Event Details
Jazz in Marciac 2026 – the 48th edition of a legendary festival
Every summer, the Gascon village of Marciac in the Gers département, home to around 1,300 residents, transforms into the world capital of jazz. The 48th edition of Jazz in Marciac takes place from 20 July to 5 August 2026. Founded in 1978 by a group of local jazz enthusiasts, the festival now draws more than 200,000 visitors each year to this tranquil corner of southwest France and ranks among the most prestigious jazz festivals in the world.
2026 Highlights
- Festival opening on 20 July with Sting and his "Sting 3.0" tour (sold out)
- Diana Krall, Pat Metheny Side-Eye III+, Ibrahim Maalouf, Avishai Cohen
- Samara Joy, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Marcus Miller, Kenny Garrett
- Special tributes to Miles Davis and John Coltrane marking both centenary years
- Free daily concerts from 11:30 AM as part of the Festival Bis on the main square
- Emerging artists at the L'Astrada venue (3:00 PM and 9:00 PM concerts)
Programme and Venues
The festival operates across three venues simultaneously. The centrepiece is the Chapiteau, a legendary festival tent on the town sports ground with around 10,000 seats, hosting the main evening concerts every night at 9:00 PM. The smaller indoor venue L'Astrada (53 Chemin de Ronde, 32230 Marciac) presents emerging artists at 3:00 PM and 9:00 PM. The completely free Festival Bis concerts take place on the central square from approximately 11:30 AM each day. The 2026 edition pays special tribute to the centenary years of Miles Davis and John Coltrane; Marcus Miller presents "We Want Miles!" and James Carter performs "Trane: A Centennial Supreme".
Tickets and Prices
Ticket prices vary by concert and seating category. The official 2026 price list for the Chapiteau (9:00 PM concerts) is as follows:
- Category 1 (best seats): €58 to €70
- Category 2: €51 to €63
- Category 3: €44 to €56
- Standing (Gradins): €38 to €50
- Opening night with Sting (20 July): standing €85
- Children under 12 in all categories: €15
- L'Astrada (9:00 PM): from €30 (concession €24)
- Festival Bis on the main square: free entry
Season passes are also available; the full Chapiteau subscription (all evenings except 20 July and 3 August) costs €735. Reductions apply for students, job seekers, groups of 10 or more, and visitors with reduced mobility. Tickets are available at jazzinmarciac.com or by phone at +33 5 62 09 33 33.
Visitor Tips
- Book early: high-demand nights like the 2026 opening with Sting sold out quickly.
- Reserve accommodation several months in advance; Marciac and surrounding villages fill up completely during the festival.
- The nearest towns with rail connections are Auch (30 km) and Tarbes (45 km); a hire car is the most practical option from there.
- Festival shuttle buses (navettes) run between Marciac, Auch and Tarbes during the event.
- The Musée des Instruments de Musique et du Jazz in Marciac is well worth a visit alongside the concerts.
- Pack a warm layer for evenings; even in midsummer the Gers countryside can turn cool after dark.
