US actress and singer Marla Gibbs once said, “Jazz … is our heritage. Jazz is a culture; it’s not a fad. It’s up to us to see to it that it stays alive.”

From the streets of New Orleans to the shores of Montreux and the heart of Johannesburg, jazz festivals are stages where its melodic and rhythmic instruments keep playing, ensuring the genre continues to thrive. These festivals are more than concerts; they’re celebrations of identity, community, and shared heritage.

And the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz festival is no different. Taking place during Heritage Month, this year marks the 26th edition of this legendary event, which showcases some of the world’s best jazz artists together with incredible local talent.

Artists such as Esperanza Spalding, Meshell Ndegeocello, Wynton Marsalis, and The Baylor Project have graced the stages of renowned jazz festivals worldwide and are back again to entertain local audiences.

In the spirit of all things jazz, here’s a look at some of the most iconic events where the genre is celebrated – and how much it could cost to secure your seat (with a little #ShyftMath to keep your wallet in tune).

1. Standard Bank Joy of Jazz (SA)

When and where: 26-28 September 2025, Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg

Why it’s iconic: Joy of Jazz has hosted legends like Hugh Masekela, Abdullah Ibrahim, and Herbie Hancock alongside global stars. For the first time, this year’s event will span three days and celebrate the voices of virtuoso women.

Tickets: Range from R1 350 for a day pass to R3 250 for a weekend pass.

2. Cape Town International Jazz Festival (SA)

When and where: 27-28 March 2026, Cape Town International Convention Centre

Why it’s iconic: Originally named the North Sea Jazz Festival Cape Town, it first took place in 2000 as a collaboration with the North Sea Jazz Festival. Dubbed “Africa’s Grandest Gathering”, it’s been recognised as one of the top jazz festivals in the world. 

Tickets: Range from R1 050 for a Festino early-bird day pass to R1 650 for an early-bird weekend pass.

3. North Sea Jazz Festival (Netherlands)

When and where: 10-12 July 2026, Rotterdam Ahoy

Why it’s iconic: First taking place in 1976, the North Sea Jazz Festival is now known as the largest indoor music festival in the world.

Tickets: Range from €140 for a day pass to €365 for a weekend pass.

Shyft math: Depending on the exchange rate, a day pass (€140) costs between R2 660 and R3 053, while a weekend pass (€365) costs R6 935 to R7 963.

4. Montreal International Jazz Festival (Canada)

When and where: Late June to early July 2026, Montreal

Why it’s iconic: Holding the Guinness World Record as the world’s largest jazz festival, it welcomed more than 1.9 million fans on its 25th anniversary in 2004. Each year, the festival transforms downtown Montreal into a stage.

Tickets: While there are free events, tickets can range from CAD$112 for general admission to CAD$1 256 for VIP.

5. Monterey Jazz Festival (US)

When and where: 26-28 September 2025, Monterey County Fairgrounds, California

Why it’s iconic: Established in 1958, it’s the longest-running jazz festival in the world and has seen nearly 2 900 performances. Now in its 68th edition, the festival is committed to celebrating America’s creativity and cultural heritage.

Tickets: A single-day ground ticket costs $63, $88 for a single-day arena ticket, $198 for a three-day ground ticket, and $298 to $693 for a three-day arena ticket.

Shyft math: 

• Single-day ground: R1 091 to R1 256
• Single-day arena: R1 524 to R1 754
• Three-day ground: R3 430 to R3 949
• Three-day arena: R5 161 to R5 939 ($298) / R11 998 to R13 811 ($693)

6. Montreux Jazz Festival (Switzerland)

When and where: 3-18 July 2026, Lake Geneva

Why it’s iconic: It’s the second-largest annual jazz festival in the world and will celebrate its 60th edition in 2026. The festival offers music lovers a more intimate experience: “Artists are up close and personal with their fans, which encourages deeply memorable, and even legendary, moments.”

Tickets: While there are free events, ticket prices can range from 700 Swiss francs for a podium ticket to 1 500 Swiss francs for the VIP experience.

7. Umbria Jazz (Italy)

When and where: 3-12 July 2026, Perugia

Why it’s iconic: This 10-day event turns the city of Perugia into a stage and brings together music, local food, and culture. The success of this festival has also led to the creation of two smaller ones: Umbria Jazz Winter in Orvieto (30 December 2025 to 3 January 2026) and Umbria Jazz Spring.

Tickets: A single-day ticket starts at about €25, a three-day pass ranges from €150 to €250, a full festival pass costs between €350 and €450, and VIP experiences start at more than €600.

Shyft math: Tickets cost R475 to R545 (single-day), R2 850 to R5 453 (three-day), R6 650 to R9 815 (full festival), and R11 400+ to R13 086+ (VIP).

8. San Sebastián Jazz Festival (Spain)

When and where: 22-26 July 2026, Donostia/San Sebastián

Why it’s iconic: Known as Jazzaldia, it’s Spain’s oldest jazz festival and one of the longest-running in Europe, having celebrated its 60th edition this year. It takes place in covered venues, including theatres, museums, and auditoriums, and outdoors (beaches, squares and parks). 

Tickets: Pricing for next year’s tickets is not available yet, but tickets usually start at around €7 and could go up to about €60.

Shyft math: Depending on the exchange rate, tickets range from R133 to R153 (for €7) and R1 140 to R1 309 (for €60).

9. Melbourne International Jazz Festival (Australia)

When and where: 17-26 October 2025, Melbourne

Why it’s iconic: It’s Australia’s largest festival of its kind, and this year the festival has its biggest lineup ever, with more than 150 performances scheduled. The free opening night event will feature over 100 of the best musicians from Australia and beyond.

Tickets: While there are free events, tickets can range from A$39 to A$239.

Shyft math: Ranges from R442 (strongest) to R474 (weakest) for the A$39 tickets and R2 705 (strongest) to R2 901 (weakest) for the A$239 tickets.

10. New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (US)

When and where: 23 April-3 May 2026, Fair Grounds Race Course, New Orleans

Why it’s iconic: Taking place in the birthplace of jazz, the festival looks to honour this legacy. Established by the late George Wein, the jazz impresario behind the Newport Jazz Festival, it’s grown from an event that only had about 350 attendees to a world-famous festival that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to New Orleans and pumps $350 million a year into the local economy. 

Tickets: A one-day ticket starts at $99, a four-day weekend pass at $369, and a VIP ticket ranges from $929 to $1 899.

Shyft math: 

• One-day ticket: R1 715 (strongest) to R1 974 (weakest)
• Four-day weekend: R6 395 to R7 352
• VIP: R16 090 to R18 518 ($929) and R32 890 to R37 850 ($1 899)

Honourable mentions:

• Tokyo Jazz Festival (Japan) takes place in September. It fuses Japanese artistry with international legends in futuristic Tokyo venues.
• Havana Jazz Festival (Cuba) takes place in January. It’s a vibrant celebration of Latin jazz and Afro-Cuban rhythms, deeply tied to heritage and culture.
• Newport Jazz Festival (US) takes place in August. Founded in 1954, it’s the birthplace of legendary live albums and historic jazz moments.
• Java Jazz Festival (Indonesia) takes place in March. One of the largest jazz festivals in Asia, Java Jazz blends international stars with Indonesia’s rich musical traditions.

From Cape Town to Montreal, Melbourne to Havana, these festivals prove that jazz is a global heritage and a shared language of culture.

South Africans can experience it right at home with Standard Bank Joy of Jazz or use Shyft’s cheapest forex rates to visit the world’s biggest stages without overspending.

*Shyft math calculations based on the following 2025 exchange rates:

• USD/ZAR: R17.32 (strongest, 15 September) – R19.93 (weakest, 10 April)
• EUR/ZAR: R19.00 (strongest, 10 February) – R21.81 (weakest, 10 April)
• AUD/ZAR: R11.32 (strongest, 24 August) – R12.14 (weakest, 10 April)