Hundreds of artists coming to massive Vancouver music fest this month

Summer festival season is upon us, and a major music event that’s at the top of our to-do list is the Vancouver International Jazz Festival.

The 41st annual event is returning to stages all over the city from Friday, June 19, to Monday, July 5.

Vancouver International Jazz Festival is a citywide summer staple, with internationally renowned artists, Marquee Series performances, and plenty of free programming.

Organizers say that they will also be ready for the huge crowds of visitors coming to the city this summer.

Coastal Jazz

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“It’s really important to all of us at Coastal Jazz to offer the annual Vancouver International Jazz Festival this year and at this time, which is fondly and often regarded as the unofficial start of summer in the city,” said Nina Horvath, executive director of the Coastal Jazz and Blues Society, in a release.

“With so many visitors in Vancouver in June and July, we want tourists to have something local to experience, knowing that our programming contributes to the vibrancy and excitement of summer in the city. On top of that, the festival runs an impressive 16 days, including North Shore Jazz programming — making it our longest festival run in some time.”

Coastal Jazz

Those looking to fill their jazz festival calendar will want to check out the Marquee Series with acclaimed artists like Keyon Harrold, Isaiah Collier, and Amina Claudine Myers alongside local and international acts.

You can find shows all over the city, including Granville Island, Downtown, the North Shore, and more. There are over 175 concerts and events, with several new stages hosting performances this year.

“We’re partnering with some new venues for this year’s festival, like The Hollywood Theatre and The Birdhouse, who will host Tomoki Sanders, a saxophonist from New York City, as well as Dutch Punk Band, The Ex,” said Cole Schmidt, co-artistic director of the Vancouver International Jazz Festival.

“We’ll also feature a wide mix of greatness from our own scene and continue our ongoing collaborations with organizations such as the Western Front, Queer Arts Festival and Talking Stick.”

Coastal Jazz

This year also marks the return of Downtown Jazz, a free concert series taking place
outside the Vancouver Art Gallery at šxʷƛ ̓ ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square on June 27 and 28.

The event will include live performances, youth stages, DJs, community experiences, artisan vendors, and food trucks.

Vancouver International Jazz Festival features 30 free shows and 43 “Pay What You Can” (PWYC) performances throughout the 16 days.

Make plans for the free lunch hour concerts on the Dunsmuir Patio at Bentall Centre, and head to Granville Island for a full day of PWYC concerts on July 1 at Ocean Artworks.

All PWYC shows will have tickets available at the door, and no one will be turned away for lack of funds at those events.

Coastal Jazz

“This year’s lineup reflects everything we love celebrating about this music: collaboration, openness for the unexpected, and the transformation that happens when audiences and musicians both are giving their attention to the moment,” added Schmidt in a statement.

“Current affairs and the FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule have led to many limitations and hindrances in this work, but thankfully, our connection with the community has once again helped us land on our feet. We’re expecting another really great time together this summer.”

The full festival schedule and tickets are available now.

Vancouver International Jazz Festival

When: June 19 to July 5, 2026
Time: Various times
Where: Various venues across Vancouver
Tickets: Free and ticketed events