The 2026 JZ Festival will run from Oct 16 to Nov 1, marking the event's 22nd edition.

This year's festival is the largest in its history, spanning 17 days and featuring more than 100 musicians from over 20 countries and regions.

In total, 146 performances and industry forums will be held at 13 venues across the Qiantan area, including Qiantan Sports Park, New Bund Red Lane, Qiantan Leisure Park, Crystal Plaza, Youcheng Park, Qiantan Central Garden, New Bund 31 Performing Arts Center, and the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. Outdoor shows and events are free for all.

The festival is organized into six sections: Jazz Age Carnival, Jazz Avenue, Jazz Riverside, City-wide Jazz, Jazz Finale, and Qiantan Jazz Talk.

The Jazz Age Carnival will kick off the festivities at Qiantan Sports Park from Oct 16 to 18, featuring a vintage jazz market with classic cars, vinyl records, and retro clothing. It will be followed by sunset picnic concerts from Oct 19 to 23. On Oct 24, the festival will team up with the Music China expo to host a family music competition.

Jazz Avenue will be held on Oct 24 and 25 at New Bund Red Lane, expanding from a single stage last year to one large and three smaller ones this year, with multiple interactive zones.

Jazz Riverside will take place at Qiantan Leisure Park from Oct 27 to Nov 1, with the main stage set against the backdrop of the Huangpu River.

City-wide Jazz will take place at various locations from Oct 22 to Nov 1, including Youcheng Park, Qiantan Central Garden, and Crystal Plaza, bringing music to everyday urban spaces.

The festival will culminate in the Jazz Finale on Oct 31 and Nov 1. Five-time Grammy Award winner and world-renowned bassist Victor Wooten of the United States will take the stage at Echoland Qiantan on Oct 31, performing with his legendary family band, The Wooten Brothers.

From Oct 26 to Nov 1, the Qiantan Jazz Talk will host several forums at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and the New Bund 31 Performing Arts Center. Musicians, educators, promoters, record labels, venue operators, music enthusiasts, and aspiring industry professionals will gather for in-depth discussions, helping establish Qiantan as a hub for new ideas in the music industry.

Sources: JZ Music, Pudong New Area government