Cairo Jazz Festival Returns for 18th Edition in November
The Cairo Jazz Festival will run from November 5 to 7, 2026, at the American University in Cairo's Tahrir Square campus. Day tickets start at about US$9.60, with a full pass around US$19.10. The event features two stages, workshops, talks, and children's programming.
The Cairo Jazz Festival traces its start to 2009 and is presenting its 18th edition in 2026. Pianist-composer Amro Salah founded it; one report said the first gathering attracted roughly 2,000 attendees. Organizers say the event seeks to present jazz as cultural expression and lived experience, not merely a genre.
This year’s program spans two campus stages, with performances by artists from Denmark, Malta, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, Egypt, Switzerland and Algeria. It also includes workshops, talks, jam sessions, late club shows and children’s activities. The European Union and EUNIC are listed among partners, alongside embassy and cultural-center support.
The festival may broaden Cairo’s live-music audience by bringing international and regional acts to a central campus, potentially benefiting local musicians, students, venue workers, and nearby businesses. Affordable day passes could make jazz more accessible, while workshops and children’s programming may encourage younger listeners and amateur players. Because the campus requires photo ID and foreign visitors need visas, some potential attendees could face barriers, so the event’s social reach may remain uneven.