2026 Programme
Thursday 22nd
Thu 22 Oct, 1:00pm
Other (Public)
Junior Jazz Jam
Young jazz groups star in Christchurch’s annual Junior Jazz Jam adjudicated by Scott Taitoko from Õtautahi’s Ara tertiary jazz programme.
Tūranga
Free
Thu 22 Oct, 6:00pm
Free Gig
Get the Party Started
Christchurch Youth Jazz Orchestra and the powerhouse All Girl Big Band!
Fat Eddies
Free
Friday 23rd
Fri 23 Oct, 11:30am
Free Gig
Bands at Riverside Market
Spend Friday, Saturday and Sunday surrounded by great music, great food and the vibrant atmosphere of Riverside Market
Riverside Market
Free
Fri 23 Oct, 12:00pm
Free Gig
Bands at Tūranga
Bring your lunchtime to life with the sounds of Christchurch’s talented secondary school big bands!
Tūranga
Free
Fri 23 Oct, 4:00pm
Free Gig
Fri 23 Oct, 6:00pm
Ticketed Event
TNT! at The Piano
TNT! – Where Big Band Meets Te Ao Māori at The Piano
The Piano
$29/$45+booking fee
Fri 23 Oct, 7:00pm
Free Gig
Meet, Greet and Hot Seat Jam at A Rolling Stone
Start your Christchurch Big Band Jazz Festival weekend at A Rolling Stone with an evening of music, food and good company.
A Rolling Stone
Free
Fri 23 Oct, 8:00pm
Ticketed Event
Partners in Swing at Altiora
Step onto the dance floor and experience the shared joy of swing at this unique collaboration between The Christchurch Big Band Jazz Festival and the Swing Dance Community.
Altiora
$20/$25 + booking fee
Saturday 24th
Sat 24 Oct, 10:00am
Workshop
Improvisation Workshop with Lana Law
Join Lana Law for a fun, relaxed and practical workshop exploring the world of improvisation. Suitable for all ages and abilities.
The Piano
$17.50/$22.50 + booking fee
Sat 24 Oct, 10:00am
Free Gig
Bands at Altiora
Head to Altiora for a fantastic lineup of big bands as part of the Christchurch Big Band Jazz Festival.
Altiora
Free
Sat 24 Oct, 10:30am
Ticketed Event
Big Band Beats for Little Feet
Bring your tamariki to Tūranga to experience Ōtautahi's Sideline Swing!
Tūranga
Free
Sat 24 Oct, 10:30am
Workshop
Vocal Workshop with Erna Ferry
Build confidence and stage presence with practical tips on microphone technique, audience connection and band introductions with Erna Ferry.
The Piano
$17.50/$22.50 + booking fee
Sat 24 Oct, 11:00am
Workshop
All-In Big Band Jazz Workshop
Experience the thrill of playing with a full big band under the direction of Lana Law, Musical Director of the All Girl Big Band.
The Piano
$17.50/$22.50 + booking fee
Sat 24 Oct, 11:00am
Free Gig
Bands at Riverside Market
Spend Friday, Saturday and Sunday surrounded by great music, great food and the vibrant atmosphere of Riverside Market
Riverside Market
Free
Sat 24 Oct, 12:00pm
Free Gig
Saturday Bands at A Rolling Stone
Here’s your chance to hear two great bands at A Rolling Stone as part of the Christchurch Big Band Jazz Festival.
A Rolling Stone
Free
Sat 24 Oct, 12:30pm
Free Gig
Sat 24 Oct, 1:30pm
Free Gig
Jazz Parade
Get ready for one of the highlights of the Christchurch Big Band Jazz Festival!
Free
Sat 24 Oct, 5:00pm
Ticketed Event
Dan Costa and The Bill Martin Big Band
A unique artistic collaboration between internationally acclaimed Latin jazz pianist and composer Dan Costa and Dunedin-based musical director Bill Martin
The Piano
$25/$40 + booking fee
Sat 24 Oct, 7:30pm
Ticketed Event
Big Band Birthday Bash – Celebrating 20 Years
Join us for a spectacular evening as we celebrate 20 years of the Christchurch Big Band Jazz Festival.
Isaac Theatre Royal
$21-$58
Sunday 25th
Sun 25 Oct, 9:30am
Workshop
Brazilian Jazz and Big Band – a workshop with Dan Costa
Join internationally acclaimed pianist and composer Dan Costa for an engaging exploration of Brazilian music and its connections with jazz.
ARA Music Arts
$17.50/$22.50 + booking fee
Sun 25 Oct, 10:30am
Free Gig
Te Whare Tapere Performing Arts Precinct Open Day
Join us for some impromptu Big Band Jazz as part of the Te Whare Tapere Performing Arts Precinct Open Day. Venues include The Piano, Isaac Theatre Royal, Court Theatre Foyer and TSB Sapce at Tūranga.
The Piano
Free
Sun 25 Oct, 11:00am
Free Gig
Bands at Riverside Market
Spend Friday, Saturday and Sunday surrounded by great music, great food and the vibrant atmosphere of Riverside Market
Riverside Market
Free
Sun 25 Oct, 11:00am
Free Gig
Te Whare Tapere Performing Arts Precinct Open Day
Join us for some impromptu Big Band Jazz as part of the Te Whare Tapere Performing Arts Precinct Open Day. Venues include The Piano, Isaac Theatre Royal, Court Theatre Foyer and TSB Sapce at Tūranga.
The Court Theatre Foyer
Free
Sun 25 Oct, 11:00am
Free Gig
Te Whare Tapere Performing Arts Precinct Open Day
Join us for some impromptu Big Band Jazz as part of the Te Whare Tapere Performing Arts Precinct Open Day. Venues include The Piano, Isaac Theatre Royal, Court Theatre Foyer and TSB Sapce at Tūranga.
Tūranga
Free
Sun 25 Oct, 12:15pm
Free Gig
Te Whare Tapere Performing Arts Precinct Open Day
Join us for some impromptu Big Band Jazz as part of the Te Whare Tapere Performing Arts Precinct Open Day. Venues include The Piano, Isaac Theatre Royal, Court Theatre Foyer and TSB Sapce at Tūranga.
Isaac Theatre Royal
Free
Sun 25 Oct, 12:30pm
Free Gig
Sun 25 Oct, 7:30pm
Ticketed Event
The Big Band Ball
A night of dancing, dazzling performances and unforgettable festival magic
Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū
$30/$49+booking fee
Monday 26th
Mon 26 Oct, 10:00am
Free Gig
Big Band Picnic on the Archery Lawn
Round out the Christchurch Big Band Jazz Festival with a fantastic day of live music, great food and good company at our Big Band Picnic on the Archery Lawn. In the event of bad weather the party will move indoors to The Church and Rolling Stone.
Archery Lawn Botanic Gardens
Free