Chicago City Wire

The City of Chicago has been chosen as the host city for UNESCO's International Jazz Day 2026. This global event, announced by UNESCO and the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, will take place on April 30, 2026. It aims to celebrate jazz music and its ability to unite communities worldwide while highlighting Chicago's significant contributions to jazz, blues, and global music culture.

Since its inception in 2012, International Jazz Day has been celebrated in various cities across the globe, including Paris, Havana, Sydney, and St. Petersburg. The selection of Chicago coincides with several important anniversaries: the United States' 250th anniversary, Miles Davis' 100th birthday, and the anticipated opening of the Obama Presidential Center on Chicago’s South Side.

Mayor Brandon Johnson expressed pride in hosting the event: "Chicago is the birthplace of modern jazz innovation—a city where legends like Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole, and Dinah Washington helped redefine what music could be." He added that hosting International Jazz Day reaffirms Chicago's status as a cultural capital.

DCASE Commissioner Clinée Hedspeth emphasized that this event is more than just a concert: "International Jazz Day 2026 will honor our rich past and set the stage for a bold creative future." She noted that this achievement results from strategic planning and collaboration among cultural organizations in Chicago.

The celebration is organized by the Chicago Jazz Alliance in partnership with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) and supported by various cultural, civic, and educational partners. These include The Auditorium Theatre, Chicago Park District, Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association, Choose Chicago, Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago, The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center among others.

A highlight of International Jazz Day 2026 will be an All-Star Global Concert led by Herbie Hancock. This concert will be broadcasted in 190 countries. Leading up to it will be a week filled with educational programs aimed at community outreach and youth engagement throughout Chicago neighborhoods.

For more information about International Jazz Day 2026 events in Chicago visit https://jazzday.com or check updates on Chicago.gov/DCASE.