If you have been waiting for an excuse to book that Cork trip, the 2026 Guinness Cork Jazz Festival runs from Thursday 22 to Monday 26 October. The line-up includes Berlioz, Yussef Dayes, Masters At Work, Boney M and Annie Mac, with more than 500 musicians playing across nearly 80 venues.
Who Is Playing
Berlioz, a London-based project of Ted Jasper, blends jazz, soul, house and funk into late-night grooves. Yussef Dayes brings his mix of jazz, broken beat and soul, and Masters At Work, with Kenny Dope and Louie Vega, bring their New York house sound to Cork together for the first time. Boney M featuring Maizie Williams perform on the Saturday. The programme also includes KOKOROKO, Courtney Pine and Jason Moran.
Why Cork Works Well This Autumn
The festival is spread across the city rather than held in one place. Ticketed concerts take place at venues such as Cork Opera House and Triskel Arts Centre, while the free Guinness Music Trail puts live music into pubs and public spaces. Cork is compact enough to walk between sessions, and it is a good base for exploring the city before or after the festival. For more ideas, read our guide to things to do in Cork or our case for spending more than a day in Cork.
Planning Your Trip
For dates, ticket information and how the Music Trail works, see our Cork Jazz Festival 2026 dates and Music Trail guide. Cork’s hotels and guesthouses can fill quickly during the festival, so it is worth booking accommodation as soon as your dates are set. If you are planning a wider autumn trip, our roundup of autumn festivals in Ireland covers other events in the season.
Originally reported by nialler9.com.
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