Guimarães Jazz Festival 2025 – Portugal

Background & History

Guimarães Jazz Festival, launched in 1992, is one of Portugal’s premier jazz events, organized by A Oficina in collaboration with the Guimarães Municipality. Celebrating its 34th edition from November 6–15, 2025, it transforms Guimarães into a jazz hub, showcasing international and Portuguese artists.

Known for its eclectic programming, the festival blends contemporary jazz with experimental sounds, featuring icons like Maria João and Immanuel Wilkins. Held primarily at Centro Cultural Vila Flor (CCVF), it also utilizes unique venues across the city, fostering a vibrant cultural scene since its critically acclaimed debut, once dubbed the best festival of the year.

Festival Highlights

• 12 concerts featuring global jazz stars like Immanuel Wilkins, Maria João, Fred Hersch, and Danilo Pérez with Bohuslän Big Band.
• Jam sessions led by Alex Hitchcock Quintet at Convívio and Café Concerto, free with concert tickets.
• Jazz workshops (Nov 11, 2:30 PM–6:00 PM) with Alex Hitchcock Quintet, open to all skill levels.
• Free events: Projeto Centro de Estudos de Jazz (UAveiro) and Orquestra Jazz ESMAE performances.
• Collaborative projects with Sonoscopia and Porta-Jazz, highlighting Portuguese talent like André Carvalho.
• Exhibitions and talks celebrating jazz’s cultural impact, hosted at CIAJG and CCVF.

Program Details

The 2025 lineup, available on ccvf.pt and oficina.bol.pt, includes:

• November 6:
  • 9:30 PM: Immanuel Wilkins – Blues Blood (CCVF, Grande Auditório)
  • 11:59 PM: Jam Session with Alex Hitchcock Quintet (Convívio)
• November 7:
  • 9:30 PM: Maria João & Orquestra de Guimarães – Abundância (CCVF, Grande Auditório)
  • 11:59 PM: Jam Session (Convívio)
• November 8:
  • 4:00 PM: Projeto Centro de Estudos de Jazz UAveiro – Hugo Santos 5tet (CCVF)
  • 6:00 PM: André Carvalho – Of Fragility and Impermanence (CCVF)
  • 9:30 PM: Fred Hersch Trio (CCVF, Grande Auditório)
  • 11:59 PM: Jam Session (Convívio)
• November 9:
  • 5:00 PM: Orquestra Jazz ESMAE, directed by Alex Hitchcock (CCVF)
  • 9:30 PM: Projeto Porta-Jazz, feat. Clara Lacerda & Vasco Gato (CIAJG, Black Box)
• November 11:
  • 2:30 PM–6:00 PM: Jazz Workshops with Alex Hitchcock Quintet (CCVF)
• November 13:
  • 9:30 PM: Mark Turner Quintet (CCVF, Grande Auditório)
  • 11:59 PM: Jam Session (Café Concerto)
• November 14:
  • 9:30 PM: Craig Taborn, Tomeka Reid, Ches Smith (CCVF, Grande Auditório)
  • 11:59 PM: Jam Session (Café Concerto)
• November 15:
  • 4:00 PM: Projeto Sonoscopia – Trio Kvelvane (CCVF)
  • 6:00 PM: Alex Hitchcock Quintet (CCVF)
  • 9:30 PM: Danilo Pérez with Bohuslän Big Band (CCVF, Grande Auditório)
  • 11:59 PM: Jam Session (Café Concerto) Full schedule and artist details on ccvf.pt by October 2025.

Date & Duration

• Dates: November 6–15, 2025
• Duration: 10 days
• Programme announcement: Expected October 2025 on ccvf.pt
• Ticket sales: Available now via oficina.bol.pt; on-site at CCVF, CIAJG, and other points

Venues

• Centro Cultural Vila Flor (CCVF): Main venue for concerts and workshops, with Grande and Pequeno Auditórios.
• Centro Internacional das Artes José de Guimarães (CIAJG): Hosts select performances, like Projeto Porta-Jazz.
• Supplementary Venues: Convívio and Café Concerto for jam sessions; ASA Factory for workshops.
• All venues are within walking distance in Guimarães’ historic center.

Main Location Address

• Centro Cultural Vila Flor (CCVF): Avenida D. Afonso Henriques, 701, 4810-431 Guimarães, Portugal
• Other key venues:
  • CIAJG: Avenida Conde de Margaride, 175, 4810-525 Guimarães, Portugal
  • Convívio: Largo Condessa do Juncal, 4810-257 Guimarães, Portugal
  • Café Concerto: CCVF premises, Avenida D. Afonso Henriques, 701, 4810-431 Guimarães, Portugal

Contact Information

• General: geral@aoficina.pt, +351 253 424 700
• Ticket office: bilheteira@aoficina.pt, +351 253 424 700
• Press: brunobarreto@aoficina.pt, +351 915 191 218
• Website: ccvf.pt, oficina.bol.pt
• Social media: Facebook (facebook.com/guimaraesjazz), Instagram (instagram.com/guimaraesjazz)
• Physical ticket sales: CCVF, CIAJG, Guimarães Memory House, Oficina Store, Fnac, Worten, El Corte Inglés

Ticket Information

• Individual Concert Tickets:
  • Immanuel Wilkins – Blues Blood: $16.20 (regular), $10.80 (discounted)
  • Maria João & Orquestra de Guimarães – Abundância: $21.60 (regular), $16.20 (discounted)
  • André Carvalho – Of Fragility and Impermanence: $10.80 (regular), $8.10 (discounted)
  • Fred Hersch Trio: $16.20 (regular), $10.80 (discounted)
  • Projeto Porta-Jazz: $10.80 (regular), $8.10 (discounted)
  • Mark Turner Quintet: $16.20 (regular), $10.80 (discounted)
  • Craig Taborn, Tomeka Reid, Ches Smith: $16.20 (regular), $10.80 (discounted)
  • Alex Hitchcock Quintet: $10.80 (regular), $8.10 (discounted)
  • Danilo Pérez with Bohuslän Big Band: $21.60 (regular), $16.20 (discounted)
• Subscription Passes (before discounts):
  • 2 concerts: $37.80 (10% discount applied: ~$34.02)
  • 3 concerts: $48.60 (20% discount applied: ~$38.88)
  • 4 concerts: $64.80 (30% discount applied: ~$45.36)
• Free Events: Projeto Centro de Estudos de Jazz UAveiro, Orquestra Jazz ESMAE, and jam sessions (with concert ticket).
• Discounts: Available for under 30s, students, people with disabilities (plus companion), over 65s, Cultural Quadrangle Card holders (50% off).
• Purchase via: oficina.bol.pt (online), or physical counters at CCVF, CIAJG, Guimarães Memory House, Oficina Store, Fnac, Worten, El Corte Inglés.
• Notes: Tickets sent as PDFs; no printing needed. Reservations must be collected within 5 days or 2 days before shows. Ages 6+, no refunds except for cancellations or performer changes.

Cultural Experience

Guimarães Jazz Festival turns the UNESCO World Heritage city of Guimarães into a jazz haven, blending historic venues with cutting-edge music. Performances by Maria João and Danilo Pérez resonate in CCVF’s auditoriums, while jam sessions at Convívio foster spontaneity. Local cuisine, like caldo verde and rojões, is available near venues, enhancing the cultural immersion. The festival’s workshops and talks engage jazz enthusiasts, creating a communal atmosphere in Portugal’s “birthplace city.”

Accessibility

• Wheelchair-accessible parking, ramps, toilets, and elevators at CCVF and CIAJG.
• Rest areas are available for comfort.
• Contact bilheteira@aoficina.pt for specific accessibility needs or to reserve spaces.
• Portuguese subtitles for select talks and workshops.

Getting There

• Centro Cultural Vila Flor:
  • Bus: Lines 1, 2 to Centro Cultural Vila Flor (check guimabus.pt)
  • Car: Parking available at CCVF; use A11 highway to Guimarães
  • Train: Guimarães station (1.5 km), taxi or 15-minute walk
• CIAJG, Convívio, Café Concerto: All within 10-minute walk from CCVF
• Airport: Francisco Sá Carneiro (Porto, 50 km), taxi or bus (GetBus to Guimarães, 50 minutes)
• Check cp.pt or getbus.pt for schedules.

Sustainability Initiatives

The festival encourages public transport use and digital ticketing to reduce environmental impact. CCVF uses energy-efficient lighting and sound systems, and workshops discuss sustainability in music culture, aligning with A Oficina’s eco-conscious ethos.

Accommodation Options

Near CCVF:

• Luxury: Pousada Mosteiro de Guimarães (Largo da Oliveira, 4810-431), from $150/night
• Mid-range: Hotel de Guimarães (Rua Eduardo Almeida, 4810-440), from $90/night
• Budget: My Hostel Guimarães (Rua Francisco Agra, 4800-157), from $40/night
• Boutique: EMAJ Guimarães Boutique Hotel (Largo do Toural, 4810-427), from $110/night Book via booking.com or visitguimaraes.travel.

Code of Conduct

A Oficina enforces a strict policy against smoking, eating, drinking, or recording in performance halls. Large bags and animals (except guide dogs) are prohibited. Attendees must respect ushers’ instructions and prioritize vulnerable groups. Violations may lead to removal. Report issues to staff or bilheteira@aoficina.pt.

Artist Submissions

Musicians or collaborators can submit proposals to geral@aoficina.pt by June 2025. Include performance details and recordings. Programming occurs early each year.