The Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) is expanding into a month-long city-wide event in 2027, marking a significant change after 26 years of being a single-weekend festival. The festival, which has been a staple of Cape Town's cultural calendar, will take place throughout March, with various venues across the city hosting performances and events. This new format aims to bring the festival to different neighborhoods and community spaces, making it more accessible and inclusive. The festival will feature a range of local and international artists, with a focus on jazz and other genres.
The festival will be decentralised, with multiple venues hosting performances and events. Some of the confirmed venues include St George's Cathedral, Greenmarket Square, the Company's Garden, Artscape Theatre Centre, the Homecoming Centre, Texas Nightclub, Youngblood-Africa Gallery, and Guga S'thebe in Langa. The festival will be divided into two flagship weekends: the Homecoming weekend on March 12-13, 2027, and the grand finale weekend on March 19-21, 2027. Each weekend will feature a range of performances, masterclasses, and panel discussions.
The festival will feature 20 local and 20 international artists, as well as special collaborations with the CTIJF Jazz Orchestra. The event will also include free community concerts, intimate performances, masterclasses, panel discussions, and an art gallery exhibition. A fashion show will also be part of the festival. The ticket options will range from free entry to tiered pricing, aiming to maximise accessibility and community engagement.
According to Georgia Jones, Co-Director of the CTIJF, the festival's expansion into a month-long event will have a profound economic and social impact on the city. The festival will create opportunities for local businesses, venues, and homegrown artistry to shine on an extended stage. Jones also emphasized that the festival will celebrate music and bring the city alive with world-class, boundary-pushing artists.
Carolyn Sierra, Co-Director of the CTIJF, added that the festival's new format will create a richer connection between the music, audiences, and the city. The festival will take the CTIJF into the cultural, community, and public spaces of Cape Town, making the city the festival. This new approach will also give partners new opportunities to be part of the festival and create experiences that resonate beyond the stage.
Early Bird tickets for the CTIJF will go on sale via Quicket on October 30, with all ticket types and tiers on sale on November 16. Tickets for Month of the Mother City events will go on sale 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, alongside the full Month of the Mother City calendar.
The festival's organisers are excited about the new format and its potential to transform the city into a stage for connection, discovery, and global celebration. The festival's expansion into a month-long event is expected to make it a more vibrant and inclusive celebration of music and culture. The CTIJF's new format will also provide a platform for local and international artists to showcase their talents and connect with audiences in different parts of the city.
Key points
- The Cape Town International Jazz Festival will expand into a month-long city-wide event in 2027, featuring performances and events across various venues in Cape Town.
- The festival will feature 20 local and 20 international artists, as well as special collaborations with the CTIJF Jazz Orchestra.
- Early Bird tickets for the CTIJF will go on sale via Quicket on October 30, with all ticket types and tiers on sale on November 16.
