Manchester Jazz Festival

Manchester Jazz Festival brings the best new emerging jazz artists, homegrown talent, and living jazz legends to the city centre every May for ten days of live performances, many of which are free.

It’s the city’s longest-running music festival (the first one was held back in 1996, and had to be delayed a few months because of the IRA bomb). It’s also one of its most visible and accessible, with performances taking place in public spaces, bars, and music venues across the city centre.

Manchester Jazz Festival 2025

Manchester Jazz Festival is back with a bumper 30th anniversary special running from 16-25 May 2025. Highlights include the Yazz Ahmed Quartet, ganavya, NABOU, Ubunye, Ferg’s Imaginary Big Band, Mammal Hands, Elliot Galvin, the Dana Ali Band and many more.

It kicks off with a free opening weekender at First Street (16-18 May) culminating in a free 30th anniversary party at Matt and Phreds. Food and family-friendly activities will be on offer too.

Throughout the festival, you can catch shows at St Ann’s Church, Stoller Hall, The Carlton Club in Whalley Range, St Ann’s Church, Matt & Phreds, RNCM, and Forsyth Music Shop. There are also four new venues joining the jazz party: Aviva Studios, Low Four Studios, Flawd and Stage & Radio. The festival closes with an extended weekend-long party at Band on the Wall.

Look out for Richard Iles’ Miniature Brass Emporium: New Futures II. The original New Futures was the first ever new work commissioned by the festival and to celebrate its 30th anniversary, composer and trumpeter Richard Iles has re-imagined his original concept.

The piano trail is also back for another year. Manchester Jazz Festival and Forsyth Music Shop have joined forces to create a trail of street pianos at locations across Manchester city centre.

Tickets for Manchester Jazz Festival range from free to £30. Go to Manchester Jazz Festival 2025 to see the full festival line-up.