Vitoria Jazz Festival 2026: history, dates, atmosphere, places to eat and stay

Vitoria Jazz Festival 2026: Featured Artists

A few years ago, Xabier Añua, the director and creator of the Vitoria Jazz Festival, passed away. Añua raised the event to the European frontline by attracting the most established musicians to Gasteiz.

Amaro Freitas Trío (Palacio de Congresos Europa. Monday, July 13th, 20:00 hours) 

One of the benchmarks of contemporary jazz will open this distinguished vitoriano cultural event. The Brazilian Amaro Freitas will come accompanied by Sidiel Vieira on double bass and Rodrigo Digão Braz on drums. The Europa Pavilion will be the stalls for this premiere.

New Jazz Underground (Palacio de Congresos Europa. Tuesday, July 14th, 20:00 hours) 

Probably New Jazz Underground is the formation that best represents the shift towards modernity of the Vitoria Jazz Festival. The Americans ride between jazz and hip hop in a fresh proposal with vanguard airs. 

The saxophonist Abdias Armenteros, the bassist Sebastian Rios, and the drummer TJ Reddick, natives of Florida, met at the prestigious Julliard University in New York and became popular playing on the street during the pandemic. However, their studio performances have had notable success.

Gretchen Parlato (Mendizorroza. Wednesday, July 15th, 20:30 hours) 

Nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Vocal Jazz Album on three occasions, the American can boast of having shared the stage with historical figures such as Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Kenny Barron, Esperanza Spalding, Terence Blanchard, Marcus Miller, or Lionel Loueke. 

If Freitas will inaugurate the Festival from the boards of the Palacio de Congresos Europa, Parlato will do the same from the main stage. The first concert at the Mendizorroza sports complex will be led by the talented Californian.

Take 6 (Mendizorroza. Wednesday, July 15th, 20:30 hours)

No, location and date are not a mistake. Take 6 will complement the double performance on Tuesday in a top-carat vocal night.

 Winners of ten Grammys, the American band will rely solely on the vocal cords of its members to navigate between jazz, soul, gospel, and rhythm & blues.

 The formation from Alabama has shared projects with high-status people like Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, or Ray Charles within related genres. In addition, other styles like hip hop, through Queen Latifah, or pop, through Eros Ramazzotti, have enjoyed their talent.

Iosu Izaguirre 6tet (Palacio de Congresos Europa. Wednesday, July 15th, 17:30 hours)

 Since Zárate's arrival at the direction of the festival, there has been an emphasis on betting on local talent. This edition, the chosen one to represent this proposal is the double bassist Iosu Izaguirre. 

Izaguirre has resided in Barcelona, an important benchmark for jazz in the European sphere. However, his influences also extend towards popular music, as demonstrated by his collaborations with recognized local musicians such as Mikel Laboa, Gari, or Ruper Ordorika.

Rubén Blades (Mendizorroza. Friday, July 17th, 20:30 hours) 

It is true that with the turn undertaken by the festival regarding artists and prevailing trends, Vitoria has lost a good number of international stars without dismissing emerging figures. 

In this scenario, without a doubt, Rubén Blades is the name of the festival. The gasteiztarra cultural event aligns a salsa legend who repeats on the boards of Mendizorroza, where he already left a magnificent taste in the mouth. 

The former minister of culture of Panama, the reckless Sergeant Archuleta in Predator 2, the renowned creator of a benchmark of intellectual salsa such as Pedro Navaja will, surely, make the respectable audience dance.

Street atmosphere during the festival 

One of the attractions of the Vitoria Jazz Festival lies in the atmosphere experienced in the city. Especially in the center of the Alavese capital, although also in certain neighborhoods, one can enjoy several concerts. 

Jazz is the prevailing style, although the sidewalks and the boards of hospitality establishments also allow themselves to navigate on the back of notes of soul, funk, rock… 

Café Dublín, in the central plaza de la Virgen Blanca, is a safe bet for its quality and its wide programming. Kutxilleria street also usually hosts quality concerts in several of its bars. At night, the NH hotel is the right place for jam sessions.

History of the Vitoria-Gasteiz Jazz Festival 

As mentioned previously, the gasteiztarra cultural event will turn half a century in 2027. In 1977, a festival that lasted a couple of days was premiered. It would not be until 1995 when it would be extended to a week. 

From there, its consolidation would be progressive until becoming a benchmark on the scene. In fact, in its first editions, it served as the stalls for the winners of the amateur contest of the San Sebastián festival. 

However, the visit in 1981 of Muddy Waters or, two years later, of Ella Fitzgerald would contribute significantly to putting the event in a prestigious position. 

Since then, many of the greatest musicians of the genre such as Marcus Miller, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, or Paco de Lucía have walked through the Alavese capital.

Where to eat at the Vitoria Jazz Festival 2026 

Vitoria is known for its hospitality. Pintxos and "standard meals" can be made compatible during this week between concert and concert. Regarding pintxos, here are some recommendations: 

• Sagartoki: what was in 2005 and 2006 the Best Pintxos Bar in Spain keeps its aura intact. Its famous egg pintxo, a must-have. 

• Toloño: another city classic. Located at the slopes of the old town, it features an excellent variety. The Peperonccino and the Irlandés de Perretxikos stand out. 

• Arima: new blood for the pintxo community in Gasteiz. Fusion cuisine and a praised potato pintxo with truffle. 

For those for whom the pintxo menu falls short, Vitoria has traditional options too: 

• Matxete (a traditional Basque food steakhouse right in the historic center), 

• La Bodeguilla de Lanciego (specialized in top-quality fish in the Judimendi neighborhood), and 

• Kromátiko (vanguard Asian-Basque fusion).

Where to stay at the Vitoria Jazz Festival 2026 

There are several options in the city, although closeness and convenience to the Jazz Festival are key in this regard. We leave some proposals to experience this cultural event closely: 

• Líbere (recently built apartments near the Europa Palace), 

• Ciudad de Vitoria (a high-quality four-star hotel near Mendizorroza)

• Kora Green City (modern apartments in the center with an infinity pool).

Engel & Völkers and the Vitoria Jazz Festival 2026 

The Engel & Völkers office in Vitoria is no stranger to the cultural movement that takes place in the city, especially during the summer. The summer season does not only host the Vitoria Jazz Festival and the Azkena; cultural events multiply during this period of time.

These two great festivals are located in the Mendizorroza neighborhood, an area where our firm hosts multiple properties. The distinction of the area is one of the characteristics why it is so highly requested.

However, the downtown area also hosts shows such as Kaldearte or Magialdia, events that colonize the hill through art. Likewise, this central zone is also one of the areas that this office works with the most, as can be seen inour sales portfolio.

Frequently asked questions about the Vitoria Jazz Festival 2026

Which are the most outstanding bands? Surely Take 6 and Rubén Blades are the most prestigious artists in this edition.

How to go to the festival? There are two stages, Palacio de Congresos Europa and the Mendizorroza sports complex. Both are a few minutes from the center on foot.

What time do the concerts start? On Monday and Tuesday, there is a concert at the Palacio de Congresos Europa at 20:00h. From then on, one at the aforementioned venue at 17:30h and two more in Mendizorroza at 20:30h.

How much does it cost to see the Vitoria Jazz Festival? The season pass in Mendizorroza is between €115 and €165; day tickets are between €30 and €50. At the Europa, the season pass is €85 and the concerts are €20.