UNESCO and the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz in Los Angeles selected Chicago as the host city for next year’s International Jazz Day, the world’s largest celebration of jazz and its power to unite communities across the globe. Chicago will host International Jazz Day 2026 on April 30, 2026.
Since its inception in 2012, International Jazz Day has traveled the world—from Paris to Havana and Sydney to Istanbul—connecting people through the language of music. Chicago’s selection comes at a powerful moment in time, aligning with the 250th anniversary of the U.S., the 100th birthday of Miles Davis, and the anticipated opening of The Obama Presidential Center on Chicago’s South Side.
“Chicago is the birthplace of modern jazz innovation—a city where legends like Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole, and Dinah Washington helped redefine what music could be,” says Mayor Brandon Johnson in a prepared statement. “From the clubs of Bronzeville to the airwaves that carried our sound across the nation, jazz has always been the rhythm of our resilience. Hosting International Jazz Day 2026 reaffirms our status as a cultural capital and honors the soul of our city. We’re proud to welcome the world to ‘Sweet Home Chicago.’”
The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Commissioner Clinée Hedspeth, adds, “This is more than a concert—it’s a renaissance moment for Chicago. International Jazz Day 2026 will honor our rich past and set the stage for a bold creative future. This moment is the result of months of strategic planning, advocacy, and leadership from a passionate team of cultural organizations and institutions who believes Chicago is not only ready—but destined—to lead the world in this celebration.”
Spearheaded by the Chicago Jazz Alliance, in partnership with the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, International Jazz Day 2026 is a citywide collaboration made possible through the support of the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois, working in concert with an expansive group of cultural, civic, and educational partners. These include: The Auditorium Theatre, Chicago Park District, Chicago Sister Cities International, Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association, Choose Chicago, Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago, Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, Illinois Arts Council, Jazz Institute of Chicago, Grammy Award-winning artist Kurt Elling, Leadership Greater Chicago, Ravinia Festival, Logan Center for the Arts at The University of Chicago, Obama Foundation, Uniting Voices Chicago, and World Business Chicago.
Together, these partners reflect the dynamic spirit of Chicago’s jazz heritage—past, present, and future—ensuring that this global celebration is rooted in authenticity, creativity, and community.
The celebration will culminate in the All-Star Global Concert, led by Chicago native and jazz icon Herbie Hancock and broadcast in 190 countries. Leading up to the concert, a week of educational programs, community outreach, and youth engagement will take place citywide, bringing the healing and unifying force of jazz directly into neighborhoods and schools. Students will be invited to participate in the festival through performances, master classes, and workouts.
International Jazz Day 2026 will amplify Chicago’s essential role in the global evolution of jazz and affirm the city’s position as a forward-thinking cultural hub.
