Leverkusener Jazztage 2026 – International Jazz, Soul & Funk Festival

Welcome to the Leverkusener Jazztage 2026 in Leverkusen

The 47th Leverkusener Jazztage take place from 1 to 25 November 2026 in Leverkusen and rank among Germany’s most important international jazz festivals. Over several weeks the programme spans jazz, soul, funk, blues and jazz-related pop at the city’s main venues, with selected concerts also at the Historic Town Hall in Wuppertal. Dates for 2027 have not been announced; the festival traditionally returns in November. Official information and tickets: leverkusener-jazztage.de.

Highlights & Attractions at Leverkusener Jazztage in Leverkusen

• 47th edition of one of Germany’s largest and most prestigious jazz festivals, with more than 20,000 visitors a year and over 70 acts.
• Wide range from classic and contemporary jazz to soul, funk, blues, pop and singer-songwriter.
• 2026 headliners include Gregory Porter, Melody Gardot, Al Di Meola, Jan Garbarek, Asaf Avidan, Level 42, Beth Hart, Max Herre & Joy Denalane, Incognito and The Brand New Heavies.
• Further strong names: St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Nils Landgren Funk Unit, Richard Bona, Fatoumata Diawara, Kamrad, Milow, Youn Sun Nah and many more.
• Multiple venues: Forum Leverkusen (Terrassensaal), Erholungshaus, Scala Club in Opladen, plus three concerts at the Historic Town Hall in Wuppertal.
• Dense schedule over about 25 days – ideal for single nights or a music-focused weekend in Leverkusen.
• Established young-talent and club formats on the smaller stages.

Program & Schedule: What to Expect in 2026

The official main programme of Leverkusener Jazztage 2026 runs from 1 to 25 November. High-profile warm-up dates already took place in October (including Joe Bonamassa with the WDR Big Band on 15 October at the Forum, sold out). Concerts typically start between 18:00 and 20:00 and vary in length by artist.

The main focus is on Forum Leverkusen and the Erholungshaus; the Scala Club in Opladen hosts more intimate club nights. In Wuppertal, highlights include Gregory Porter (4 November), Jan Garbarek (18 November) and Mariza (23 November). The full day-by-day programme is at leverkusener-jazztage.de/programm/ and is updated regularly. Some shows (such as Al Di Meola) sold out early – book tickets in advance.

Tickets & Admission for Leverkusener Jazztage Leverkusen

There is no multi-day festival pass; each concert is sold separately. Ticket prices in 2026 range roughly from about 25 to 144 euro depending on the act and category (Scala and smaller shows often from around 25–35 euro; major Forum and Town Hall concerts higher; Gregory Porter was among the most expensive). Sales via the official website, Reservix (leverkusener-jazztage.reservix.de), Eventim and standard box offices. Always check availability and current prices on the official site. Dates and prices for 2027 have not been published yet.

Visitor Tips: Travel & Accommodation in Leverkusen

• Getting there: Forum and Erholungshaus are central in Wiesdorf; Leverkusen-Mitte station (S-Bahn/regional) and the bus station are a short walk from the Forum. The Scala Club in Opladen is next to Leverkusen-Opladen station. Strong rail links to Cologne and Düsseldorf; road access via A3/A1.
• Venues: Forum Leverkusen, Am Büchelter Hof 9, 51373 Leverkusen; Erholungshaus, Nobelstraße 37, 51373 Leverkusen; Scala Club, Uhlandstraße 9, 51379 Leverkusen-Opladen. For Wuppertal shows, plan the Historic Town Hall and the Leverkusen–Wuppertal public-transport link.
• Where to stay: Book hotels and guesthouses in Leverkusen-Mitte, Wiesdorf and Opladen early – especially on weekends with several top acts. Cologne and Düsseldorf work well as overnight bases.
• Evening planning: Several concerts on the same night at different venues are possible; check travel times and door times (often about 60 minutes before start). Use parking at the Forum and in Opladen.
• Stay up to date: Follow programme changes, sold-out notices and any 2027 announcements only via leverkusener-jazztage.de and the official ticket shop. Advance prices may rise at the door for some shows.