Havana Jazz Plaza Festival 2026 Program: What to Expect This January in Cuba

The official program for the 41st Havana Jazz Plaza Festival has been released, confirming that Jazz Plaza 2026 will be one of the most expansive and musically ambitious editions in the festival’s history.

Taking place from January 25 through February 1, 2026, the festival unfolds across Havana, Santiago de Cuba, Santa Clara, and—for the first time—Holguín. This year’s event combines large-scale concerts, intimate club shows, and the critical Coloquio Internacional de Jazz, an academic program that sets this event apart from other international jazz festivals.

Below is a breakdown of the 2026 program highlights and how to experience the festival like an insider.

A Multi-City Musical Event

While Havana remains the epicenter, Jazz Plaza 2026 continues its commitment to a multi-city format. Curated programming will be held in:

• Havana: The cultural heart with the highest concentration of venues.

• Santiago de Cuba: The cradle of son and Afro-Cuban rhythms.

• Santa Clara & Holguín: Expanding the festival’s footprint into central and eastern Cuba.

This structure allows audiences to engage with jazz in diverse settings, from the historic Basílica Menor del Convento de San Francisco de Asís to the cutting-edge stages of Fábrica de Arte Cubano (FAC).

Major Concert Highlights & Artists

The 2026 lineup, led by Artistic Director Roberto Fonseca, balances legendary Cuban figures with international collaborators. Key performances and projects to watch for include:

• Roberto Fonseca’s “Selection of Masters”: A special closing show and featured performances in Santiago de Cuba.

• From Montreux to Havana: A showcase featuring Cuban winners of the Montreux Jazz Festival, including Yilian Cañizares, Rolando Luna, and Harold López-Nussa.

• Contemporary Cuban Voices: Performances by Dayramir González, Zahili Zamora, Yaroldy Abreu, and Oliver Valdés.

• International Guests: Artists from over 15 countries, including Aaron Goldberg, Amina Figarova, and the JoGo Project (USA).

The programming moves fluidly between straight-ahead jazz, Afro-Cuban forms, and interdisciplinary collaborations with dance and visual arts.

Key Venues in Havana

If you are navigating the festival on your own, these are the primary hubs:

• Teatro Nacional (Sala Avellaneda and Sala Covarrubias)

• Jardines Teatro Mella

• Teatro Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes

• Pabellón Cuba (often the site of younger, high-energy afternoon sets)

• Fabrica de Arte Cubano

The Jazz Plaza Colloquium: More Than Just Concerts

The Coloquio Internacional de Jazz “Leonardo Acosta in Memoriam” remains a core pillar of the festival. This year’s academic program (running concurrently with the music) features:

• Masterclasses: Led by visiting international professors and Cuban masters.

• Panel Discussions: Focused on jazz history, gender representation in music, and the evolution of the saxophone tradition in Cuba.

• Tributes: Celebrating the 50-year career of the legendary group Síntesis.

For educators and serious listeners, these sessions provide the necessary context to understand why Cuban jazz sounds the way it does.

Planning Your Trip to Jazz Plaza 2026

Navigating the official schedule can be a challenge, as venues and times frequently shift. We recommend downloading the program but staying flexible.

Download the full schedule here.

Join Our Musician-Led Tour

At Havana Music Tours, we curate a small-group Havana Jazz Festival Tour designed for those who want deeper access. Our tours are led by professional musicians and include:

• Festival Passes with preferred seating.

• Private concerts and studio visits with festival performers.

• Legal travel for US citizens under the “Support for the Cuban People” category.

Contact us if you have more questions about our tour.