Manly Jazz 2026 is back, and Manly is about to find its rhythm again. From 18 to 20 September, Australia’s longest-running jazz festival will spread across more than 95 acts, four stages and 12-plus official venues in and around the village.
It is a big weekend, but it still feels local. That is the appeal. You can hear music on the street, in pubs, in a gallery and inside community spaces. Then, before you know it, you are moving with the crowd from one set to the next.
The Corso sets the pace
Bucketty’s Jazz Garden will again bring music, food and drinks to The Corso. It starts on Friday night and runs right through the weekend. That gives the festival a clear social hub and an easy place to settle in.
Elsewhere, the official venues add their own character. The Ivanhoe Hotel and Hotel Steyne will both run live entertainment across the weekend. Donny’s Bar will keep things loose with jazz-forward acoustic sets. Henry G’s Wine Parlour will feature a pianist each night, while Manly Library will host an open mic night on Friday.
Manly Art Gallery & Museum will also play its part. On Saturday night, it will host a ticketed double bill with the Hilary Geddes Quartet and Murmurations. That show brings two strong Sydney jazz voices into one room.
Community stages keep the festival grounded
The festival is not only about bars and late-night sets. St Matthews Manly will showcase school and community bands on Saturday. That keeps the program connected to the next generation of players.
Then Sunday shifts into gospel jazz. Manly Presbyterian Church will host its service in the morning, while St Matthews will hold services at 10am and 5.30pm. It is a familiar part of the festival now, and it gives the weekend a strong community edge.
There is also plenty happening in between. The official venues stretch the music across Manly, so you do not need to stay in one spot for long. That loose, wandering feel is part of what makes the event work.
A few practical bits for the weekend
The festival is free and non-ticketed. You can bring food and non-alcoholic drinks, too. Just note that it is a glass-free event.
Dogs and pets are allowed across the site, but they must stay on a lead. They are not permitted in Bucketty’s Jazz Garden. Assistance animals are welcome.
Parking will be limited at busy times, and a road closure will be in place along North and South Steyne, from Raglan Street to Wentworth Street, from 4pm on Friday 18 September until 11.59pm on Sunday 20 September. Water stations will also be available, and prams are welcome in the Manly CBD event area.
In the end, Manly Jazz 2026 looks set to do what it always does best. It gives Manly a weekend soundtrack, pulls people out onto the streets and turns the town into a place worth lingering in.
Published 8-September-2026
