THE CAPE TOWN JAZZATHON 2026 – A SUMMER SHOWCASE OF SOUND, CULTURE & COMMUNITY
9–11 January 2026 | V&A Waterfront Amphitheatre | FREE ENTRY
Cape Town bursts into rhythm on 9 January 2026 as the Cape Town Jazzathon returns to the V&A Waterfront for its 29th anniversary, bringing with it a dynamic showcase of established icons, rising stars, and bold new voices from across the country and beyond.
This year’s festival features an exceptional mix of talent from as far afield as the Congo, Johannesburg, George, Clanwilliam, and of course Cape Town, proving once again why the Jazzathon remains South Africa’s longest-running and most beloved open-air music festival.
Festival Convenor Craig Parks of JCQ Productions says he is “thrilled with the calibre of artists who applied this year,” noting that the 2026 lineup is set to be one of the strongest and most diverse since the festival began nearly three decades ago.
A Three-Day Musical Celebration Free for All
Running from 9–11 January, the Jazzathon offers three full days of free live performances, spanning Afro Jazz, Cape Jazz, Hip Hop, Neo Soul, R&B, fusion, and genre-blending collaborations.
Daily entertainment runs from 12:00 to 20:00, making it the perfect summer outing for families, locals, and visitors.
The festival is proudly produced by JCQ Productions and funded by the Department of Sports, Arts & Culture’s MGE (Mzansi Golden Economy) programme, as well as the Department of Cultural Affairs & Sport.
Festival updates and the full lineup will be available at www.jazzathon.co.za and on social media via @jazzathon.
A Message from the Festival Director: “We are extremely grateful to our funders, MGE and The Department of Cultural Affairs & Sport, through whom we are able to produce a magnificent Festival,” says Festival Director Craig Parks.
CALL TO ACTION — CAPE TOWN, THIS ONE’S FOR YOU!
Capetonians are invited to step out, show up, and celebrate homegrown talent at one of the city’s most iconic summer events. Bring your family, bring your friends, bring your love for music — and experience the heartbeat of Cape Town live at the Waterfront.
Admission is free. The vibes are guaranteed. The Jazzathon is calling.
Sponsorship & Partnerships
Businesses and individuals who wish to support the festival or explore sponsorship opportunities are welcome to contact the festival office at events@parkan.co.za.
CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za.
Author: Martin Myers from Triple M Ent on behalf of Craig parks.
Bastion Agency: Bastion Agency offers comprehensive PR, corporate communications, and media relations services, including
managing press releases, social media, SEO, crisis communications, and thought leadership. The reviews highlight their effectiveness in enhancing brand visibility, securing media placements,
and providing strategic communication support. Clients consistently praise Bastion Agency for their professionalism, project management, and ability to exceed expectations in delivering
impactful results.
Instant Star
In the International Communications Consultancy Organization World PR Report, 21% of PR agencies list measurement and analytics technology as having the greatest impact in the future.
Dorothy Solitaire
Some 88% of PR professionals say strategic planning will be one of the most important skills for success in the next five years, followed by media relations (77%) and social media (72%).
Slacker Cat
PR people are often called “spin doctors,” which to us conjures up images of weird zombie voodoo witch doctors. While we like to think of ourselves as good witches rather than bad witches, there\’s certainly an element of magic to what we do. What\’s our method? We can\’t reveal all of our secrets, but read on for a little taste.