Photo: Stefan Oomes-fotograaf-Breda Jazz Festival

New at Breda Jazz Festival 2026

  • Breda Jazz Festival
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  • Live music
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That jazz music connects people and that the Breda Jazz Festival is still lively after nearly 55 years demonstrates in the festival's programming. This year, the festival is bigger than ever, with 27 locations and 270 acts from sixteen different countries. And there is plenty of new things to discover again. The Breda Jazz Festival 2026 will take place from 14th to 17th May.

This page will be further filled and updated in the coming weeks. So be sure to come back!

Feet on the ground during new dance workshops

The Lindy Hop dance workshops at Kasteelplein have been such a success for two years now that this year, Latin dance workshops are also on the programme. 
And where better than at Veemarktplein, where enthusiasts of this music style have been able to indulge for years.

The Latin dance workshops are on:

  • Thu: 16:00-17:00
  • Fri & Sat: 16:00-16:40

The Lindy Hop workshops are on:

  • Thu: 15:15-16:00
  • Fri & Sat: 15:15-16:00

Put on your most swinging clothes and join in!

Dancing people

New places to enjoy jazz

I read it already. The festival is bigger than ever this year, with no less than four new stages, offering even more places to enjoy music.

  • Franciscanessenplein | Nieuwe Mark
    At the 'back' of Hotel Nassau Breda, a stage is set up on the water of the Nieuwe Mark, which has been extended from the Harbour in recent years (see photo)
  • Café Lievense, Prinsenkade 7
    At many requests, there will be a stage once again dedicated to Breda jazz bands. Jazz from our own soil! 
  • Blue Dog, Karnemelkstraat 20a
    Small but lovely! The Blue Dog stage is reserved for solo artists and duos. How intimate do you want it?
  • Café de Beyerd, Boschstraat 26
    Do you love blues? Then this will be your favourite spot. Café de Beyerd has been one of the most well-known cafés in the city for decades and is now an official festival venue. 

Breda Jazz Festival Award for Frits Landesbergen

The Breda Jazz Festival has been committed for over fifty years to keeping jazz and related styles alive. This can only be achieved when passionate musicians pass on their authentic sound and love for jazz to future generations. 

Since last year, the Breda Jazz Festival has been awarding its own award annually to a musician who, as an ambassador, makes a special contribution in this respect. Last year, the first award went to drummer Chris Strik. The 2026 award is for vibraphonist, percussionist, and arranger Frits Landesbergen. 

The award consists of a sculpture and a prominent role during the opening and in the programme of the Breda Jazz Festival 2026.

The sculpture will be presented during the opening on Thursday 14 May. 

Grote Markt Breda with a large crowd and stage during the opening of Breda Jazz Festival

Focus on youth

Those who have youth, have the future is certainly applicable to  Breda Jazz Festival, which has youth as its focal point this year. 

Under the motto 'New creators, new fans', there are various youth orchestras and children's concerts on the program:

  • The Brabant Youth Jazz Orchestra: Sunday, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM, Spanjaardsgat
  • Breda school bands: Friday, 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM, Kerkplein
  • Conservatory students: every day, Stedelijk Museum Breda
  • Decorating Pluutjes and Pluutjes Parade on Friday, 12:15 PM - 1:30 PM, Nieuwe Veste
  • Child concert Peer de Graaf: Friday, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM and 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM, Nieuwe Veste

Two good causes

Jazz Festival Breda supports two charities this year.

Stichting Leerorkest
The Leerorkest Foundation is committed to making it possible for all children to play a musical instrument. Breda Jazz Festival will hold a collection of musical instruments during the festival. 

Parkinsonfonds
The jazz world lost two icons to Parkinson's disease in 2025: singer Joke Bruijs (partner of Festival Award winner Frits Landesbergen) and drummer Hans van Oosterhout. 
During two tribute concerts, a collection will be held for Parkinson Nederland.

  • Joke Bruijs Tribute: Friday 13:30-15:30, Grote Markt
  • Hans van Oosterhout Tribute: Saturday, 17:30-19:00, Willem Merkxtuin

Kasteelplein: Foodcourt and Safety Square

Festivals work up an appetite! That’s why the Breda Jazz Festival is setting up a food court on Kasteelplein this year. A number of food trucks will ensure you find plenty of tasty treats to snack on.  


Another section of Kasteelplein has been designated as the Safety Square, featuring, among other things, the permanent first-aid post. 

For the first time, the mobile Changing Places Unit will also be here – an extra-large accessible toilet with a changing bench and hoist for visitors in wheelchairs who require additional facilities. 

More pages about the Breda Jazz Festival 2026