Event Details
What is the Vitoria Gasteiz Jazz Festival?
The Vitoria Gasteiz Jazz Festival is one of Spain's best known jazz events and the only Spanish festival that belongs to the International Jazz Festivals Organization, the club of Europe's and America's leading jazz festivals. Running since 1977, it turns the Basque capital into the country's jazz hub for a full week every summer; British newspaper The Guardian once ranked it among Europe's ten best jazz festivals.
When does the Jazz Festival in Vitoria Gasteiz take place in 2026?
The 49th edition runs from 12 to 18 July 2026, following the festival's tradition of taking place during the second week of July. Most evening concerts start at 8:30 PM, while the late night "Jazz de Medianoche" format kicks off at midnight in selected hotels and bars around the city.
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Where does the festival take place? (Venues)
The main concerts are held at Polideportivo Mendizorrotza, the festival's traditional home venue. Because the Teatro Principal is currently under renovation, the "Jazz en el Europa" series has moved to the Auditorio María de Maeztu inside the Palacio de Congresos Europa on Avenida de Gasteiz. During festival week, squares such as Plaza de la Virgen Blanca and countless bars and clubs in the old town also turn into free stages for street jazz and jam sessions.
Program and highlights 2026
The Mendizorrotza concerts open on Wednesday, 16 July, with a tribute to Charles Mingus. Jazzmeia Horn leads the vocal evening on Thursday, followed on Friday by Panamanian icon Rubén Blades performing with Roberto Delgado's big band. The week closes on Saturday with the farewell tour of The Bad Plus, followed by a high energy set from Snarky Puppy. In parallel, the "Jazz en el Europa" series showcases young international talent, while the free street program brings New Orleans style brass bands, concerts in Parque del Prado and film screenings at the Artium Museoa.
How much do tickets cost?
Individual tickets for the Mendizorrotza concerts range from 30 to 50 euros depending on category, while a full festival pass with a reserved seat costs between 115 and 165 euros. For the "Jazz en el Europa" series, single tickets cost 20 euros and a six concert pass costs 85 euros. A limited number of unnumbered "blind" passes are traditionally released at a discounted price as early as December. Street concerts, jam sessions and many side events are free of charge.
Getting there and visitor tips
- Book tickets and passes early, especially for the big Mendizorrotza evenings, since popular concerts sell out fast.
- Vitoria Gasteiz is well connected by train from Bilbao, San Sebastián and Madrid; special late night public transport runs after the concerts end.
- No concert ticket? Free street jazz fills the old town around Plaza de la Virgen Blanca all week.
- Visitors under 18 get a 50 percent discount on the regular ticket price for many concerts.
- Plan for a late night if you want to catch the jam sessions in the downtown hotel bars.
