Cork Jazz Festival

The city of Cork is well known for its rich history and culture, as well as being a hub for foodies and art fans from around the world. Since 1978, it has also been home to the Cork Jazz Festival, which is one of the largest city-based music bashes in the country.

In 2025, it was a beloved annual celebration, and the 47th year of the event provided an unforgettable musical journey. That year, the festival took place between the 23rd and 27th over the bank holiday weekend. Cork Jazz Festival 2025 featured over 500 musicians spanning 100 acts across over 80 venues, including headliners like Cymande, Rejjie Snow and Sienna Spiro.

History and Heritage of the Festival

Origins of the Event

This Cork cultural institution was born in 1978 as the idea of businessman Jim Mountjoy. The festival’s evolution began when Jim, the marketing manager of the Metropole Hotel, was faced with the dilemma of filling the establishment over the newly introduced bank holiday.

The answer was, as it often is, jazz! The dynamic music genre was enjoying considerable popularity in Cork at the time, and Jim saw it as the perfect fit. Little did he know that his plan to fill a hotel over a couple of days would grow into an international attraction featuring legends like Sonny Rollins and Dizzy Gillespie.

What started as a humble gathering of music lovers is now one of Europe’s most recognised events, attracting more than 100,000 connoisseurs worldwide to enjoy some of the brightest stars of jazz.

The premier jazz festival in Cork has since incorporated diverse sub-genres and styles over the years, with no sign of slowing down in its innovation. The proud heritage of the festival is set to thrive for many years to come.

Festival Impact on the City

Of course, this is not just about providing sweet jazz vibes, as it has a notable positive economic impact on the city as well. Big events like this are always a boon to local businesses, as the over 100,000 people attending the festival also inevitably end up engaging in other non-jazz related activities during their stay.

Local business owners consider the event to be one of the most important of the year, as it transforms the Munster region into a major tourist draw. Both artists and tourists not only enjoy the music but also some of the other delights the city offers.

Hotels, restaurants, airports and other businesses benefit from the cultural transformation, with many reporting full occupancy throughout the event. The Cork Jazz Festival has transformed this city into one of Europe’s top music destinations.

Cork Jazz Festival 2025

Schedule Overview

The music bash traditionally occurs over the bank holiday weekend, and Cork Jazz Festival 2025 took place between October 23–27. As per tradition, it was kicked off with an elaborate opening ceremony featuring special guests – the Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor Fergal Dennehy, and artists Toshín and Lee Fields.

The festival followed a five-day format consisting of performances across multiple venues, but there were also some free options. These included the famous Guinness Music Trail and the Big Fringe street celebration. The event also featured daily programming like parades, jazz markets and late-night jams to keep the good vibes going around the clock. The activities began early and went on until around 2 am each night. Basically, Cork Jazz Festival 2025 had so much going on that it was impossible to ever be bored!

Festival Lineup

Cork Jazz Fest 2025 featured an all-star lineup of top jazz artists and talented up-and-comers. In recent years, event organisers have endeavoured to offer diverse acts and genres to provide something for everyone to enjoy, and 2025 was a great example of that.

On October 24, the iconic British funk group Cymande played at the Cork Opera House, bringing their unique blend of Caribbean rhythms with jazz, funk and soul. The following day, JP Cooper played a sold-out show at The Everyman venue. This British singer soothed the audience with his soulful music, calming things down. The international lineup also included Orchestra Baobab, the pioneering Senegalese band known for its distinctive blend of Afro-Cuban rhythms, Wolof traditions, rumba and jazz influences.

That year, the festival grew beyond its jazz roots: The Pharcyde added a dose of hip-hop to the mix, while artists like Jeff Mills, Nubya Garcia and Lee Fields kept the jazz roots very much alive.

Key Venues Across Cork

Headline Venues

During the Jazz Festival, Cork transforms into one big musical playground, with dozens of stages (about 80 in 2025) spread across the city's most iconic locations, from larger premium venues hosting high-profile acts to smaller ones designed for more intimate settings and a more personal experience.

• Cork Opera House. This is a modern landmark in Emmett Place with outstanding acoustics and a 1,000-seat capacity ideal for major headline performances.
• The Everyman Theatre. Its beautifully restored Victorian interior provides warm, resonant acoustics perfect for vocal and acoustic jazz.
• Cyprus Avenue. This 400-capacity venue attracts funk, neo-soul and jazz-fusion artists to play in unique standing-room settings.
• Live at St. Luke’s. This is not just a historic church, but a musical venue with naturally reverberant acoustics suited to intimate, atmospheric performances.
• Triskel Arts Centre. This cultural hub for contemporary arts usually hosts avant-garde jazz and experimental cross-genre projects.
• Kino. A small but flexible venue features a relaxed setting ideal for discovering up-and-coming artists and late-night experimental sessions.

Guinness Trail

Many shows sell out quickly and getting tickets can be a challenge. The festival can also be pricey, but there are free events to enjoy as well. The Guinness Music Trail is a citywide programme of free live jazz performances hosted in nearly 80 locations, including pubs, bars and small venues across Cork, Douglas and Kinsale during Cork Jazz weekend.

It is sponsored by Guinness, a world-famous Irish brewery brand. So if you’re not lucky enough to get tickets, you can still walk from pub to pub, enjoying live performances throughout the day with no booking required. And it’s not just about traditional jazz — the trail also features swing, funk, fusion and experimental sets from local musicians. The full list of concerts and venues is available on the festival’s official website under the Line-Up section, and on the Guinness Music Trail website.

How to Attend the Festival

Headline shows at the Cork Jazz Festival do require booking tickets in advance. The earlier the better, as many sell out fast in 2–6 weeks! On the official website guinnesscorkjazz.com, tickets average around €40.50, though prices vary depending on the act and venue. Keep in mind that some venues — especially pubs — have age restrictions of 18+.

Meanwhile, local businesses offer their own accommodation packages. For instance, The Metropole Hotel, The Imperial Hotel and Hayfield Manor offer VIP deals, featuring accommodation, priority access, reserved seating, and exclusive events. These packages are the first to sell out.

Festival Experience

The Big Fringe

The Big Fringe is another beloved free programme featuring street music, pub shows, bar concerts and jam sessions — events that sit outside the official line-up. Being in the city during Cork Jazz Weekend, you’ll hear music from literally every corner — from the city centre to Douglas and even Kinsale!

One of the highlights is the lively Jazz Stroll, when crowds walk from Grand Parade along Oliver Plunkett Street. Local and international brass bands, such as New York Brass Band, Rebel Brass, Lamarotte and TBL8 Brass Band, play music and turn the streets into a carnival. Mini gigs, DJ sets, and late-night sessions appear in different city locations. The Big Fringe also includes family events with masterclasses and special kids’ programmes, as well as jazz exhibitions, which are free during the festival weekend.

Food and Local Culture

During Cork Jazz Fest, music lovers from all over the world flock to a city of just over 220,000 people. And Cork, as a cultural hub for the south of Ireland, highlights its rich Irish heritage at this time.

The festive atmosphere spills far beyond concert halls and pubs. Local restaurants offer exclusive special jazz-themed menus and craft beer pairings. The Imperial and The Metropole hotels run jazz brunches, themed cocktails and late-night dining sessions. The English Market and the Marina Market offer artisan food and craft stalls. Crawford Art Gallery, The Glucksman, Nano Nagle Place and Cork Public Museum offer extended opening hours and present seasonal exhibitions.

Together, these events show how the festival celebrates not only jazz, but Cork’s culture with its gastronomy, craftsmanship and long-standing traditions.

Planning For Cork Jazz Fest 2026

If you weren’t able to attend Cork Jazz Festival 2025 or did attend and can’t wait for the 2026 event, it’s never too early to start planning. The lineup and specific bookings aren’t expected to be announced until August 2026, but that doesn’t mean that jazz lovers can’t start their preparations. Closer to the time, you can refer to the official Guinness Cork Jazz website as well as a dedicated visitor-guide app to check schedules, stage maps, live updates such as cancellations or changes, and a full list of free events.

Transportation within Cork is very convenient, as most festival venues are located in the city centre and are easily reached on foot. There are also Bus Éireann routes connecting the centre with areas such as Douglas and Blackpool, and NightRider services to help visitors get back to their accommodation after late events. Taxis are available as well, and those arriving by car will find several central car parks. 

If you’ve never been to Ireland before, then you should also prepare for the October weather, which can be rather cold, rainy and windy. Make sure you bring plenty of appropriate clothing if you don’t want to shiver through the whole Cork Jazz Festival.