KEEP EXPLORING
18-20 SEPTEMBER 2026 | CENTRAL PARK, CLUJ-NAPOCA, ROMÂNIA
Where Tomorrow's Headliners take the Stage
Free Access
HOW IT WORKS
1
APPLY
Submit your application completing the form until May 3, 2026. No entry fee. Jazz musicians aged 16-35
2
PRESELECTION
Our curatorial team reviews all submissions and selects 12 finalists to perform life in Cluj-Napoca. Results announced May 21, 2026
3
LIVE COMPETITION
Perform in front of an international jury and thousands of spectators. All finalists receive 1.000 euro fee, accommodation, and travel support.
4
BUILD YOUR NETWORK
Connect with festival organizers, booking agents, and fellow musicians from across Europe.
5
ENJOY IT
3 days full of activities, experiences, food and drinks, headliners to close each night, plus a Jam Sessions you want to attend.
Over 50,000 euro in prizes and opportunities
Plus many more to win
Jury Members
Evaluated by those who know the stage
Teodor Pop
Simone Manchisi
Dima Belinski
Diana Gheorghiu
EVALUATION
Performance Quality
Group Cohesion
Originality
Stage Presence
Adherence to specifications
9 editions.
30+ countries.
The future of jazz, every year.
308 bands applied in 2025
50 countries
60,000+ spectators in 2025
See all winners sincer 2015
A free festival wrapped around a competition
Three days of live music
Beyond the 12 competing bands, the lineup includes special guest artists performing full concerts. A curated jazz festival with a competition at its core.
Food, drinks, and all the good stuff
The park becomes a culinary destination for three days. No festival wristband needed. Craft beer, fine wines, and street food experience.
Bring the whole family
Activities for kids, family-friendly spaces, and a relaxed park atmosphere that works for all ages. Jazz in the Park has always been a place where generations mix.
Workshops and experiences
Creative workshops, lounge zones, and interactive experiences throughout the park. Come for the competition, stay for everything that happens around it.
Completely free to attend
No tickets. No registration. Three days of international jazz, great food, and staying outside in the heart of Cluj-Napoca.
Central Park,
Cluj-Napoca
Three days of live jazz in the heart of Transylvania. Central Park is the historic home of Jazz in the Park — a green oasis in the center of one of Europe's most vibrant cultural cities. Entry is completely free for the public.
FREE ENTRY - No tickets needed
What past
participants say
"Some call them emerging artists.
We prefer to call them tomorrow's headliners."
Some call them emerging artists. We prefer to call them tomorrow's headliners.
Alin Vaida
founder Jazz in The Park
What an awesome moment and opportunity it was for us. Obviously the cash prize doesn't hurt but the biggest thing for me was the boost in confidence it gave me to keep working even harder to develop the project musically and professionally.
daoud
Winner 2024
Here in Romania, you can feel jazz as a more mainstream genre, and that’s something very special. It also means that the focus is on the true quality of the music, not just on the image you present. That’s why being part of this matters so much to us.
JEMMA
Winner 2025
It gave us the credibility of a truly international act and also built a confidence in us that what we're doing is capable of exceeding the merely local level big time.
KLAWO
Winner 2023
Discover more
READY TO TAKE THE STAGE?
Applications are open until May 3, 2026. No entry fee.
Your next big break might be three steps away.
FAQ
Questions? Check the FAQ or read the Official Regulation.
Who can apply?
Musicians and bands aged 16–35, focusing on jazz and adjacent genres. One band member can be over 35. There is no entry fee.
What do I need to submit?
A link to your music (streaming platforms, YouTube, SoundCloud, etc.), band bio, and photos. Full requirements are in the Official Regulation and the Official Registration Form.
What happens if I'm selected as a finalist?
You’ll perform live in Central Park, Cluj-Napoca, September 18–20. We cover a €1,000 performance fee, 3 nights accommodation, and contribute to your travel costs.
Is entry free?
Yes! Jazz in the Park Competition is completely free for the public. No tickets, no registration, just show up.
When and where?
September 18–20, 2026, in Central Park (Parcul Central), Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Is this the same as Jazz in the Park Festival?
Jazz in the Park Competition is a separate event organized by the same team. The Festival takes place earlier in the year. The Competition focuses on emerging artists competing for prizes and performance opportunities.