Bulgaria’s 2026 A to JazZ on from July 2 to 5 in Sofia’s South Park II
The 15th A to JazZ is being held in Sofia’s South Park II from July 2 to 5 2026.
This year, world icons and Grammy Award winners such as the legendary Miles Electric Band, Dee Dee Bridgewater Quartet and rhythmic polymath Nate Smith shine on stage.
The opening night is traditionally dedicated to the dynamic World Music Showcase, which will present 12 spectacular and culturally diverse bands from all corners of the planet, supporting new talents on an international level.
International artists such as Hania Derej Trio, Tomoki Sanders, Sorvina, The Simon Grey Collective will also perform , as well as the Bulgarian formations of Victoria Kirilova, Emil Tasev and Georgi Kornazov.
Further details of the concert programme are available in English at this link.
In addition to an encounter with world-class music, A to JazZ is a space for shared causes and care for our environment, organisers say.
The festival community of many thousands will once again be able to benefit from a deposit system for reusable festival cups, a water station for drinking water and a bicycle parking area for all those who come on two wheels. The established practice of large-scale separate collection and recycling with clearly marked areas and educational signage continues.
The latest introduction – electrification of the festival with ecological energy, will save 15 tons of carbon emissions for the city, and all visitors are encouraged to choose sustainable transportation to the location by metro and public transport, contributing to the clean air of Sofia.
Around the music in the park, a whole universe of urban experiences is bubbling, which will keep the festival spirit alive until dawn.
The festival park includes an urban food and drink area in the spirit of street culture, various installations and activities for the audience, as well as the traditional Art Bazaar, which this year brings together 60 new Bulgarian artists, artisans and craft brands with a unique design and mission. Saturday and Sunday mornings start with a focus on health through conditioning workouts and outdoor musical yoga, followed by the beloved children’s music workshops A to JazZ Kids.
When the lights on the main stage go out, the emotion is transferred indoors to the developed Night Stage, which introduces a new format with live concerts, followed by jazz improvisations and DJ parties.
In parallel with the activities in the park, on July 4 and 5, the seventh international conference Music Talks will be held at the RCCA “Toplotsentrala” .
The format is a key platform for discussions and exchange of experience, attracting dozens of leading professionals from Bulgaria and the world. The main focuses of the anniversary edition are the measurement of the economic, social and brand impact of festivals, culture as a city strategy for international visibility, as well as the export of music in less widely used languages in the digital age.
The panels will include authoritative international and Bulgarian experts, including Mike Duignan (Events & Festivals), Cesar Andion (The Spanish Wave), Götz Bühler (jazzahead!), Petra Hradilova (Colours of Ostrava), Spyros Pengas (former deputy mayor of Thessaloniki), economist Petar Ganev and sociologist Boryana Dimitrova and others.
A highlight of the conference will be a special keynote address by the legendary Dee Dee Bridgewater, who will open a panel on jazz as a social language for building sustainable communities. The professional program will be complemented by a practical workshop led by Edita Rogowska-Jacques, combining stress management techniques with building a long-term artistic strategy.
With its comprehensive concept and sustainable approach, A to JazZ has been establishing its role as a leading event in Sofia’s cultural calendar for 15 years. It imposes an innovative model for organizing events with long-term added value – for the audience, for the capital, for tourism and for the environment . demonstrating that culture is a key driver of urban development .
A to JazZ is part of the Calendar of Cultural Events of Sofia Municipality and is possible with the financial support of the Sofia Municipality – Culture Programme and the Ministry of Culture.
