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Welcome to the Cartagena Jazz Festival 2026 in Cartagena
The Cartagena Jazz Festival 2026 runs from 28 October to 15 November and marks the 45th edition in Cartagena, on Spain’s Mediterranean coast. Organised by the City Council of Cartagena, it is one of Spain’s longest-running jazz festivals, bringing international headliners, Spanish artists and neighbouring genres to harbour-side and old-town stages.
Highlights & Attractions at Cartagena Jazz Festival in Cartagena
- 45th edition of one of Spain’s oldest jazz festivals, with a strong international bill
- Main stage at Auditorio El Batel by the port: Ibrahim Maalouf, Andrea Motis, Kenny Barron, Kurt Elling & The Yellowjackets and Samara Joy
- Nine pass concerts at El Batel plus extra shows at Luzzy, Mr. Witt Café and the terrace
- Jazz meeting flamenco, soul, gospel, folk and contemporary songwriting
- Sunday midday concerts on the El Batel terrace (Pantera Blue, Tito Ramírez, La Perra Blanco)
- Intimate club nights and jam sessions at Mr. Witt Café, some with free admission
- Historic port city setting between the Roman old town and the Mediterranean
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Program & Schedule: What to Expect in 2026
The festival spans three weekends. It opens on 28 October at Mr. Witt Café (Aurora Plazza). The El Batel pass series starts on 30 October with Ibrahim Maalouf & The Trumpets of Michel-Ange Vol. 2 and continues with Andrea Motis & Barcelona Gospel Messengers, Niño Josele’s Bill Evans homage, Nubiyan Twist, Kenny Barron’s “Songbook”, Kurt Elling & The Yellowjackets, Rocío Márquez, Rita Payés & Lucía Fumero, and a closing night with Samara Joy on 15 November. Centro Cultural Ramón Alonso Luzzy hosts Micah P. Hinson (29 October), Izo FitzRoy (5 November) and Nacho Vegas (12 November). Typical start times are 20:00 or 20:30 at El Batel and Luzzy, 12:30 on the terrace and 21:30 at the café. Saturday morning concerts in Plaza del Icue are a traditional extra strand; check jazz.cartagena.es for the latest listings.
Tickets & Admission for Cartagena Jazz Festival Cartagena
Admission is not free. Single tickets range from 5 EUR at Mr. Witt Café to 25–35 EUR at El Batel. A festival pass covering nine El Batel concerts costs 135 EUR, with 200 passes available. Luzzy tickets are 18 EUR (Micah P. Hinson, Izo FitzRoy) and 27 EUR (Nacho Vegas). Terrace concerts are 15 EUR. Some jam sessions at Mr. Witt Café are free. Passes and tickets are sold via jazz.cartagena.es and the El Batel ticketing portals.
Visitor Tips: Travel & Accommodation in Cartagena
- Travel: regional trains to Cartagena, coaches, and Murcia (RMU) or Alicante (ALC) airports; El Batel is on the waterfront, Luzzy is in Cuatro Santos, both easy to reach on foot or by local bus.
- Weather and dress: late October and November are mild to cool and often windy by the sea; bring a jacket for terrace shows and smart-casual clothes for El Batel.
- Book hotels early around the port, the historic centre and El Batel, as three festival weekends fill the city.
- Allow transfer time between El Batel, Luzzy and Mr. Witt; venues are spread out but the city centre is compact.
- After concerts, walk the Roman old town and the waterfront; confirm last-minute programme changes only on jazz.cartagena.es.
Note: The information on this page was researched at the time of writing and may have changed since then (e.g. date, venue, or program). Visit the organizer's official website →
The photo used is illustrative and does not necessarily depict the actual event.
