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.
