The globally renowned Montreux Jazz Festival makes its historic African debut this March with the inaugural Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek (27–29 March 2026), presented by Nedbank. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Cape Winelands, the boutique, hospitality-led festival promises a world-class programme across two key performance hubs: The Arches Main Stage and the intimate Jazz Village in Franschhoek’s historic church.
Blending international icons, pioneering African voices and genre-defying innovators, the festival delivers a powerful cultural exchange rooted in deep listening and artistic excellence. Festival founder Mark Goedvolk describes it as a reimagining of the legendary platform through an African lens — intimate, meaningful and globally resonant.
The Arches Main Stage Highlights
Friday features The Kesivan amaBig Band Experience alongside Brother Kujenga, UK pop legends Wet Wet Wet and Irish art-pop innovator Róisín Murphy.
Saturday raises the tempo with The Ploemies and Friends, Billy Monama’s Guitar Convergence, Mandisi Dyantyis, Salif Keita, and South African icon Thandiswa Mazwai. Mercury Prize-winning UK sensation Ezra Collective adds explosive energy, while jazz visionary Robert Glasper joins forces with neo-soul powerhouse Bilal for a landmark collaboration.
Jazz Village Intimacy
The Jazz Village programme offers refined and reflective moments, including Grammy-nominated vocalist Stacey Kent and a Miles Davis centenary celebration, A Kind of Blue, honouring the legacy of Miles Davis with an all-star US ensemble.
The festival concludes on Sunday with a relaxed “Sunday Slowdown” along the Montreux Mile, celebrating Franschhoek’s celebrated food, wine and music culture.
As the first African edition of this legendary festival, Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek positions itself as a premium, limited-capacity experience — placing African artistry firmly at the centre of a global cultural conversation.
