Breda Jazz Festival 2027 – Netherlands

Overview

The Breda Jazz Festival has been an annual four-day jazz event in Breda city center since 1971. It is one of the oldest and most famous jazz festivals in the Netherlands and in its kind the oldest and largest jazz festival of the Netherlands and Europe. The festival lasts four days and always starts on Ascension Day at 1:00 PM on the Grote Markt.

Approximately 250,000 visitors come annually. They come not only from the region of Breda, but from all parts of Europe and even beyond. The city center is transformed into a festival terrain with about 20 outdoor stages, all within walking distance in the historic center.

The Breda Jazz Festival features traditional jazz styles and related music genres such as blues, zydeco, cajun, Western Swing and jump-n-jive. From classical to blues, from jazz to rock, from flamenco to pop, the festival is unique in its kind. It started in 1971 as Old Style Jazz Festival and focused on jazz music before 1940. Nowadays all kinds of styles of jazz can be heard during the festival.

The vast majority of concerts are free to attend, but for a number of special indoor concerts you will need tickets. This makes it the oldest and largest freely accessible jazz festival in Europe.

What Makes This Event Special

Historic and largest in Europe: The festival is described as het oudste en grootste vierdaagse jazzfestival van Nederland en Europa. Since 1971, it has grown without losing its community character.

Free outdoor stages: During the Breda Jazz Festival, you can attend over 200 concerts, most of which are free to enter. The performances are free if you attend an outdoor concert. Only a few indoor concerts require tickets, which keeps the festival accessible to everyone.

City-wide festival: All stages are located in the city centre. From Grote Markt, the main square, to Valkenberg Park, Haven, Kerkplein and Veemarktstraat, the entire historic center becomes the festival site. You can walk from stage to stage in minutes.

Ascension Day tradition: The festival always starts on Ascension Day at 13:00 at Grote Markt. This fixed tradition means locals say if you say Hemelvaart in Breda, you mean Jazz Festival. After more than fifty editions, it is inseparable from Breda.

Volunteer and community driven: With nearly 500 volunteers, local sponsors and friends who donate, the festival is supported by the city. The organization encourages donations via QR code with a gift suggestion of 3 euros, which can be adjusted.

Youth focus: Recent editions have put youth as focal point, with Brabant Youth Jazz Orchestra, Breda school bands, and conservatory students performing at venues like Spanjaardsgat, Kerkplein and Stedelijk Museum Breda.

Lineup / Featured Artists

The festival books more than 200 acts across four days, ranging from New Orleans traditional jazz to modern jazz, blues, soul and world music.

Style range includes:

• Traditional jazz, Dixieland and Old Style
• Blues, zydeco, cajun, Western Swing and jump-n-jive
• Modern jazz, bebop, fusion and contemporary
• Soul, funk, gospel and brass bands

Past and recent names include:

• Paradox Jazz Orchestra with programs like Remembering the Skymasters
• Dan Barrett opening session
• International brass bands, gospel choirs and street parade bands that play on the Grote Markt
• Local Breda favorites and school bands that perform on Kerkplein

2026 reference program included:

• Paradox Jazz Orchestra at De Avenue, Waterstraat 5
• Breda Jazz Festival at Grote Kerk, Haven and Valkenberg Park
• Youth and conservatory stages

For 2027, expect a similar structure: around 20 outdoor stages with free access, plus 10 to 15 indoor ticketed concerts in venues like De Avenue, Grote Kerk, Mezz and Chassé Theater. The biggest stage remains at Grote Markt, where the opening at 1:00 PM features a parade and collective opening.

The lineup is released gradually via bredajazzfestival.nl and Explore Breda channels, with PR highlighting favorite free concerts each year.

Event Experience

The experience is that of a city festival rather than a field festival.

Outdoor stages: Most stages are outdoors in squares and parks. You can sit at a terrace at De Colonie on Grote Markt, which is in a historic building shared with Hotel De Klok, and listen to jazz for free. Stages are placed to allow terrace seating and street dancing.

Indoor concerts: For a number of special indoor concerts you will need tickets. These are typically intimate shows with renowned jazz orchestras, vocalists and international guests in venues like De Avenue and the Grote Kerk.

Street parade and dance: Brass bands march through the city center, with swing dancers and Lindy Hop groups joining. The atmosphere is festive with people dancing in the streets.

Family friendly: Daytime programming includes youth orchestras, school bands and accessible jazz that appeals to all ages. Evening programming leans more toward swing, blues and late-night jam sessions.

No fences: Since most concerts are free and in public space, there are no gates or wristbands for outdoor stages. You can come and go as you please, which is rare for a festival of this size.

Date & Schedule

Event Dates:
Breda Jazz Festival 2027 will take place from May 6–9, 2027. The 55th edition is scheduled from Thu, 06 May, 2027 at 01:00 pm to Sun, 09 May, 2027 at 08:00 pm at Grote Markt, Breda, Netherlands. The festival always begins on Ascension Day at 13:00 at Grote Markt.

Schedule:
Based on the long-standing tradition:

• Thursday: Opening at 1:00 PM on Grote Markt with parade and opening session. Programming runs from 1:00 PM to 11:00 PM across outdoor stages, plus indoor evening concerts from 8:30 PM to 11:00 PM.
• Friday: Day program from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Breda school bands often play from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM at Kerkplein, with main stages active from early afternoon.
• Saturday: Busiest day alongside Thursday, with full programming from 11:00 AM to 11:30 PM across all 20 outdoor stages and indoor venues.
• Sunday: Closing day from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM, with final notes played on Sunday evening. Activities include youth orchestras like Brabant Youth Jazz Orchestra from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM at Spanjaardsgat and gospel concerts.

Conservatory students perform every day at Stedelijk Museum Breda. Full schedule is published via bredajazzfestival.nl and Explore Breda in April.

Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.

Location & Venue

Venue: City center of Breda, Netherlands. Main location is Grote Markt, Breda, with stages throughout the historic center.

Stage areas include:

• Grote Markt: Main stage, south and north sides, biggest crowds
• Valkenberg Park: Park stage near T-House, atmospheric surroundings
• Haven: Harbor stage with water backdrop
• Kerkplein: Church square for school bands and youth orchestras
• Veemarktstraat: MVGM podium and smaller stages
• De Avenue, Waterstraat 5: Indoor ticketed venue for Paradox Jazz Orchestra and special concerts
• Grote Kerk: Church venue for gospel and special concerts
• Spanjaardsgat: Youth and brass band stage

Address for main square: Grote Markt, 4811 Breda, Netherlands

Venue details: All outdoor venues are within walking distance in the shop area. The city center is closed to car traffic during the festival, creating a pedestrian festival zone. The Leonardo Hotel Breda City Center is located near Breda Central Station, a short walk from Grote Markt, illustrating the compactness.

Event History

The festival started in 1971 as Old Style Jazz Festival and focused on jazz music before 1940. The stage stood in the middle of the Grote Markt grand square during the early Old Style Jazz Festival.

Over the 1970s and 1980s, it expanded from a single square to multiple squares and added related genres like blues, zydeco and swing. The foundation Stichting Breda Jazz Festival was established, with contact at Postbus 4929, 4803 EX Breda.

In the 1990s and 2000s, the festival grew to around 175 concerts on 16 locations, with almost all concerts free. The 44th edition took place from 29 May 2014 through 1 June 2014 at various venues.

By the 2010s, it was recognized as the largest and oldest musical gathering in the Netherlands and Europe, lasting four days and always starting on Ascension Day.

Recent editions:

• 2022 opening session with Dan Barrett on 26 May 2022
• 2024 and 2025 editions held in May, with gospel concerts, school band programs and international guests
• 54th edition scheduled for 14 to 17 May 2026 at Grote Markt, Breda
• 55th edition scheduled for 2027, continuing the tradition

The festival has always been free for outdoor stages, supported by sponsors, volunteers and donations.

Getting to the Event

By train: Breda Centraal Station is a 10-minute walk to Grote Markt. From Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht or Eindhoven, take intercity to Breda. From Antwerp and Brussels, direct international trains run to Breda.

By bus: City buses stop at Centrum and Grote Markt stops. During the festival, some stops are rerouted, but shuttle information is posted on the festival site.

By car: Breda is near A27 and A16 motorways. Parking garages like De Prins, Het Turfschip, Chassé and Mols are within walking distance of the stages. Parking in the city center is limited and paid; P+R Breda Noord with bus connection is recommended.

By bike: Breda is bike-friendly with supervised bike parking at several points around the center, including near Valkenberg Park and Grote Markt.

On foot: The entire festival is walkable. All stages are within walking distance of the shops, making it easy to combine shopping, dining and concerts.

Where to Stay Nearby

Breda is a popular city break destination, so book early for the Ascension weekend.

Hotels close to Grote Markt:

• Hotel De Klok at Grote Markt 26-28, sharing a historic building with De Colonie restaurant
• Hotel Sutor at Catharinastraat 2, 4811 XH Breda, 0.2 km from Grote Markt, noted by guests as stayed here for the jazz festival and was well pleased
• Leonardo Hotel Breda City Center near Central Station, short walk to Grote Markt
• Hotel Nassau Breda, which also hosts outdoor concerts at Franciscanessenplein

Other options:

• Boutique B&Bs in the historic center
• Apartments and vacation rentals in the city
• Hotels near Breda Station for easy train access

Price indication: Hotels in Breda during festival weekend typically range from $90 to $220 per night depending on category. The busiest days are Thursday opening and Saturday, so consider staying through Sunday for better availability.

Things to Do Before or After the Event

Explore Breda: Walk the historic city center, visit Breda Castle, Spanjaardsgat water gate and Valkenberg Park.

Museums: Stedelijk Museum Breda hosts conservatory concerts during the festival and exhibitions year-round.

Shopping: The festival takes place within walking distance of shops in Houtmarkt and city center. The T-House area near Valkenberg Park offers cafes and boutiques.

Food tour: Breda is known for its culinary scene, with many terraces on Grote Markt and Haven.

Day trips: Take a bike to Mastbos forest, or visit nearby cities like Antwerp, Rotterdam or Tilburg, all within one hour.

Restaurants & Dining Nearby

On Grote Markt:

• De Colonie at Grote Markt 26-28, historic building with terrace dining during jazz
• Many other cafes and restaurants around the square offer outdoor seating with stage views

In city center:

• Restaurants in Houtmarkt area near Valkenberg Park stage
• Harbor restaurants at Haven with water views
• International options including Italian, Indonesian, French and modern Dutch

Festival food: Street food stalls are present during the festival, plus regular restaurant service. Since most stages are free, you can eat at your favorite restaurant and still hear music.

Ticket Information

The Breda Jazz Festival is predominantly free.

Based on official information and previous editions, converted to USD:

• Outdoor concerts: $0. Over 200 concerts across about 20 outdoor stages are free to enter. The performances are free if you attend an outdoor concert.
• Indoor special concerts: $15 to $26. For example, Paradox Jazz Orchestra – Remembering the Skymasters at De Avenue was listed at €20.00, which converts to approximately $22 USD.
• Gospel concerts in Grote Kerk: $10 to $20 where ticketed, many free
• Donation suggestion: $3.25. Direct and easy donation via QR code or link, with gift suggestion of €3.00 that can be adjusted. Scanning with trusted BankApp, Tikkie or generic QR scanner, fast and safe via iDEAL.

Where to buy indoor tickets:

• Via bredajazzfestival.nl and venue box offices like De Avenue, Mezz and Chassé Theater
• At the door if not sold out

No weekend pass needed: Since most of the festival is free, no wristband is required for outdoor stages.

Tips Before You Go

Arrive early for opening: The opening at 1:00 PM on Grote Markt on Ascension Day draws large crowds. Arrive by 12:00 PM to get a good terrace or standing spot.

Check busiest days: The opening day Thursday and Saturday are the busiest days of the Jazz Festival. If you prefer quieter exploration, visit Friday and Sunday.

Bike and parking: Use bike parking or P+R. Parking in the center is scarce during the festival.

Bring ear protection for indoor shows: Indoor venues can be loud, especially brass bands.

Support the festival: Consider donating via the QR code or link, becoming a friend or volunteering. Without sponsors and donations, organizing the free festival would be impossible.

Official Event Information

Official website: https://www.bredajazzfestival.nl/
Email: info@bredajazzfestival.nl
Phone: +31 6 22327485
Address: Stichting Breda Jazz Festival, Postbus 4929, 4803 EX Breda
Location: Grote Markt, Breda, Netherlands and surrounding city center stages
Founded: 1971

For questions about bike or car parking, how to register as a musician or about staying in Breda, the website has an extensive FAQ and contact form.

Attendee Experiences

Visitors describe the festival as taking over the squares and streets in spring with most of it free, creating a city-wide party atmosphere.

Hotel reviews often mention stayed here for the jazz festival and was well pleased, highlighting the convenience of staying near Grote Markt.

The atmosphere is described as gezellig, with people dancing in the streets, brass bands marching, and terraces full. Many visitors come annually with friends and family, treating Ascension weekend as a fixed reunion.

Musicians appreciate the intimate indoor venues and the enthusiastic outdoor crowds. The youth programs are praised for giving school bands and conservatory students a professional stage alongside international acts.