The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival is a renowned five-day event that has attracted top-tier artists and devoted fans for over 46 years. Steadily growing in stature over that time, the festival is known for combining electrifying performances from jazz legends like Dizzy Gillespie and Sonny Rollins with statement sets from contemporary standard-bearers and trendsetters pushing the boundaries of the genre like Damon Albarn, Macy Gray, and De La Soul. The festival’s offer of unprecedented access to such an eclectic mix of artists has made it the largest music-centred city celebration in Ireland.

Celebrating its 46th year, the world-renowned festival will will take place over the October bank holiday weekend and see its biggest programme yet, with an extra date added and more ticketed shows than ever before, an extended music trail through the city, and a stellar line-up of Irish and international musicians, both veteran and emerging talent. 

Festival goers can expect a diverse range of musical styles which far surpass dusty definitions of “jazz,” including swing, bebop, fusion, and traditional jazz, but also featuring carefully curated examples of the influence the genre has stamped on the realms of hip-hop, R&B, and dance music.

Cork Jazz is for the people! One of the best-loved aspects of the festival is its accessibility. In addition to the top-line shows at premiere venues like the Cork Opera House, Live At St. Luke’s, the Everyman, and the Triskel Arts Centre, there are countless surrounding pop-up events, late night parties, boat trips, spontaneous collaborations, and even brass bands marching through the city streets, making this one of Ireland’s most popular and family-friendly festivals. 

The hugely successful 2023 Guinness Cork Jazz Festival smashed all records attracting over 100,000 visitors to Cork City and this year promises to be bigger and better.