#NEWMUSIC: NIAGARA JAZZ FESTIVAL SUMMER 2026 LINE-UP

The Niagara Jazz Festival is proud to announce the artist and presentation line-up for the 2026 Niagara Jazz Festival, taking place June 25 – 28 & July 4 – 5 in Niagara-on-the-Lake and St. Catharines.

Now celebrating its 13th year, the award-winning festival continues to showcase remarkable, compelling, multicultural, and genre-blending jazz talent in some of Niagara’s most stunning settings—from picturesque wineries to elegant jazz venues and acclaimed local eateries throughout Niagara-on-the-Lake and St. Catharines.

This year’s festival is energized by a newly appointed all-volunteer Board of Directors comprised of experienced professionals from the fields of music and festival production, media and marketing, arts organizations, legal services, education, Indigenous organizations, humanitarian programming, fundraising, and community development.

The new board is united in its commitment to preserving the festival’s artistic excellence while building a strong fiscal foundation to ensure the Niagara Jazz Festival thrives for years to come. “The Niagara Jazz Festival entered 2026 with renewed energy and excitement, committed to showcasing top-flight musical talent in the region,” said Tim Johnson, interim chair. “With curatorial excellence, Juliet Dunn has fashioned transcendent experiences for our Black History Month and International Jazz Day programs and has lined up incredible performances for our signature festival events in June and early July. As an established organization with a profound history, we are very proud of the role the Niagara Jazz Festival plays in the community,” said Tim Johnson, Chair of the Niagara Jazz Festival Board of Directors.

Weekend One will take place in Niagara-on-the-Lake from June 25 to 28, 2026, and will feature concerts, vineyard performances, jazz crawls, and special events throughout the town.

Weekend Two will take place in St. Catharines and Port Dalhousie on July 4–5, 2026, featuring two vibrant days of international music and cultural celebration. On Saturday, July 4, audiences can enjoy an exciting lineup of live performances in downtown St. Catharines from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The festivities continue on Sunday, July 5, with the return of the popular World

Music on the Beach at Lakeside Park in Port Dalhousie, showcasing international artists from 11:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. The event will showcase more than 15 local, GTA, and internationally acclaimed bands, delivering an exciting blend of global music traditions—including Afrobeat, Latin, reggae, world fusion, and beyond—in a vibrant, high-energy atmosphere designed to get audiences moving. Festivalgoers can also explore a diverse selection of food and beverage vendors, artisan marketplaces, and interactive community experiences, alongside a dedicated children’s area offering fun for all ages. Set against the beautiful waterfront backdrop of sun, sand, and lakefront views, the event promises a dynamic celebration of music, culture, and community. Lots of fun for the whole family!

Featured world music artists include internationally acclaimed performers such as Keubitbit from Indonesia and Vivi Makado from the Ivory Coast, alongside an exciting roster of global musicians representing diverse musical traditions and cultures.

Festival highlights also include:

● June 20—Soft Launch & Photography Exhibit in partnership with the Niagara Artists Centre—Concert with Cole Schmidt and Alvaro Roja / Featured Photographers: Dan Brown, Cosmo Condina, Jeff on Camera, and Ron De Fields.

● June 25 – Soul Jazz in the Vineyard featuring The Quincy Bullen Band, featuring guest vocalists Tamiya Cox and Simone Soman at Hare Wine Co.

● June 26—The festival’s flagship event, Bossa Nova in the Vineyard, featuring Duo Lab + Band: Brazilian Jazz Fusion at Reif Estate Winery

● Performances by finalists and winners from the annual Jazz 4 the Ages youth competition

●The return of two popular free performance series:

●June 27 & 28—Summer Jazz Crawl throughout various locations in Niagara-on-the-Lake venues (FREE EVENT)
● Throughout both weekends—After Hours Jazz Jams throughout various venues (FREE EVENTS)

Executive Artistic Director and Co-Creator Juliet Dunn expressed her enthusiasm for this year’s festival. “I’m incredibly excited for our 13th summer season and can’t believe how far we’ve come! It’s incredible!! We have an amazing team of dedicated volunteer board members and volunteers working tirelessly behind the scenes, along with tremendous support from our community partners and the community as a whole. The musicians joining us this season are truly exceptional, and we’re honored to welcome them to our stages here in Niagara. My heart is full. Here’s to an unforgettable summer and our best season yet! “said Dunn.” The Niagara Jazz Festival remains deeply invested in the Niagara community and encourages local residents and supporters to get involved in this year’s festivities. Opportunities remain available for volunteers, vendors, sponsors, and donors. For more information or to get involved, contact admin@niagarajazzfestival.com or visit Niagara Jazz Festival.

ABOUT THE NIAGARA JAZZ FESTIVAL

The Niagara Jazz Festival is an award-winning not-for-profit music festival dedicated to celebrating jazz and world music throughout the year, with a summer festival in June. Now in its 13th season, the festival aims to inspire, educate, and develop jazz audiences by combining live music with an immersive Niagara experience: food, wine, culture, attractions, and natural wonders. Niagara Jazz Festival also hosts LIVE. LEARN.JAZZ educational events that include master class workshops and the popular JAZZ 4 the AGES Youth Competition—keeping jazz music alive for generations to come. The Niagara Jazz Festival is supported by Presenting Sponsor TD Bank Group