Celebrate 100 years of jazz in Kraków as Jazz Night returns on 18 July with more than 20 free concerts across the city, featuring leading Polish and international artists.
Kraków will once again celebrate one of its most anticipated cultural evenings of the summer when Jazz Night (Noc Jazzu) returns on Friday, 18 July. This year’s edition is especially significant, marking both the 20th anniversary of the festival and 100 years of jazz in Kraków.
For one evening, the city will be transformed into a giant stage as jazz echoes through historic squares, cultural centres, parks, churches and music clubs. Visitors can enjoy everything from traditional swing and spectacular big band performances to contemporary jazz, electronic fusion and experimental improvisation.
With almost every concert free to attend, Jazz Night continues to be one of Kraków’s most accessible and diverse cultural events.
A Double Celebration for Kraków’s Jazz Heritage
The 2026 edition is more than just another festival. It celebrates a century since jazz first became part of Kraków’s musical identity while also marking twenty years of Free Jazz Night, now firmly established as one of the highlights of the city’s annual cultural calendar.
As part of the wider Krakowskie Noce (Kraków Nights) programme, the festival showcases both established performers and emerging talent across multiple districts, including the Old Town, Nowa Huta, Podgórze and Krowodrza.
The programme reflects the remarkable diversity of contemporary jazz, with performances ranging from intimate acoustic ensembles to large-scale orchestras and innovative projects that blend jazz with ambient music, rock, folk and electronics.
Mały Rynek Hosts the Festival’s Main Stage
The heart of the celebrations will once again be the outdoor stage beside Kraków Forum Kultury on Mały Rynek.
The afternoon begins with Brume Trio, whose original compositions combine jazz improvisation with ambient textures and electronic influences. They will be followed by Heartbeats, featuring Grzegorz Pałka, Szymon Mika and Mateusz Pałka, presenting a fresh interpretation of the traditional jazz trio.
One of the headline performances comes from Mateusz Gawęda Trio, widely regarded as one of the most exciting groups on the contemporary Polish jazz scene. Their music draws inspiration from 1960s jazz while incorporating European classical influences and modern composition.
Later, Sławek Pezda Quartet will explore adventurous improvisation before Unbound, featuring Szymon Mika, Marta Wajdzik and Mateusz Borgiel, takes audiences on a genre-crossing musical journey inspired by jazz, classical music, rock and electronics.
The evening concludes with a special anniversary concert by Big Band Małopolski, celebrating Kraków’s jazz traditions. Joining the orchestra will be acclaimed Polish vocalist Lora Szafran, internationally renowned British trumpeter Bryan Corbett, and Dutch rapper and beatbox artist Andy Ninvalle, creating a performance that bridges classic big band traditions with contemporary musical styles.
Gaming Music Meets Jazz in Nowa Huta
The Nowohuckie Centrum Kultury has assembled a programme that demonstrates just how versatile jazz can be.
Among the highlights is Gaming Music Meets Jazz, where memorable themes from popular video games will be reimagined through sophisticated jazz arrangements, creating an unusual crossover between gaming culture and live performance.
Audiences can also enjoy Kuba Banaszek Trio, while the venue’s finale pairs distinguished trumpeter Piotr Wojtasik with one of Poland’s most celebrated vocalists, Anna Maria Jopek, for an evening promising exceptional musicianship and expressive improvisation.
Sitkowski Band Two Generations Performs at CSW Solvay
Fans of traditional big band music should make time for the concert at Centrum Sztuki Współczesnej Solvay, where Sitkowski Band Two Generations presents its programme, From Count Basie to Tower of Power.
Founded in 2017 by drummer Mirosław Sitkowski, the ensemble is built around two musical families, bringing fathers and sons together on stage. Alongside Mirosław and Maciej Sitkowski are Jerzy and Dawid Główczewski, supported by pianist Marek Walarowski, guitarist Andrzej Gondek, trombonist Paweł Pukowiec and trumpeters Kuba Soczek and Albert Sumara.
The group has performed alongside American musicians Mark Preston and Kenny James, appeared at numerous festivals and workshops, and performed in the prestigious concert hall of the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra in Katowice.
Their programme traces the evolution of big band music from the golden age of swing through to contemporary jazz-rock, offering audiences an entertaining journey through decades of jazz history.
The concert begins at 6.00 pm at CSW Solvay, Zakopiańska 62.
Admission is free, although complimentary tickets must be collected in advance either from the CSW Solvay reception between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm, Monday to Friday, or reserved online.
Jazz Across the City
Jazz Night extends far beyond its headline venues, with performances taking place throughout Kraków.
Visitors can experience live music at Scena Berlin, where Baobaby and Julka Dobrowolska Quintet perform before the traditional late-night jam session.
Cracow Groove Lab presents Cracow Youth Jazz, showcasing talented young musicians from Kraków’s thriving jazz community.
At Klub Pod Jaszczurami, Główny Zawór Jazzu will reinterpret well-known Polish songs through inventive jazz arrangements.
Meanwhile, Wesoła Immersive hosts Mr Krime & Tomasz Nowak, combining jazz improvisation with electronic music, soul, funk and DJ culture.
For something altogether different, audiences can attend Felice Nowo at St Giles’ Church, where Tomasz Kudyk, Maciej Adamczak and Mateusz Pałka reinterpret the music of Feliks Nowowiejski through contemporary jazz.
Elsewhere, Szymon Kozikowski Trio performs at Mech Cafe within the Symbioza Environmental Education Centre, while Kajetan Galas and Margo Zuber present Jazz with History in the Background at Stradom House Hotel & Spa, Autograph Collection.
Free Admission Across Almost the Entire Festival
One of the defining features of Jazz Night is its accessibility.
Admission to almost every concert is completely free, with no advance booking required for most performances. The only exception is the concert at Symbioza Environmental Education Centre (Mech Cafe), where complimentary tickets are required.
Visitors planning to attend multiple concerts are encouraged to check the official programme in advance, as performances take place simultaneously across numerous venues throughout the city.
Event Details
Event: Jazz Night (Noc Jazzu) 2026
Date: Friday 18 July 2026
Location: Multiple venues across Kraków
Admission: Free (except where complimentary tickets are required)
Organisers: City of Kraków in partnership with Kraków Forum Kultury, Nowohuckie Centrum Kultury, Centrum Kultury Podgórza, Centrum Kultury Dworek Białoprądnicki and participating venues.
Why It Matters
Jazz Night has grown into one of Kraków’s signature summer events, celebrating both the city’s rich musical heritage and the continued evolution of jazz. By presenting internationally recognised performers alongside emerging artists in venues across the city, the festival offers residents and visitors alike an opportunity to experience one of Europe’s great cultural cities through music.
Whether you are a lifelong jazz enthusiast or simply looking for a memorable summer evening in Kraków, the festival offers an outstanding opportunity to discover the breadth and creativity of today’s jazz scene.
Click here for more weekend plans in Krakow!
