The festival returns with its 14th edition from June 5–7, 2026, with Marcos Valle on the lineup
Jazz in the Park 13 – a daytime festival – was an edition filled with sunshine, both literally and figuratively. The first festival of the summer opened the season with three days of great music, soulful moments, relaxation, and meaningful messages.
Over 20,000 participants enjoyed a complete experience in the Romulus Vuia Ethnographic Park in Cluj-Napoca — with memorable concerts and a relaxed atmosphere, in true Jazz in the Park style.
The festival’s four stages hosted over 50 artists, DJ sets, and improvisation sessions, all set within a unique natural setting. Hill Stage and Backyard Stage brought the main concerts to the public, while Friends Stage featured vinyl sets, and the Jam Session Stage remained open each night for spontaneous jam sessions between musicians and the audience.
Headliners this year included Ibrahim Maalouf with his new project Trumpets of Michel-Ange, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, Kokoroko, Nneka, and Alabaster DePlume.
One of the central moments of this year’s edition was the first-ever artist residency in Jazz in the Park’s history: a collaboration between Romanian jazz trio JazzyBIT and Grammy-nominated Cuban pianist Omar Sosa. Their project — born out of friendship and supported by the festival — was presented as a world premiere on Hill Stage in an intense and moving concert.
Denisa Dan, Jazz in the Park manager:
“This year’s edition of Jazz in the Park proved that 13 really is a lucky number. They say you make your own luck — but this time, we created it together with the people who walked the alleys of the Ethnographic Park, who stood in front of the stages, who discovered each activity and lived the festival just the way they wanted to. Together we made this the best Jazz in the Park yet.”
Ibrahim Maalouf, Kokoroko, Seun Kuti & Nneka — headliners with a message
Jazz in the Park has always been more than a festival: a cultural manifesto, an invitation to empathy, reflection, and connection.
Each evening was marked by special moments. On Friday, Ibrahim Maalouf delivered a memorable concert that ended with a moment of silence for the victims of conflicts in the Middle East — a deeply moving evening that created a special connection with the audience.
On Saturday, Hill Stage vibrated with afrobeat and energy: Kokoroko and Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 got the crowd dancing and delivered strong messages about freedom and solidarity.
Alabaster DePlume brought poetry and introspection in a therapeutic and impactful concert, also expressing his solidarity with Palestine.
On Sunday, the collaboration between JazzyBIT & Omar Sosa — born out of friendship and developed during the residency — became one of the most emotional musical experiences of the edition.
The festival’s finale belonged to artist Nneka, who closed Jazz in the Park with an intense and soulful concert, in her unmistakable style, blending soul, reggae, and hip-hop with powerful social messages.
The audience, ready for Jazz in the Park 14 — June 5–7, 2026
During this year’s festival, around 1,600 tickets for the 2026 edition were sold at a special price of 150 lei.
Next year’s edition will take place between June 5–7, 2026, again at Romulus Vuia Ethnographic Park in Cluj-Napoca. The first confirmed headliner is Marcos Valle, who couldn’t perform this year due to personal reasons, but has already confirmed for 2026.
For those who haven’t yet secured their spot, organizers have launched a new limited batch of 500 tickets called “LOVE SUPREME”, inspired by John Coltrane’s legendary album.
These are now available for 189 lei (40% discount) via the official website: bilete.jazzinthepark.ro.
Jazz in the Park — a complete experience beyond music
Jazz in the Park wasn’t just about concerts. It was also about dialogue, critical thinking, and inspiration.
Through the Întâlniri pe Prispă (Porch Talks) series, the audience was invited to engaging conversations with artists, journalists, cultural leaders, and public figures.
This year’s theme — Adaptation / Reinvention — brought to the stage reflections on change, courage, and the role of culture in an ever-evolving world.
Additionally, the festival featured workshops, exhibitions, art installations, and relaxation areas, with activities for all ages.
The audience was an active part of the festival — especially through the People’s Aftermovie project, which invited participants to document their experience on video and contribute to the collective story of Jazz in the Park.
About Jazz in the Park
Jazz in the Park is a manifesto festival that combines great music with the promotion of positive values in the community.
So far, the festival has hosted over 500 international jazz concerts and is now one of the most important jazz festivals in Europe. In 2019, Jazz in the Park won “Best Small European Festival” at the prestigious European Festival Awards — becoming the first jazz festival in Europe (and in Romania) to achieve this distinction.
It has also been a five-time finalist in the same category, most recently for last year’s edition.
Jazz in the Park events are organized by Fapte — an association that develops people and communities through cultural events.
The upcoming calendar includes:
- Jazz in the Park Competition 2025 | Central Park Simion Bărnuțiu | September 19–21, 2025
- Jazz in the Park Festival 2026 | Romulus Vuia Ethnographic Park | June 5–7, 2026
Main Partners: BRD – Groupe Societe Generale, Birra Moretti, Purcari
Partners: DIGI, PPC, Pepsi, RMB Inter Auto, Daisler Print House, 8×8, TSV Line, Malfy, Ilie Galben, Mega Image, Mobila Dalin, Olivo Coffee Culture, IARMAROC.com
Project co-financed by: Romanian Cultural Fund Administration
Institutional partners: Cluj-Napoca City Hall and Local Council, Cluj County Council, Transylvanian Museum of Ethnography, Europe Jazz Network, YOUROPE, BATRA 2025, Babeș-Bolyai University, French Institute.
Media partners: Rock FM, PRIMA TV, PRIMA News, TVR Cultural, TVR Cluj, The Woman, Cărturești, Radio România Cluj, Kolozsvari Radio, Ziua de Cluj, Cluj24, Cluj Live, Servus Cluj, Visit Cluj.
