Nanaimo International Jazz Festival

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Nanaimo International Jazz Festival

Over 20 performances this September including 2 days of free concerts in Maffeo Sutton Park plus Festival headliners -- tickets on sale now!

Support the Nanaimo Jazz Festival, we are a family friendly community event! We provide tax deductible receipts for your charitable donations over $20
Nanaimo International Jazz Festival Association Charitable Registration #809075526 RR0001

09/10/2026

Saturday plans = sorted. 🎷

Join us September 12 at Maffeo Sutton Park for a full afternoon of FREE live music featuring:

🎶 The Nico Rhodes . Music Trio
🎶 Luke Blu Guthrie Duo
🎶 Busheikin/Graham Villette Music Quartet
🎶 Lache Cercel and The Roma Jazz Ensemble
🎶 Alex Maher

11 AM–5 PM. Free. Right on Nanaimo’s waterfront. See you there!

09/09/2026

FREE live music on the waterfront? Yes please. 🎶

This Saturday and Sunday, Maffeo Sutton Park comes alive with two full days of FREE concerts.

📅 September 12 & 13
⏰ 11 AM–5 PM
📍 Maffeo Sutton Park
🎟️ FREE

Bring a chair, grab your friends and family, and spend the weekend listening to some incredible live music by the harbour.

09/04/2026

Jazz Fest isn’t just happening on the big stages. 👀🎷

Some of the most interesting shows of this year’s festival are popping up around Nanaimo.

SEPT 19 | JAZZ JAM at The Vault Cafe | 9:30 PM
The annual Jazz Jam returns! Grab a seat, grab a drink and watch some fantastic musicians take the stage. Admission by suggested donation.

SEPT 20 | THE MEATING at 1515 Dufferin Cres Parkade (next to The Drip) | 2 PM
Jazz. In a parkade. Yes, really. A one-off “concrete concert” experience that might just be one of the most unusual shows you see all year. Admission by suggested donation.

Explore the full 10th Anniversary Festival lineup at nanaimojazzfest.ca.

09/03/2026

Summer isn’t over quite yet. ☀️🎷

Make the most of those last warm September days with two full days of FREE live music on Nanaimo’s waterfront.

Bring a chair or blanket, grab something to eat downtown and settle in at Maffeo Sutton Park for an afternoon of jazz, sunshine and seriously good music.

🎷 Two days
🎶 Ten acts
🌊 Waterfront views
🎟️ Completely FREE

📅 September 12 & 13
⏰ 11 AM–5 PM
📍 Maffeo Sutton Park

Soak up the last little bit of summer with us. ☀️

09/02/2026

On September 18, breakout artist MA:Q brings the 🔥 to The Queen's for Nanaimo Jazz Fest’s 10th Anniversary Festival.

Led by Vancouver-based Canadian Filipina keyboardist Mary Ancheta, MA:Q blends modern jazz with funk, hip hop, afrobeat and world influences into one seriously groove-driven sound.

🎹 Mary Ancheta — keys
🎷 Dominic Conway — sax
🎸 Matt Reid — bass
🥁 Paul Clark — drums

If you like your jazz funky, modern and a little unexpected, this is your show.

📅 September 18
📍 The Queen’s, Nanaimo

🎟️ Get your tickets here https://www.nanaimojazzfest.ca/maq

09/01/2026

To every volunteer who helps bring the Nanaimo Jazz Festival to life... thank you!

From welcoming guests and supporting performers to helping behind the scenes, our volunteers are the heart of the festival. Your time, energy, and enthusiasm create unforgettable experiences for artists and audiences alike. We couldn't do it without you. ❤️

Want to join our team?

We're looking for volunteers to help throughout the year or during the festival this month. Whether you're interested in hospitality, ticket sales, artist support, stage crew, or simply want to be part of an amazing community, there's a place for you. In return, you'll meet great people, receive festival swag, enjoy access to shows, and make memories that last long after the final encore.

Visit our website to learn more and sign up!
https://www.nanaimojazzfest.ca/volunteer

08/29/2026

TWO DAYS. TEN ACTS. COMPLETELY FREE.

One of the biggest weekends of Nanaimo Jazz Fest is happening right on the waterfront at Maffeo Sutton Park!

📅 September 12 & 13
⏰ 11 AM–5 PM
📍 Maffeo Sutton Park
🎟️ FREE

Bring a chair, grab some food, wander the waterfront and spend the day listening to incredible live music.

Saturday features The Shuffle Brothers featuring Nico Rhodes, Luke Blu Guthrie, Busheikin/Graham Villette Quartet, Lache Cercel & Roma Swing Orchestra and Alex Maher.

Then we do it all again Sunday with Fishin' Jazz Musicians, Slim Sandy's Atomic Cocktails, Doc Fingers, Phil Dwyer & Buff Allen Trio, Miles Black Music and The Midnights.

Two days of live music by the water. No ticket required.

🎷 nanaimojazzfest.ca

08/27/2026

JUST ANNOUNCED: MA:Q perform the September 18th at The Queen's as a part of the Nanaimo Int’l Jazz Festival

Mary & the guys will be joined by special guest Jon Roper

Tix in Bio.

08/23/2026

🎸 Award-winning guitarist Jocelyn Gould is bringing her incredible talent to Nanaimo!

Known for her dazzling technique, joyful performances and fresh approach to modern jazz, Jocelyn is one of Canada's brightest jazz stars.

Come see why audiences across North America can't stop talking about her.

Tickets here: https://www.eventist.ca/nanaimoJazzFest/add-to-cart?listingId=per__fe8WRjNqTCT_kTdY

10/31/2025

Happy Flashback Friday!

The Mardi Gras style Second Line parade is always a festival highlight, we can't wait to see everyone's costumes today (Happy Halloween!) and at the parade every year.

PC HA Photography

Address

PO Box 825
Nanaimo, BC
V9R5N2

Website

http://www.nanaimojazzfest.ca/, https://www.eventist.ca/nanaimoJazzFest

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