Seixal Jazz Festival – Portugal 2025

Background & History

The Seixal Jazz Festival, known as Seixal Jazz, is one of Portugal’s most prestigious and longest-running jazz festivals, celebrating its 26th edition in 2025. Launched in 1996 by the Seixal City Council, it has become a cornerstone of the national jazz scene, blending established international artists with emerging talents. Held in the scenic Seixal Bay area, the festival showcases diverse jazz styles, from traditional and modern to experimental and cross-cultural fusions.

With a commitment to accessibility, it offers both paid performances at the Seixal Municipal Auditorium and free concerts at the Seixal Jazz Club, attracting over 5,000 attendees annually. The festival’s unique setting along the Tagus River estuary, a National Ecological Reserve, enhances its cultural and environmental significance, supported by municipal initiatives to promote arts and community engagement.

Event Highlights

Seixal Jazz 2025 features a vibrant program over two weekends, with performances by world-class artists and innovative ensembles. Key highlights include:

• Six headline concerts at the Seixal Municipal Auditorium, featuring ARTEMIS, Fred Hersch, Carlos Bica Quartet, James Brandon Lewis Quartet, Yazz Ahmed, and Tyn Wybenga Brainteaser Ensemble.
• Free late-night performances at the Seixal Jazz Club, showcasing Portuguese talents like HOVER, Godua, Maria Carvalho Trio, António Carvalho Quintet, Hugo Lobo Trio, and Marta Rodrigues Quintet.
• A diverse lineup spanning cosmopolitan jazz (ARTEMIS), spiritual and free jazz (James Brandon Lewis), and Arabic-influenced sounds (Yazz Ahmed).
• Co-production with Casa da Música and Coimbra Jazz Festival for the Tyn Wybenga Brainteaser Ensemble, highlighting experimental instrumentation.
• Community outreach through free concerts and cultural integration with Seixal’s riverfront heritage.
• Recognition from critics, with performances by Downbeat award-winners like ARTEMIS (Jazz Group of the Year 2023-2024) and James Brandon Lewis (Saxophonist and Artist of the Year 2025).

Daily Program

Thursday, October 9

• Seixal Municipal Auditorium: ARTEMIS (10:00 PM, $14.04/$10.53 discounted).
• Seixal Jazz Club: HOVER (11:00 PM and midnight, free).

Friday, October 10

• Seixal Municipal Auditorium: Fred Hersch (10:00 PM, $14.04/$10.53).
• Seixal Jazz Club: Godua (11:00 PM and midnight, free).

Saturday, October 11

• Seixal Municipal Auditorium: Carlos Bica Quartet “11:11” (10:00 PM, $14.04/$10.53).
• Seixal Jazz Club: Maria Carvalho Trio (11:00 PM and midnight, free).

Thursday, October 16

• Seixal Municipal Auditorium: James Brandon Lewis Quartet (10:00 PM, $14.04/$10.53).
• Seixal Jazz Club: António Carvalho Quintet (11:00 PM and midnight, free).

Friday, October 17

• Seixal Municipal Auditorium: Yazz Ahmed (10:00 PM, $14.04/$10.53).
• Seixal Jazz Club: Hugo Lobo Trio (11:00 PM and midnight, free).

Saturday, October 18

• Seixal Municipal Auditorium: Tyn Wybenga Brainteaser Ensemble (10:00 PM, $14.04/$10.53).
• Seixal Jazz Club: Marta Rodrigues Quintet (11:00 PM and midnight, free).

Date & Duration

Dates: October 9–18, 2025
Duration: 10 days (two weekends, Thursday–Saturday)

Venue / Location

City: Seixal, Portugal
Main Venue: Alameda dos Bombeiros Voluntários 45, 2844-001 Seixal, Portugal
Secondary Venue: Seixal Jazz Club (location within Fórum Cultural do Seixal, specific details to be confirmed on cm-seixal.pt).
Seixal’s picturesque setting along the Tagus River estuary, a National Ecological Reserve, offers a scenic backdrop with views of Lisbon and a historic riverfront tied to the municipality’s maritime heritage.

Contact Information

Address: Seixal City Council, Alameda dos Bombeiros Voluntários, n.º 45, 2844-001 Seixal, Portugal
Phone: +351 212 276 700
Email: camara.geral@cm-seixal.pt
Website: cm-seixal.pt
Social Media: Instagram (@municipioseixal)

Ticket Information

Tickets are available online via BOL.pt, FNAC.pt, or at the Fórum Cultural do Seixal Ticket Office.

• Single Ticket: $14.04 (€12)
• Discounted Ticket (youths under 25, retirees, municipal employees): $10.53 (€9)
• 6-Day Subscription: $70.26 (€60)
  Seixal Jazz Club performances are free. Tickets typically go on sale in September; early purchase is recommended for headline concerts. Check cm-seixal.pt for updates.

Cultural Experience

SeixalJazz offers an immersive journey into jazz, blending international virtuosity with Portugal’s vibrant music scene. From ARTEMIS’s cosmopolitan elegance to Yazz Ahmed’s Arabic-infused melodies, the festival celebrates diverse influences, including Black spirituals, free jazz, and electronic experimentation. The Seixal Bay setting, with its historic shipyards and tidal mills, adds a unique cultural layer, connecting attendees to the municipality’s maritime legacy. Free concerts at the Seixal Jazz Club foster community engagement, while the Manuel Cargaleiro Arts Workshop nearby offers contemporary art exhibitions, enhancing the cultural experience.

Food & Drinks

Seixal’s riverfront eateries offer Portuguese specialties like bacalhau (codfish), cataplana (seafood stew), and pastéis de nata, complemented by Setúbal wines. Near the Fórum Cultural, visitors can find local cafes serving espresso, bifanas (pork sandwiches), and petiscos (tapas). The festival may feature food stalls with regional treats like chouriço or queijo da serra. For a cultural twist, try seafood dishes reflecting Seixal’s fishing heritage, available at restaurants along the bay.

Family & Accessibility

While primarily music-focused, Seixal Jazz is family-friendly, with free Seixal Jazz Club concerts open to all ages. The Municipal Auditorium is accessible, with ramps and facilities for wheelchair users. Contact camara.geral@cm-seixal.pt for specific accommodations. The festival’s community focus includes free events, making it inclusive for diverse audiences, though no specific children’s programs are listed for 2025.

Getting There

• Airports: Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) is 15 miles away (30-minute drive).
• Public Transport: Fertagus trains from Lisbon (Roma-Areeiro or Sete Rios) to Seixal take 20-30 minutes. TST buses connect Lisbon to Seixal (Line 139). The Seixal Nautical Station offers river access via ferry from Lisbon’s Terreiro do Paço (15 minutes). Check fertagus.pt or tst.pt for schedules.
• Driving: Via A2 or IC21 from Lisbon; parking available near Fórum Cultural (limited in the historic center). Use lots at Alameda dos Bombeiros Voluntários.
• Recommendations: Stay in Seixal or nearby Amora for walkable access. Book transport via cp.pt or carrismundial.pt.

Economic Impact

Seixal Jazz attracts over 5,000 visitors, boosting local businesses, including restaurants, cafes, and hotels along the Seixal Bay. The festival, supported by the Seixal City Council, promotes tourism and cultural development, leveraging the region’s proximity to Lisbon and its National Ecological Reserve status. Free concerts and municipal services enhance accessibility, contributing to economic and social vitality.

Environmental Connection

Set against the Seixal Bay, a National Ecological Reserve, the festival aligns with municipal efforts to preserve the Tagus River estuary’s biodiversity. The bay’s wetlands, home to migratory birds like flamingos and herons, are supported by conservation projects with the Hydrographic Institute and University of Lisbon. Venues promote eco-friendly practices, and the festival encourages public transport to reduce environmental impact.

Additional Cultural Attractions

Visitors can explore the Manuel Cargaleiro Arts Workshop at Quinta da Fidalga, designed by Siza Vieira, featuring contemporary art exhibitions and educational programs. The Corroios Tidal Mill, a 15th-century landmark, and the Roman Pottery of Quinta do Rouxinol offer historical insights. Seixal’s riverfront, with recreational boating and scenic trails, complements the festival experience, blending music with heritage tourism.