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It might not be the city’s official summer kickoff, but the beloved Vancouver International Jazz Festival comes pretty darn close. Every year, Coastal Jazz hosts dozens of free and ticketed concerts at venues across Vancouver, with Granville Island at the centre of the action. As the festival’s official hub, Ocean Artworks, Performance Works, and the Revue Stage will come to life this July, and organizers have just released their exciting performance lineups.
The fest is a summation of local, national, and international artistic talent and a global passion for jazz that knows no limits or borders. Coastal Jazz is considered one of B.C.’s largest not-for-profit music presenters, with a roster of artists performing throughout the year, but this festival is its crown jewel.
Granville Island shows
Firstly, the Ocean Artworks Jazz Series is set to return with seven nights of music, bringing together local artists and rising stars from across Canada and the globe. On the Revue Stage, guests can expect five nights of performances showcasing the incredible range of the genre, from avant-garde jazz to improvisation.
“This year’s lineup reflects everything we love celebrating about this music: collaboration, openness for the unexpected, and the transformation that happens when audiences and musicians both are giving their attention to the moment,” says Cole Schmidt, co-artistic director of the Vancouver International Jazz Festival.
Here are just some of the performers slated to take the stage so far
Ocean Artworks Pavilion
- Honeybear, the Band – Friday, June 26, 2026, at 8:30 p.m.
- SHEBAD – Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 8:30 p.m.
- Wallgrin + Devours – Sunday, June 28, 2026, at 8:30 p.m.
- Rich Hope – Thursday, July 2, 2026, at 8:30 p.m.
- Chopping Spree! – Friday, July 3, 2026, at 8:30 p.m.
- Persian Party – Saturday, July 4, 2026, at 8:30 p.m.
- Midnight Boogaloo – Sunday, July 5, 2026, at 8:30 p.m.
The Revue Stage
- Talking Pictures with Fredrik Ljungkvist – Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at 9 p.m.
- Patrick Shiroishi and Nick Yacyshyn with Lee Hutzulak – Thursday, July 2, 2026, at 9 p.m.
- Wendy Eisenberg – Friday, July 3, 2026, at 9 p.m.
- Amina Claudine Myers – Saturday, July 4, 2026, at 9 p.m.
Free concert series
Jazz lovers can also look forward to the return of Downtown Jazz, a free concert series that takes place outside of the Vancouver Art Gallery at šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square every year. In 2026, the square will transform on June 27.
Those who prefer to catch a show or two another night can check out who’s playing at downtown theatres, clubs, and North Shore venues between June 19 and July 5, 2026. According to Coastal Jazz, new festival venues this year include The Hollywood in Kits and queer and trans-operated venue, The Birdhouse.
New improvisers studio
Now in its third year, the festival’s New Improvisers Studio returns with acclaimed composer, saxophonist, and artist Patrick Shiroishi at the helm. On July 4, 2026, he’ll be offering a free, five-day intensive for young musicians (ages 17 to 24), as well as performing at the Western Front at noon.
Note that the deadline to apply for the intensive is May 23, 2026.
This year’s International Jazz Fest is also set to welcome three Artists in Residence: multi-instrumentalist Patrick Shiroishi, guitarist and composer Wendy Eisenberg, and singer/songwriter Caley Watts.
These supremely talented artists are at the core of this year’s festival, working hard to develop new work to debut.
The best way to experience the festival? Don’t stop at just one venue or show, especially if you’re on Granville Island. Catching a concert at Ocean Artworks means you have convenient access to Performance Works and the Revue Stage afterwards, with plenty of performances popping up throughout the festival’s duration.
When: June 19 to July 5, 2026
Time: Varies per concert
Where: 1531 and 1601 Johnston St., and venues across Vancouver
Cost: Free and ticketed concerts
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