Today, Jazz at Lincoln Center announced plans for the 2026 Jazz Congress and the 3rd Annual Unity Jazz Festival—two premier events created to unite and celebrate the global jazz community, from fans and musicians to educators and industry leaders. Events take place at Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center, located at Broadway at 60th Street, New York, New York.
Jazz at Lincoln Center also announced Jazz Congress attendees are eligible for discounted Unity Jazz Festival tickets. This year, enjoy 20% off Unity Jazz Festival tickets when purchasing a Jazz Congress pass. To receive the discount, click the add-on at the top of your cart during checkout at jazzcongress.org.
Jazz Congress, the sixth edition of the unique conference which brings together members of the global jazz community to nurture the bond between artists, media professionals, and industry leaders, will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, and Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. Early bird registration opens on August 5, 2025. More information can be found on jazzcongress.org.
Funding for Jazz Congress is provided by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.
The Unity Jazz Festival features an exciting new lineup of acclaimed acts and emerging artists performing throughout Jazz at Lincoln Center on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, and Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. The 2026 festival line up, a showcase of intergenerational and multicultural talent, will be announced soon.
Unity Jazz Festival passes are $87.00 for each day and available now on jazz.org/unity.
“Since launching Jazz Congress in 2018, we’ve been inspired by the growth of this conference and the meaningful connections and work we achieve together,” said Georgina Javor, Jazz at Lincoln Center Vice President, Concerts & Touring. “In 2024, we launched the Unity Jazz Festival to further support both musicians and fans. Bringing our community together in the House of Swing has been an industry-wide effort. We look forward to the 2026 editions of these events, where we will welcome leading figures of our music and introduce audiences to exciting emerging talent.”
Jazz Congress panels and sessions will explore new topics including “Stronger Together: Increasing understanding and collaborations between Europe and the U.S.,” presented in collaboration with European Jazz Network and CNM – Centre National de la Musique); “It’s Complicated: Presenting Jazz & Education in Cuba; “Setting Up a Tour, presented by Midwest Jazz Collective;” “The Impact of AI & Technology;” and popular workshops including “Jukebox Jury,” and “Ask Us Anything.” The full slate of panels, workshops, keynote address, awards, and other conference events will be announced shortly.
Jazz Congress Registration Rates and Deadlines:
Jazz Congress – 2 Day Pass
Jazz Congress Registration
$140 August 5 to September 16
$175 September 17 to November 18
$200 November 19 to December 31
$250 January 1 onward (including walkup day of sales)
Student
$60
Jazz Congress – 1 Day Pass – Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Jazz Congress Registration
$125 September 17 to November 18
$150 November 19 to December 31
$175 January 1 onward (including walkup day of sales)
Student
$60 – September 17 onward (including walk up day of sales)
Jazz Congress – 1 Day Pass – Thursday, January 8, 2026
Jazz Congress Registration
$125 September 17 to November 18
$150 November 19 to December 31
$175 January 1 onward (including walkup day of sales)
Student
$60 – September 17 onward (including walk up day of sales)
For registration inquiries, including student registration rates, contact Customer Service by emailing [email protected] or calling 212.258.9800.
Exclusively for Jazz Congress attendees, the Empire Hotel, located at 44 W. 63rd Street in New York, New York, extends special lodging rates. Please click here to access the rate which expires on November 28, 2025.
The Jazz Congress Advisory Board includes Gene Dobbs Bradford, Terri Lyne Carrington, Chanel Enriquez, Stefon Harris, Karen Kennedy, Don Lucoff, Riley Mulherkar, Katie Simon, Denny Stilwell, and Helen Sung.