Festival information

Festival: Istanbul Jazz Festival

Type: Jazz and contemporary music festival

Status: Active

Founded: 1994

Schedule: Annually, mainly in July

2026 dates: June 30 to July 13, 2026

City: Istanbul

Organizer: Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV)

Sponsor: Garanti BBVA

Jazz network memberships: Europe Jazz Network and Türkiye Caz Ağı

Website: https://caz.iksv.org/

The Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts has organized the Istanbul Jazz Festival since 1994. The festival places jazz at the center of a creative program that is open to new ideas, inclusive, and accessible. Its program also includes rock, pop, blues, reggae, funk, electronic music, and music from around the world.

The festival takes place in concert halls, outdoor venues, parks, and cultural spaces across Istanbul. It introduces audiences in Türkiye to international artists and supports local musicians' new work, special projects, and international collaborations. Its contribution extends beyond the concerts to Istanbul's cultural life and the growth of Türkiye's music industry.

Genç Caz+ (Young Jazz+), a program for young musicians running since 2003, gives young jazz groups a chance to perform at the festival. Support from the Mehmet Uluğ Fund helps these musicians make professional recordings.

Launched in 2017, Vitrin, the Türkiye Contemporary Music Meeting, brings musicians and groups from Türkiye together with international festival directors, programmers, and music industry representatives. It aims to give the local scene greater visibility abroad.

Since 2002, the festival has presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to artists and cultural figures who have made significant contributions to jazz in Türkiye. Founding director Görgün Taner led the festival from 1994 to 2005, followed by Pelin Opcin from 2005 to 2018. The festival continued under the direction of Harun İzer.

The 33rd festival was held from June 30 to July 13, 2026, with about 30 concerts and nearly 200 artists performing at venues across Istanbul. Garanti BBVA sponsored the festival.

The festival has taken place every year since 1994.

It is organized by İKSV.

The festival sponsor is Garanti BBVA.

Genç Caz+

Since 2003, the program has offered young and amateur jazz musicians the opportunity to perform at the festival.

Vitrin – Türkiye Contemporary Music Meeting

Since 2017, it has brought local musicians together with international music industry representatives.

Lifetime Achievement Award

The award has recognized major contributions to jazz since 2002.

The 2026 festival

The 33rd Istanbul Jazz Festival took place from June 30 to July 13, 2026.

Official website

https://caz.iksv.org/

The festival is a member of the Europe Jazz Network.

It also belongs to Türkiye Caz Ağı.