London's jazz festival brings headline concerts at the Barbican, including a tribute to John Coltrane, alongside hundreds of gigs across more than 60 venues.
The EFG London Jazz Festival returns for its 34th year, running from Friday 13 to Sunday 22 November 2026. It's produced by Serious and title-sponsored by EFG, and it's one of those festivals that takes over the city rather than staying in one spot. While the Barbican Centre is the main hub, the programme spreads across more than 60 venues across London, with headline concerts, intimate club dates, new commissions and community events. The Jazz Social is back as the festival's hangout at City Point, just a short walk from the Barbican, with live performances, one-off events, radio broadcasts and family-friendly activities. The festival also spotlights the city's iconic jazz rooms, from Ronnie Scott's to the Soho venues.
At the Barbican, the headline shows start on opening night, Friday 13 November, with John Coltrane 100, featuring Joe Lovano, Melissa Aldana, Nduduzo Makhathini, Linda May Han Oh and Jeff 'Tain' Watts. On Sunday 15 November, Anouar Brahem performs After the Last Sky with Anja Lechner, Django Bates and Mats Eilertsen. For something different, the Barbican Family Film Club hosts Hubley Hash + Music with trumpeter Olivia Cuttill on Saturday 21 November. The festival is billed as London's finest jazz festival, bringing musicians from around the world to the capital and covering today's greats, new discoveries and the genre's rich legacy.
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If you're on the younger end of the jazz-going crowd, there's a Serious Youth Network membership that gives 16-25 year olds £5 tickets to Serious shows. Tickets for the Barbican Hall headline shows start from £32.50 plus booking fee, while the FreeStage performances in the Barbican's Level G foyers are free to attend.
