From July 23 to 25, people from Nice will be able to attend the Nice Jazz Fest 2026. Tickets go on sale on May 28 and the artists have just been revealed.
Although the festival is going from four to three evenings of concerts, the city of Nice has designed a program that aims to satisfy both locals and tourists. Indeed, there are jazz artists, but also urban music. Furthermore, other events will be added to the festival from July 18 onwards: brass bands and parades in emblematic neighborhoods of our city. Denis Del Rio, the deputy in charge of events, announces a desire to “bring music to the people of Nice” through the participation of merchant associations, cultural associations, state institutions… SACEM is also involved in the festival this year.
The Nice Jazz Fest 2026 lineup
This year the headliners are internationally renowned artists: Sting, Busta Rhymes and Lola Young; sure to delight the ears of Nice residents.
In this way, the Nice Jazz Fest claims an open lineup where pop, hip-hop and gypsy jazz coexist, as shown by the presence of Biréli Lagrène alongside these headliners. Their participation illustrates the festival’s desire to offer eclectic evenings while remaining rooted in contemporary jazz and its influences.
Other remarkable artists will enrich the lineup. On Thursday, Gabrielle Cavassa and Naïka will bring soul and pop touches. Kassa Overall will explore jazz tinged with hip-hop, while Gotts Street Park will set the stage vibrating with neo-soul grooves.
On Friday, Mario Canonge will open the evening with powerful Caribbean jazz. Followed by the funk energy of Nubiyan Twist, the cutting-edge electro of Noga Erez and the return of cult group Cymande.
Saturday will showcase the virtuosity of Biréli Lagrène, the intensity of the James Carter Quartet and the unique worlds of The Getdown, Gabriel Jacoby and Obong Jayar.
Thursday July 23:
- 7:30 PM: Gabrielle Cavassa (Théâtre de Verdure)
- 8:00 PM: GirlBand! (Massena)
- 8:45 PM: Kassa Overall (Théâtre de Verdure)
- 9:15 PM: Naïka (Massena)
- 10:30 PM: Gotts Street Park (Théâtre de Verdure)
- 11:00 PM: Sting (Massena)
Friday July 24:
- 7:30 PM: Mario Canonge Trio (Théâtre de Verdure)
- 8:00 PM: Durand Bernarr (Massena)
- 8:45 PM: Nubiyan Twist (Théâtre de Verdure)
- 9:15 PM: Noga Erez (Massena)
- 10:30 PM: Cymande (Théâtre de Verdure)
- 11:00 PM: Busta Rhymes (Massena)
Saturday July 25
- 7:30 PM: Biréli Lagrène (Théâtre de Verdure)
- 8:00 PM: The Getdown (Massena)
- 8:45 PM: The James Carter Quintet (Théâtre de Verdure)
- 9:15 PM: Gabriel Jacoby (Massena)
- 10:30 PM: Obongjayar (Théâtre de Verdure)
- 11:00 PM: Lola Young (Massena)
This edition is finally part of a logic of stability, particularly regarding prices: the introduction of VIP tickets makes it possible to maintain tickets at reasonable prices, in order to preserve the accessibility of the event while supporting its economic model. The artistic director of Nice Jazz Fest, Sébastien Nidal, confirmed “the open, popular and demanding vision of the Festival. The oldest jazz festival in the world continues to write its history without nostalgia, with the deep conviction that this music remains one of the most alive, most free and most contemporary there is.“
