Guide to Malaga Jazz Festival 2026
One of the biggest events in Malaga during the autumn is the annual Malaga Jazz Festival when the city brings together some of the brightest musicians and singers to the Cervantes Theatre stage. This year’s event is the 40th edition.
When is Malaga Jazz Festival 2026?
This year’s festival runs from 3 to 10 November.
Need a hotel for Malaga Jazz Festival?
Check out our list of recommended accommodation in Malaga. Or take a look at our comprehensive guide to where to stay in Malaga, with detailed descriptions of each area in the city.
What’s the programme this year?
As usual, Malaga Jazz Festival showcases the best of the genre in the world, with top class musicians and singers on stage. Note that all concerts start at 8pm and last for 1h15 to 1h30.
Tuesday 3 November – Mario Biondi: most famous for his 2004 hit single, This is what you are, the Italian vocalist and his band bring the eponymous concert to Malaga. Expect soul, R&B and funk sounds to ring through.
Wednesday 4 November – Nate Smith: one of the most influential drummers in contemporary jazz, Smith is this year’s winner for MalagaJazz Award. His music combines jazz, funk and soul.
Thursday 5 November – Alfa Mist: Londoner Mist is an instrumentalist, rapper, and producer, as well as an accomplished piano player. Expect an hour or so of hip-hop and neo-soul infused with contemporary jazz.
Friday 6 November – Kurt Rosenwinkel: one of the world’s leading jazz guitarists, Rosenwinkel and his four-man band offer a concert combining composition and improvisation (the very essence of jazz).
Saturday 7 November – The James Carter Organ Trio: led by saxophonist James Carter, this concert pays tribute to maestro Coltrane in the centenary of his birth. Songs include Syeeda’s song flute, Countdown, Little hats and Odyssey.
Sunday 8 November – Kenny Baron Songbook: joining pianist Baron are Ekep Nkwelle on vocals,
Linda Oh on double-bass and Greg Hutchinson on drums, as Baron presents his latest album, Songbook. Expect Baron to show why he’s one of the best jazz pianists today.
Monday 9 November – Kurt Elling & Yellow Jackets celebrate Weather Report: Elling, a Grammy-award winner, joins forces with the Yellow Jackets to pay tribute to Weather Report, a hugely influential band in the 70s, who changed the face of modern jazz.
Tuesday 10 November – Michel Camilo Trio: the last performance of the 2026 Jazz Festival in Malaga welcomes Latin jazz pianist, Camilo and his two companions, Ricky Rodríguez (double-bass) and Antonio Sánchez (drums). Discounts not available for this concert.
See the full programme for the Malaga Jazz Festival.
Note that all concerts start at 8pm.
Read our guide to where to hear live music in Malaga
How much are tickets for the Malaga Jazz Festival?
Tickets cost between €12 and €70 (an absolute bargain to listen to some of the world’s top jazz musicians).
Are there discounts this year?
Yes, the Cervantes Theatre applies the usual discounts when you buy tickets to 3 or more concerts.
- 3 or more concerts – 10% off
- 5 or more concerts – 20% off
Note that the above discounts don’t apply to the concerts by Michel Camilo Trio.
Palacete de Álamos
Palacete de Álamos is a boutique hotel housed in a beautifully restored mansion, offering a luxurious and intimate escape in Malaga. The late 19th century palace includes several original features such as the staircase and houses a section of the city’s medieval wall. Location Nestled in the historic centre …
Where can I book tickets?
The programme includes links to buy tickets online.
- You can buy tickets for the Malaga Jazz Festival through the following outlets:
- By phone – (+34) 902 360 295 or (+34) 952 076 262)
- At the Cervantes Theatre box office, open Tuesday to Friday, 11am to 2pm and 6 to 8.30pm, and Saturday 6 to 8.30pm.
What about other jazz events in Malaga?
The Malaga Jazz Festival usually includes free jazz concerts at venues around the city (restaurants and hotels) and in open-air spaces.
To be confirmed
Saturday November at 1pm – El Gremio jazz group play in the Auditorio Curro Romero (Google map link here). Get there on the No 8 or No 11 bus from the Alameda Principal (allow 30 minutes).
Saturday November at 6pm – Escandaloso Xpósito plays saxophone in Plaza Jerónimo Cuervo (in front of the Cervantes Theatre).
Sunday November at 1pm – Dani Domínguez, accompanied by piano, trombone and double bass, plays in the Auditorio Curro Romero (Google map link here). Get there on the No 8 or No 11 bus from the Alameda Principal (allow 30 minutes).
Sunday November at 6pm – Carmen Lancho (vocals) and the Jose Carra Quartet perform in Plaza Jerónimo Cuervo (in front of the Cervantes Theatre).
Entry is free to all the above concerts and seats are provided in Auditorio Curro Romero.
Concerts in the city centre
There are also free jazz concerts in squares and hotels:
Thursday November
Friday November
Saturday November
Sunday November
- Hotel La Chancla in Pedregalejo,
- Plaza de la Merced,
- Novotel Suites,
- Hotel Ibis Malaga Centro
- Hotel Molina Lario
- Antojo Restaurant in the Soho district
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