Scarborough Jazz Festival – Scarborough, England 2026
Overview
Scarborough Jazz Festival is a coastal celebration of jazz’s vibrant spectrum, filling the North Yorkshire seaside town of Scarborough with a three-day whirlwind of brass, bass, and improvisational fire that draws over 2,000 enthusiasts to the iconic Scarborough Spa’s Grand Hall, Sun Court, and Farrer’s Bar overlooking South Bay’s golden sands and crashing waves. In its 23rd year for 2026, this event—curated by director Mark Gordon since 2024—has become a highlight of the UK’s jazz calendar, blending mainstream, bebop, Latin, and big band sounds with tributes to legends like Oscar Peterson and Tubby Hayes, all while nurturing emerging talents in a venue where the sea’s rhythm underscores every riff; building on 2025’s lineup of luminaries like Emma Rawicz Jazz Orchestra and James Taylor Quartet, 2026 promises a return to its late-September tradition (likely September 25-27), fostering a warm, inclusive vibe that feels like a family reunion with a saxophone solo.
What sets Scarborough Jazz apart is its masterful balance of intimacy and accessibility—hosted in the Spa’s art deco splendor with sea views that amplify the swing, it champions diversity through youth programs like Jazz Train and community choirs, creating a festival where novices and aficionados alike sway from morning sessions to midnight encores; as a beacon for 22+ years, it’s a ritual of resilience and revelry, where the North Sea’s whisper harmonizes with every scat, leaving hearts humming and souls swaying with the tide of shared sonic joy. See official site: https://www.scarboroughspa.co.uk/whats-on/scarborough-jazz-festival
Event Highlights
- Main activities or performances: Over 30 sets across three days in the Grand Hall’s acoustics, Sun Court’s intervals, and Farrer’s late-night vibes, spanning bebop, Latin, big band, and vocal jazz; past editions featured Emma Rawicz Jazz Orchestra, Joe Stilgoe & The Entertainers, and Simon Spillett Big Band, with 2026 announcements pending but expected to include similar eclectic mixes like tributes to Art Pepper and Cal Tjader in sessions from 11:30am openers to 10:45pm closers, app-guided for seamless bay-side discovery.
- Special traditions or features: Annual late-September timing with Friday-Sunday sessions, rooted in 22+ years of coastal curation; compere Alan Barnes guiding the narrative; youth involvement via Jazz Train and Next Generation; accessibility via session breaks for sea strolls; ties into Scarborough’s Victorian heritage with gigs echoing the Spa’s 1920s glamour, blending music with the town’s castle-crowned cliffs and candy-striped beach huts.
- Unique attractions for visitors: Sun Court’s guest pianists on a Steinway grand amid South Bay views; Farrer’s late-night ensembles like The Project; family-friendly with some acts in the Grand Hall’s spacious hall; the festival’s compact layout fosters serendipity, from promenade busks to castle-top reflections, in a setting as breezy and brilliant as the Yorkshire coast.
Why attend
Scarborough Jazz Festival is a brassy serenade to Yorkshire’s coastal pulse, where saxophones sigh with the North Sea’s swell and trumpets trumpet like gulls, offering a festival that’s less marathon and more mesmerizing bay-side symposium—perfect for jazz aficionados craving intimacy over intensity, with its accessibility ensuring every riff resonates in affordability, far from festival frenzy. Its 23-year legacy of warm curation turns the Spa into a canvas where Rawicz’s orchestra meets Stilgoe’s swing in acoustics that amplify the tide’s murmur, nurturing a space where newcomers scat alongside veterans amid crab pots and candy-striped beach huts.
Beyond the bands, it’s a catalyst for coastal kinship: locals leading youth trains for wide-eyed prodigies, strangers circling for impromptu solos in Sun Court, and the quiet thrill of a Farrer’s encore that blurs bar and breakers; as a seaside rite of resilience, attending sustains a living legacy, leaving you recharged, with a program full of scribbled solos, and humming riffs on the homeward cliff path—ideal for rediscovering jazz’s buoyant power to gather, groove, and glide in England’s wave-kissed north.
Date & Duration
Dates: September 25 – September 27, 2026, Duration: 3 days
Venue / Location
Scarborough Spa serves as the primary venue, with the Grand Hall for main sessions, Sun Court for intervals and early jazz, and Farrer’s Bar and Restaurant for late-night sets overlooking South Bay; all within the Spa complex; no additional off-site. Main Google location address: Scarborough Spa, South Bay, Scarborough, North Yorkshire YO11 2HD, United Kingdom
Ticket Information
- Tickets sold online via the Scarborough Spa website (scarboroughspa.co.uk/whats-on/scarborough-jazz-festival) or box office; options include weekend passes, day tickets, and session tickets (Session 1 morning/afternoon, Session 2 evening).
- Admission paid; all-ages with some adult content; under-16s with adult.
- Ticket pricing: Tickets start from £23 (~$30 USD); weekend passes ~$104-$130 USD (£80-£100); day/session tickets ~$39-$65 USD (£30-£50).
- Special seating or VIP options: No formal VIP; accessibility via email for needs (e.g., Blue Badge seating); some sessions wheelchair-friendly.
- Minimum and maximum ticket price range: Minimum ~$30 USD (£23, single session); Maximum ~$130 USD (£100, weekend pass).
Booking with Euro Travelo
Planning to enjoy this music festival without the stress? Euro Travelo can help you book tickets, organize travel, and handle your entire trip from start to finish. Whether it’s a vibrant music festival, live concert, or cultural celebration, our team ensures a smooth experience for music lovers across Europe. Contact Euro Travelo today to secure your festival tickets and travel arrangements.
Contact Information
- Email: enquiries@scarboroughspa.co.uk (general inquiries, tickets).
- Phone: +44 1723 376774 (box office).
- Website: https://www.scarboroughspa.co.uk/whats-on/scarborough-jazz-festival (official site for lineup, tickets, updates).
- Social Media: @scarboroughspa (Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram).
- Key Staff: Mark Gordon (festival director).
- Press/Volunteers: Press via enquiries@; volunteer opportunities via site (open for support roles).
- Note: Response time ~24–48 hours. English support; sign up for updates.
Getting There
- Nearest airports: Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA, ~60 miles/1.5-hour drive); Durham Tees Valley Airport (MME, ~80 miles/2-hour drive).
- Public transport: Trains to Scarborough Station (0.5 miles/10-min walk, ~3 hours from London King’s Cross); buses 8/10 from York (~1 hour).
- Parking: Free/discounted at Scarborough Spa during events (~£3/day, ~$3.90 USD); town center ~£1.50/hour (~$1.95 USD).
- Driving directions: From A64 (York to Scarborough), follow signs to South Bay; sat-nav YO11 2HD; ~4 hours from London.
Accommodation Options
- On-site camping: Not available; town-based.
- Glamping and VIP: No; some hotels offer packages.
- Nearby hotels: The Grand Hotel Scarborough (0.2 miles, sea views, ~$130 USD/night) or Scarborough Travelodge (0.5 miles, budget access, ~$91 USD); book via Booking.com.
- Local B&Bs and rentals: The Copper Horse (1 mile, coastal charm, ~$110 USD) or Airbnb beach houses in Filey (10 miles, ~$150 USD); 20+ options—book early for September.
Reviews
- Grand Hall swung—Rawicz’s orchestra a stormer, Sun Court’s vibes intimate, and Scarborough’s welcome breezy; coastal jazz nirvana.
- Stilgoe’s entertains soared—diverse lineup a delight, easy acoustics, and bay breeze magic; back for the scat.
- Workshops wove delight, sets soulful; some free joys, and Spa’s art deco gold—timeless Yorkshire tune.
Maps
Contact
Video
FAQ's
What's the re-entry policy at Scarborough Jazz Festival?
Tickets scanned per session (no full re-entry; multi-day passes allow multiple); no wristbands. Lost ticket? Email enquiries@scarboroughspa.co.uk with ref for reissue (screenshot as backup); 95% smooth with box office aid (open till 10pm). Name changes via support pre-event; security light with bag checks. On-site volunteers (5-min fix) aid, with program for navigation.
How family-friendly is Scarborough Jazz Festival for young kids?
Moderately welcoming—all-ages with adult accompaniment; some venues like Grand Hall allow kids, with content varying; morning sessions encourage participation but wrap by 11pm for quieter nights and Halls offering space for little ones. Lost child policy with wristbands and volunteer stewards; some jazz suits all ages, but email for suitability checks on evening content. Some attend with families; town's safe beaches add exploration—ideal for introducing swing to young ears through parade marches.
Are there dietary or accessibility accommodations at Scarborough Jazz Festival?
Spa concessions offer vegan/gluten-free options with clear menus (flag allergies at order), plus Farrer's Bar has sponsor-provided dishes focused on Yorkshire seafood alternatives. Accessibility includes ramps at Grand Hall, reserved seating with proof (e.g., Blue Badge—email for arrangements), and venue policy ensuring inclusive access for all abilities with trained volunteers at entry points; some stepped but mostly flat. Strobe warnings for lights; some areas windy. Case-by-case: Submit Access Card or GP letter for custom needs like quiet zones or shuttle aid for hybrid vehicles.
Can I bring my dog or pet to Scarborough Jazz Festival?
Dogs welcomed in outdoor areas like Sun Court with immediate cleanup required to respect the coastal site, crowds, and South Bay wildlife; assistance dogs need prior email (enquiries@scarboroughspa.co.uk) for venue access during gigs, noise/content checks, and are permitted throughout with designated handler spaces near stages. Ejection risk if uncontrolled near performers or families; nearby promenade paths offer scenic walks with sea views to explore. Strict rules align with community policies—fines for non-compliance to maintain the festival's harmonious, inclusive spirit. Some B&Bs like The Grand Hotel (0.2 miles) are pet-friendly; prioritize the event's welcoming vibe while enjoying its pet-tolerant coastal charm, perhaps tying in with guided castle tours.
What's the parking and transport policy during Scarborough Jazz Festival?
Free/discounted at Scarborough Spa during events (~£3/day, ~$3.90 USD, 5-min walk to venues); town center limited with enforcement—use nearby lots (~£1.50/hour, ~$1.95 USD). Walking encouraged (~10 mins between sessions); buses 8/10 from York (~1 hour, ~$10 USD). Lost spot? Email for shuttle info (5-min frequency). Security directs traffic; 95% smooth with volunteer marshals. Email for EV charging or accessibility transport.
