Guinness Cork Jazz Festival Announces Final Programme for October Bank Holiday Weekend

The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival has announced its final programme for the October Bank Holiday weekend, running from 22 to 26 October 2026. More than 500 musicians are set to perform, with new artists and additional shows added and some of the weekend’s most anticipated events now sold out.

The festival is now preparing for its 48th edition, with more than 100,000 revellers expected across the city’s stages, streets, pubs and venues over the five days. More than 100 events will take place across almost 80 venues, from major headline shows to intimate pub gigs.

Among the latest additions is a second late-night Boney M show on Saturday, following the rapid sell-out of the first. Another date has also been added for Luke Thomas & The Swingcats.

New names on the bill include Skin On Skin, the Australian-born, London-based producer and DJ, who sold out his Cyprus Avenue show almost instantly. Singer-songwriter Jaz Karis joins forces with Irish artist Jessica Doolan, while Sambroso All Stars will perform Buena Vista. Fish56Octagon also joins the line-up.

Xmunashe, a rising Botswanian-born artist, will support drummer and bandleader Yussef Dayes. Chicane joins the programme at Cyprus Avenue, and Hypnotic Brass Ensemble return, supported by Cooks But We’re Chefs. Tolü Makay & Zaska will also perform.

Several headline events have already sold out, including both the 7pm and 11pm shows of 49th & Main Live. Also sold out are Berlioz, Masters At Work, Kokoroko, ΣTELLA, Muireann Bradley, Skin On Skin and St Paul & The Broken Bones. Audiences are being urged not to leave it until the last minute for Annie Mac, Jasmine Myra, Okonski and Luke Thomas.

Other shows highlighted for the weekend include Courtney Pine, Jason Moran, Yussef Dayes and Joe Armon-Jones. There is also The Music of John Coltrane & Miles Davis with Keyon Harrold & Marcus Strickland, along with Riversphere.

Away from the ticketed shows, the free Guinness Music Trail brings live music to around 70 venues across Cork. Surprise pop-up performances and the brass bands of The Big Fringe will also spill out onto the streets. The festival extends beyond the city centre too, with events in Douglas and Kinsale.

The festival is supported by Diageo, Fáilte Ireland, Cork City Council and Cork Airport. Tickets and the full programme are available at www.guinnesscorkjazzfestival.com, and audiences can follow @guinnesscorkjazz on social media for updates throughout the festival weekend.