About Wangaratta Festival of Jazz & Blues
The Wangaratta Festival of Jazz & Blues is a jazz and blues festival held each year over the Melbourne Cup long weekend in Wangaratta, in north-east Victoria near the King Valley food and wine region. The first festival ran from 2 to 4 November 1990 under artistic director Adrian Jackson, who led the program for more than 25 years. The festival received a National Tourism Award in 1999 and became a Victorian Hallmark Event in 2000. After announcing its closure in 2023, it returned in 2024 under festival chair Andrew Nunn and a new board.
The 36th festival opens on Friday 30 October 2026 with a cabaret-style night by The Shuffle Club at St Pat's Hall, followed by two days of concerts on Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November. The main stage is in the Cathedral Grounds, with further shows at Tiny Jazz in the Old Baptist Church and at St Pat's Hall. The Bamboos featuring Kylie Auldist headline Saturday, and Cookin' on 3 Burners featuring Stella Angelico close Sunday.
The wider program includes Fiona Boyes and The Fortune Tellers, Monstress, Horns of Leroy featuring THNDO, the Jamie Oehlers Quartet celebrating John Coltrane's centenary, ISEULA New Orleans Special, Checkerboard Lounge, the Frank Sultana Blues Band, Yunior Terry's Afro-Cuban Roots and Resonance with Andrea Keller, Sandy Evans, Kristin Berardi and Jenny Barnes. Jazz House DJs play between sets, and a family program runs at the main stage each afternoon. Free events include a performance by the Australian Army Band Kapooka and a Sunday morning Jazz Mass at Holy Trinity Cathedral.
The National Jazz Awards, first launched at Wangaratta with pianist Barney McAll as the inaugural winner, return in 2026 with a focus on drums, and the finals are on the Sunday morning. Separately ticketed events include James Morrison Meets the WSO and Milawa Monday on 2 November.
Tickets are sold through Humanitix. A weekend pass covering the main stage, Tiny Jazz and St Pat's Hall is $165 plus a booking fee, now that early bird passes have sold out. Day passes are $110 for Saturday and $85 for Sunday, and under-18s attend free with a ticket-holding adult. The 2025 festival, the 35th, ran from 31 October to 3 November across 11 venues.
Wangaratta Festival of Jazz & Blues lineup
18 artistsFrequently asked
When is the 2026 Wangaratta Festival of Jazz & Blues?
Opening night is Friday 30 October 2026, with the main festival on Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November.
Who is headlining?
The Bamboos featuring Kylie Auldist and Cookin' on 3 Burners featuring Stella Angelico.
How much is a weekend pass?
$165 plus a booking fee through Humanitix. Day passes are $110 (Saturday) and $85 (Sunday).
Can children attend?
Yes. Under-18s are free with a ticket-holding adult, but you should add a free children's ticket to help manage venue capacity.
What are the National Jazz Awards?
A national competition for Australian jazz musicians aged 36 and under, held at the festival. The 2026 awards feature drums, with finals on Sunday 1 November.
Contact the festival
Last verified 2026-10-20. Dates, prices and lineups change — always confirm on the official festival site before booking.