Durham Jazz Festival

About

The 2026 Durham Jazz Festival will run from Friday 23rd October through to Sunday 25th October, with the following outline programme:

The programme will commence with a Friday lunchtime launch event in the Durham Gala Studio – connecting with existing Friday jazz at the Gala. 
Throughout the three days, there will be a programme of performances across a number of Durham’s most interesting venues, including:

- the Gala Studio and Gala Theatre
- the Sir Thomas Allen Assembly Rooms
- the historic Durham Miners Hall (‘Redhills’)
- the Old Cinema Launderette in Gilesgate

The programme will include a Festival Headline show at the Gala Theatre on Saturday evening. We are currently in discussions with a number of national and local acts, including a high profile option for the Gala Headline show. We are also in discussions with Durham Cathedral regarding a possible performance in the Chapter House of the classical-jazz crossover work ‘St. Cuthbert’s Suite’ by Paul Edis, which celebrates its 10th anniversary next year.

In addition to the main events, we are planning daytime concerts on Saturday and Sunday at smaller venues around the city, including local shops, bars and restaurants. 

Discussions are already underway with a number of establishments. 

Finally, we are working with our musical advisors to programme masterclass workshops for young and emerging musicians, which will culminate in giving the participants an opportunity for short performances in one of our venues.