October, taking over the city with ten days of unforgettable live music. Featuring more than 550 artists from 18 countries and over 150 events and performances, the festival brings Melbourne to life.

From world-class concert halls and intimate club shows to free outdoor events and late-night dance floors, there’s something for everyone.

Supported by City of Melbourne Multi-Year Arts Grants.

Date	Times
Fri 16 Oct	7:30pm - 10:00pm
Sat 17 Oct	7:30pm - 10:00pm
Sun 18 Oct	7:30pm - 10:00pm
Mon 19 Oct	7:30pm - 10:00pm
Tue 20 Oct	7:30pm - 10:00pm
Wed 21 Oct	7:30pm - 10:00pm
Thu 22 Oct	7:30pm - 10:00pm
Fri 23 Oct	7:30pm - 10:30pm
Sat 24 Oct	7:30pm - 10:00pm
Sun 25 Oct	7:30pm - 10:00pm

Part of Melbourne International Jazz Festival

British musician Benjamin Clementine wearing dark glasses, he has an Afro hairdo and performs and sings at a piano.

Benjamin Clementine

One man, one piano, one voice: an artist of rare intensity in his purest and most powerful form.

Musician playing a large tuba.

Jazz re:freshed: Theon Cross and Summer Pearl

The label at the forefront of the UK’s jazz scene brings you another epic double bill.

An intimate live music performance with a keyboard player and a drummer playing to an enthusiastic crowd in a dimly lit venue.

Haus Party

Rally your favourite people for a huge night at Jazz Fest’s Haus Party.

Young pianist at the piano and microphone.

Joey Alexander Trio and Young Monk

A celebration of jazz tradition, innovation and the artists shaping its future.

Indigenous man holding his hand to his green hat.

Sachém: Strangers Again

An evocative new work blending lyricism, spoken word and hip-hop.

Armenian pianist / composer Tigran Hamasyan leaning backwards with head facing upwards.

Tigran Hamasyan

Armenian pianist / composer Tigran Hamasyan returns to the Melbourne International Jazz Festival.

Poet aja monet lookign to her right with a serene expression and long tasseled earrings.

aja monet

Brooklyn-born surrealist blues poet aja monet makes her Melbourne debut.

A live outdoor performance on a stage with a large crowd gathered at Federation Square.

Free Jazz at Fed Square

Fed Square comes alive with brass, beats and boundary-pushing sounds, followed by Jazz on Film.

Miles Davis wearing oversized sunglasses and suede jacket.

Jazz Legends on Film

Celebrate John Coltrane and Miles Davis in this special double feature.

Children playing with adults with musical instruments.

Inside Out: Jump, Jive, Jazz

Syncopate your imagination with some jazzy play.

Animated still, people outside a cinema with portico entry and sign.

Soul

A one-of-a-kind animated film featuring an Oscar-winning jazz soundtrack by Jon Batiste.

Four jazz musicians with their instruments.

Aziza

Bringing an electrifying finale to the 2026 Melbourne International Jazz Festival.

Jazz singer Dee Dee Bridgewater smiles warmly to her left in a garden setting with one hand resting on her cheek.

Dee Dee Bridgewater with Helen Sung

Three-time Grammy winner Dee Dee Bridgewater headlines the Melbourne International Jazz Festival

New Orleans-style jazz band parading past crowds gathered at Southgate.

Second Line Street Party Featuring Rebirth Brass Band

A musical march along the Yarra, bringing the quintessential New Orleans parade to the inner-city.

The four band members of The Bad Plus posing in a serious way in a beige toned room.

The Bad Plus Farewell Tour

The Bad Plus make their final Australian appearance at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival

Ragged-edge photo from contact sheet, two men, one with hands clasped in front of him, the other seated brushing his hair from his face.

The Teskey Brothers: 10 Years of Half Mile Harvest

Kicking off the Melbourne International Jazz Festival with a day of soul, funk, jazz and blues,

Close-up portrait of the musician Bigyuki (Masayuki Hirano) looking toward the camera while wearing a dark, oversized black hood that frames his face and partially covers his head.

BIGYUKI

Epic synths and electrifying breaks from one of music’s great innovators.

Jazz musicians playing trumpets and sax live on stage.

Rebirth Brass Band

Bringing the New Orleans energy to Melbourne.

Inside a bustling market hall

Things you can only see in the city

Uncover secret rooms, historic architecture and iconic landmarks found only in the city.

A family of four standing in a grand library with antique desks, large white walls and a dome ceiling.

Things you can only do in the city

There's only one place to find these rare Melbourne experiences and secret spots.

Multiple plates on a white table cloth.

Things you can only eat in the city

Where to find the city's most iconic dishes.

Discover more

A scene from Mrs Doubtfire The Musical with the protagonist dancing with three children.

25 Nov – 14 Feb

Mrs Doubtfire

It's a feel-good musical, poppets.

Santa in front of a lit up Christmas tree in Fed Square.

Christmas in the city

See the city light up with dazzling displays, festive events and activities for the whole family.

Flinders street station lit up in blue lights at night

7 things Melburnians will do even if it's raining

From AFL games and night markets to winter festivals and theatre shows.

A night tennis match at Rod Laver Arena.

Major events

From the Australian Open to the Melbourne Cup, major events take centre stage throughout the year.