Guinness Cork Jazz Festival Gets Underway in Cork - Your Guide to This Weekend

23/10/2026

The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Damian Boylan, has welcomed the start of the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival this October Bank Holiday weekend.

More than 500 musicians will perform across 100 events and almost 80 venues throughout the city and beyond, providing a major boost to the city’s economy.

“The festival celebrates Cork’s creativity, our hospitality, our love of music and festivals, and our ability to bring people together,” the Lord Mayor said.

“What began at the Metropole Hotel has grown into Ireland’s largest city-based music festival and a festival of international standing, bringing visitors from Ireland and around the world to our city. It is a major contributor to Cork’s economy, supporting businesses and jobs across the city.”

City Hall’s Concert Hall will feature performances by The Stunning and The Boomtown Rats.

Among the headline Jazz acts are Annie Mac, Boney M, Berlioz, and Kokoroko.

On Friday night, there are some last remaining tickets available for Jaz Karis and 2FM Rising artist Jessica Doolan at Live at St Luke’s, while Riversphere featuring Iain Ballamy and Rob Luft take to Triskel and Jason Moran brings his acclaimed signature solo piano show to the city.

On Saturday, a second late show has been added for festival favourite Luke Thomas and the Swingcats at The Everyman, following the rapid sell-out of the first show.

Rounding out the weekend on Sunday night at Cork Opera House, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, supported by Cooks But We’re Chefs, will provide a feel-good finale.

Free music 

Beyond the main stages, the free Guinness Music Trail will bring live music to 70 venues across the city, while The Big Fringe adds street performances, brass bands, pop-up performances and plenty of unexpected festival moments. Highlights will include the:

• Jazz Stroll on Oliver Plunkett Street from 6.30pm on Friday;
• The Beat on the Street featuring acts like New York Brass Band, Hyde Park Brass Band, Lamarotte, Code of Behaviour, TBL8 Brass Band, Rebel Brass Band and Brass Kings;
• Jazz at Elizabeth Fort from 1pm to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday, as the visiting European brass bands come together for a final jam session before leaving Cork
• The Jazz Market on St Patrick’s Street;
• The Live at the Library series;
• and the Jazz Bus.

You’ll also catch jazz in Kinsale and Douglas.

Furthermore, Guinness will bring two free ticketed pop-up events to the festival: an intimate Snug Sessions pub session at Arthur’s Bar Friday evening and an exclusive late-night party with Kumar Klub at The Oliver Plunkett Saturday night.

The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival takes place until Monday.

Visit www.guinnesscorkjazz.com for tickets and updates, or follow @guinnesscorkjazz using #GuinnessCorkJazz.

The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival is supported by Diageo, Fáilte Ireland, Cork City Council and Cork Airport.

One of the festival's highlights is Beat on the Street, featuring bands from Ireland, the UK and Europe performing across Cork city centre from Friday to Sunday.

The line-up includes:

Oliver Plunkett Street Stroll

A major highlight is the Oliver Plunkett Street Stroll on Friday, 24 October, from 6.30pm.

Festival-goers can stroll from Grand Parade along the iconic Oliver Plunkett Street and through Maylor Street and Caroline Street while enjoying performances from some of the best national and international brass and marching bands in a unique celebration of live music.

Jazz in the Fort

Jazz in the Fort at Elizabeth Fort provides a new setting for the festival's free jazz stage this year, running from 1pm to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.

The historic venue will also host the Jazz Jamboree on Sunday at 5pm, bringing together visiting European brass bands for a final jam session before departing Cork.

Jazz Bus

An open-top Jazz Bus will tour the city centre on Saturday and Sunday, with live music on board throughout the day.

Jazz Market

St Patrick's Street will host the Jazz Market from 11am to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Organised by Goldiefish Events, the market will feature local food producers, craft makers and artisan traders.

Jazz at Daunt Square

On Saturday afternoon, Blarney Brass & Reed Band will perform at Daunt Square from 3pm to 3.30pm.

Jazz Gospel Service

The annual Jazz Gospel Service takes place at St Anne's Church, Shandon, at 10.45am on Sunday, 26 October.

Admission is free, although tickets are required.

This Is Cork Tours x Cork Jazz Festival Special

Festival visitors can also enjoy a special ticketed walking tour tracing the history of the Cork Jazz Festival since its launch in 1978.

Live at the Library

The Rory Gallagher Music Library at Cork City Library will host a series of talks and performances throughout the week:

Wednesday

• Ian Darrington MBE discusses the development of jazz festivals around the world at 11am.

Thursday

• The Wonderful Musical World of Oz at noon, an interactive music and storytelling event for children and families.
• Lunchtime concert at 1pm featuring Irish singer-songwriter Neasa.

Friday

• Cork jazz vocalist Ivy Favier presents Women in Jazz at 11am, exploring the contribution of women to jazz from the 1940s to today.
• New York Brass Band performs at 2pm.

Community Outreach

The Fringe will also have a strong community focus, with musicians visiting schools and care centres across Cork as part of the festival outreach programme.

Festival Club and Riverside Sessions

The Jazz Festival Club at the Metropole Hotel, where the festival began 48 years ago, will run throughout the weekend.

Meanwhile, the River Lee Hotel will host live music in its Riverside Bar across the Bank Holiday Weekend.

Chairperson's Comment

Fiona Collins, Chairperson of the Cork Jazz Festival Committee, said:

“The Big Fringe is a real highlight for many festival-goers. The energy and enthusiasm of acts like Hyde Park Brass and our local talents such as Rebel Brass always bring the streets to life. Of course, it wouldn’t be possible without our partners Diageo, Cork City Council, Cork Airport, Fáilte Ireland and many local businesses.”

Jazz in Kinsale

For even more jazz, the Guinness Kinsale Jazz Festival will run alongside the Cork city programme.

Highlights include:

• Street performances by marching brass band Lamarotte on Saturday afternoon.
• More than 100 live performances over four days.
• Events at venues including The Blue Haven, Hamlets, Kitty O'Sé's, Harry's, Oscar's, Sam's, The Lord Kingsale, The White House, Trident Hotel, Dalton's, The Spaniard, The White Lady, Tap Tavern and The Bulman.
• An eight-piece brass showband from Kent performing at Oscar Madisons.
• The return of fan favourites Loose Change.

Main Festival Programme

The Big Jazz Fringe complements the main Guinness Cork Jazz Festival programme, which features ticketed concerts and the popular Guinness Music Trail across more than 70 pubs and venues throughout the city.

The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival takes place from 22-26 October.

For the full programme and booking information, visit guinnesscorkjazz.com or follow @guinnesscorkjazz using #GuinnessCorkJazz.

The Fringe programme is supported by Guinness, Fáilte Ireland, Cork City Council, Cork Airport and local businesses.