The Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) is undergoing a significant transformation in 2027. After 26 years of being a single-weekend event, the festival is expanding to a month-long celebration, dubbed the Month of the Mother City. This new format will see the festival decentralize, with events held across various cultural, community, and public spaces in Cape Town, including Table Mountain as its backdrop.
The Month of the Mother City will feature two flagship weekends. The Homecoming weekend, scheduled for March 12-13, 2027, will take place at the Homecoming Centre and Texas Nightclub. The grand finale weekend, from March 19-21, 2027, will span the Company's Garden, Greenmarket Square, and St George's Cathedral. In addition to these flagship weekends, performances and culturally engaging events will occur almost daily throughout March.
The festival will showcase 40 artists, comprising 20 local and 20 international performers, along with special collaborations with the CTIJF Jazz Orchestra. The event will also feature free community concerts, intimate performances, masterclasses, panel discussions, and an art gallery exhibition. A family day on March 21 will offer something for everyone, from music to activities for children.
The CTIJF's expansion aims to bring the festival to the neighborhoods and community spaces that make Cape Town vibrant. According to Georgia Jones, Co-Director of the CTIJF, this new format will have a profound economic and social impact, creating opportunities for local businesses, venues, and homegrown artistry to shine.
Carolyn Sierra, Co-Director of the CTIJF, emphasized that the city will become the festival in 2027. By taking the CTIJF into various cultural, community, and public spaces, the festival will create a richer connection between the music, audiences, and the city. This expansion will also provide new opportunities for partners to be part of the festival and help create experiences that resonate beyond the stage.
Ticket options for the Month of the Mother City events will range from free entry to tiered pricing, maximizing accessibility and community engagement. Early Bird tickets will go on sale via Quicket on October 30, with all ticket types and tiers on sale on November 16. Tickets for specific events will also be available via FIXR on November 30.
The line-ups for the Homecoming Centre weekend and the CTIJF grand finale weekend will be announced in the coming months, along with the full Month of the Mother City calendar. For more information, artists' line-ups, and the festival schedule, visit www.capetownjazzfest.com.
Key points
- The Cape Town International Jazz Festival is expanding to a month-long celebration in 2027.
- The festival will feature 40 artists, including 20 local and 20 international performers.
- Events will be held across various cultural, community, and public spaces in Cape Town.
