Jazz à Juan – France 2026

Background & History

• Origins: Founded in 1960 as the Antibes Jazz Festival by Jacques Souplet and Jacques Hebey, in memory of Sidney Bechet’s 1951 wedding in Juan-les-Pins, it began as Europe’s first open-air jazz event, blending New Orleans sounds with Côte d’Azur glamour.
• Cultural Significance: As one of the world’s oldest jazz festivals, it celebrates jazz’s evolution from bebop to fusion, hosting legends while discovering emerging talents, set against the iconic Pinède Gould’s century-old pines and Mediterranean backdrop.
• Evolution: Started with simultaneous events in Antibes and Juan-les-Pins, it focused solely on Pinède Gould from 1961; paused in the 1970s and 2020 due to external factors, but revived with eclectic programming, reaching its 66th edition in 2026.
• Global Impact: Has featured 500+ artists from 50+ countries, recording landmark albums like Miles Davis’ Miles in Antibes (1969) and Charles Mingus’ Mingus at Antibes (1976); inspired festivals like Montreux (Claude Nobs: “If I hadn’t passed through Antibes, Montreux wouldn’t exist”).
• Committed Festival: Emphasizes sustainability with carbon impact calculators for travel; supports young jazz via Jammin’Summer sessions; partners with AIDES for health initiatives and promotes diversity through inclusive lineups.
• Milestones: Debuted Ray Charles’ European concert (1960), John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme (1965), and Herbie Hancock’s multiple appearances; 2025 featured Gregory Porter and Jamie Cullum; 2026 builds on this with a focus on global fusion.
• Community Role: Managed by the Antibes Juan-les-Pins Tourist Office since 1971, it boosts local tourism by €5–7 million annually, engages 80,000+ attendees, and integrates with town events like marching bands and exhibitions.

Event Highlights

• Main Concerts at Pinède Gould: Evening headliners from July 10–August 12, 2026, including returning stars like Herbie Hancock and emerging acts like Marion Rampal, blending classics with electro-jazz fusions under the stars.
• Jammin’Summer Sessions: Free daily concerts (7:15–8:15 PM, July 10–21) at Petite Pinède featuring young international talents from France, Norway, and Canada, discovered at Jammin’Juan market (October 2025).
• Marching Bands: 8 free parades (20:30–21:30, select evenings July–August) through Antibes and Juan-les-Pins streets, playing New Orleans jazz and funky repertoires, starting from Office du Tourisme Marenda Lacan.
• Jazz Club Sessions: Post-concert jam sessions (11:00 PM–1:00 AM, July 10–19) at Hotel AC Ambassadeur, led by Nils Indjein trio; free with reservation, featuring improvisational sets.
• Exhibitions: Hervé Rubeaud’s jazz portraits at AC Ambassadeur Hotel (July 1–September 30); Christian Rahal’s photography at Juan-les-Pins Tourist Office, capturing festival emotions.
• Business Evenings: Professional networking (dates TBD), connecting artists and industry pros, with panels on jazz’s future, held at Palais des Congrès.
• Around the Festival: Free matinees at Médiathèque Albert Camus (July 15 & 18, 11:00 AM); pétanque and DJ aperitifs pre-concerts (6:30 PM); Handprints of Giants walk along Pinède Gould.
• Unique Attractions: Carbon impact calculator for travel; eco-friendly shuttles; 2026 theme “Jazz & Light” with light installations syncing to music, enhancing the pine grove’s magical ambiance.

Date & Duration

• Dates: July 10 – August 12, 2026 (projected based on 2025’s July 10–August 12, spanning summer peak).
• Duration: 34 days, with main concerts 5–6 nights/week (8:30 PM); daily Jammin’ sessions and parades.
• Key Schedule: Opening July 10 with Emile Londonien; mid-festival highlights July 18–19 (Dabeull, Caravan Palace); closing August 12 with a fusion finale.

Venue / Location

• City: Antibes-Juan-les-Pins, French Riviera, a glamorous coastal gem blending beaches, pines, and jazz heritage.
• Main Venue: Pinède Gould, a historic pine grove amphitheater (Boulevard Baudoin), hosting 5,000 under stars, with two entrances for crowd flow.
• Secondary Venues: Petite Pinède (Jammin’ sessions, Rue Jacques Leonetti); Jazz Club at Hotel AC Ambassadeur (Chemin des Sables); Médiathèque Albert Camus (matinees); streets for marching bands.
• Notable Areas: Palais des Congrès for business evenings; Tourist Offices (60 Chemin des Sables, Juan-les-Pins; 2 Rue Fontvieille, Antibes) for tickets/exhibits.
• Google Maps Address: Pinède Gould, Boulevard Baudoin, 06600 Antibes, France (43.5833° N, 7.1167° E) – iconic festival heart.

Ticket Information

• Ticket Sales: Online at jazzajuan.com (from March 28, 2026, 9:00 AM); Tourist Offices in Antibes/Juan-les-Pins (daily 9:00 AM–7:00 PM July–August); on-site at Pinède Gould entrance (6:30 PM, concert nights).
• Admission: Category 1–3 seats $55–$110 USD (€50–€100); reduced $27–$55 USD (€25–€50) for under-18s/students/LOL card holders (Category 3 only, ID check).
• Pricing: Minimum $27 USD (€25, reduced Category 3); maximum $110 USD (€100, Category 1 premium).
• Packages: Multi-night passes $220–$440 USD (€200–€400) for 4–8 concerts; VIP with lounge ($165 USD/€150 add-on).
• Free Events: Jammin’ sessions, matinees, parades, exhibitions; invitations for July 14 Gospel and free nights via accueil-juan@antibesjuanlespins.com (limit based on purchases).
• Disabled Access: Reserved seats, book via +33 4 22 10 60 01 or offices; wheelchair zones available.
• Note: Tickets personal/non-transferable; no liability for unofficial sales; doors open 6:30 PM, expect delays on peak nights.

Contact Information

• Email: info@jazzajuan.com (general/tickets); billetterie@jazzajuan.com (sales); presse@jazzajuan.com (press); pro@jazzajuan.com (business evenings).
• Phone: +33 4 22 10 60 01 (English/French, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM; tickets/reservations).
• Website: https://jazzajuan.com (programme, bookings, carbon calculator, shop).
• Social Media: @jazzajuan (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram for lineups, live streams, behind-the-scenes).
• Key Staff: Tourist Office of Antibes Juan-les-Pins; artistic director via info@jazzajuan.com.
• Press/Volunteers: Press via presse@jazzajuan.com; volunteers (ushers, setup) open April 2026 via pro@jazzajuan.com.
• Response Time: 24–48 hours for email; phone during hours.
• Language Support: French, English; some Spanish/Italian for international visitors.

Cultural Experience

• Jazz Heritage: From Bechet’s 1951 wedding to Coltrane’s A Love Supreme (1965), it celebrates jazz’s roots and evolution, with 2026 blending bebop, fusion, and electro-jazz under pines.
• Immersive Setting: Pinède Gould’s natural acoustics and sea breeze create a magical ambiance, with cicada “duets” (as with Ella Fitzgerald) adding to the Riviera romance.
• Diversity and Innovation: Eclectic lineup spans New Orleans to modern global sounds, with committed programming for women (e.g., Dianne Reeves) and youth via Jammin’ sessions.
• Community Vibes: Marching bands parade streets, fostering festive unity; exhibitions like Rubeaud’s portraits capture jazz souls; pétanque/DJ pre-shows enhance social bonds.
• Global Stars and Locals: Hosts icons like Herbie Hancock alongside Riviera talents, with handprints walk honoring 76 legends like Mingus and Davis.
• Sustainability Focus: Carbon calculator and carpooling promote eco-travel, aligning with France’s green initiatives.

Food & Drinks

• Socca: Chickpea pancake, Riviera staple at Petite Pinède stalls ($5–$8 USD).
• Salade Niçoise: Fresh tuna salad, served at Pinède food trucks ($8–$12 USD).
• Pastis: Anise aperitif, pre-concert ritual ($4–$6 USD).
• Ratatouille: Vegetable stew, local favorite at Jazz Club ($7–$10 USD).
• Tarte Tropézienne: Brioche cake, sweet treat at exhibitions ($3–$5 USD).
• Non-Alcoholic Options: Lemonade and fresh mint tea ($2–$4 USD).

Getting There

• Nearest Airport: Nice Côte d’Azur (NCE, 25 km), with trains to Antibes ($5 USD, 20 minutes).
• Public Transport: TER trains from Nice/Cannes to Juan-les-Pins ($3 USD, 10–15 minutes); buses 15/250 from airport ($2 USD).
• Carpooling: Via festival calculator on jazzajuan.com; search journeys and seats for eco-friendly rides.
• Plane/Train/Bus: Flights to NCE; TGV to Antibes station; Lignes d’Azur buses to Pinède Gould.
• Car: A8 highway from Nice (20 minutes); parking at Port Gallice ($15–$20 USD/day).
• Bicycle: Vélo Bleu rentals ($2 USD/hour); paths to Pinède.
• Accessibility: Shuttles for disabled; book via +33 4 22 10 60 01.

Accommodation Options

• Luxury: Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc (Cap d’Antibes, $500–$800 USD/night).
• Mid-Range: Hôtel Juana ($200–$350 USD/night); Belles Rives ($180–$300 USD/night).
• Budget: Hôtel La Bonne Auberge ($80–$120 USD/night); Airbnb in Juan-les-Pins ($60–$100 USD/night).
• Boutique: Hôtel Le Saint-Paul ($150–$250 USD/night).
• Hostels: Villa Saint Exupéry ($40–$70 USD/night).
• Rural Stays: Mas de la Rose ($100–$150 USD/night).