Swanage Jazz Festival JULY 2024

🗓️ Friday 12th – Sunday 14th July 2024

Swanage’s annual jazz festival is a firm favourite in the town’s busy events calendar, returning each year with over 40 bands performing live across three days.

From free fringe outdoor concerts and performances in local pubs & hotels, to main ticketed events at venues including Swanage’s Mowlem Theatre, the town comes alive with the sound of jazz.

  • Sax and keyboard player from Not Just Sax at Swanage's Jazz Festival
    Not-Just-Sax
  • Phoenix Rock N Roll at Swanage Jazz Festival
    Phoenix Rock N Roll
  • Soldoro Band saxophonist & bassist
    Soldoro Band playing in the marquee
  • Arun Ghosh playing the clarinet
    Arun Ghosh at The Mowlem

Typically, there are daytime and evening performances from both local and national musicians, with a parade along Shore Road on the Saturday and a grand festival finale on the Sunday.

Headline Acts

There were 45 bands at 2023’s festival. Headline names included:

  • The James Taylor Quartet
  • The Claire Martin and her Trio
  • Alina Bzhezinska’s Hip Harp Collective with Vimala Rowe
  • Zara McFarlane sings Sarah Vaughan
  • Tony Kofi’s Inside Straight
  • The Dan Mar Molinero Jazz Orchestra
  • Alyn Shipton’s New Orleans Friends
  • Chris Hodgkin’s Salute to Humphrey Lyttelton

The Festival also features a Festival Fringe with loads more great bands to see completely free.

Arun Ghosh and his band on stage at The Mowlem Theatre
Arun Ghosh introducing his band at The Mowlem
Audience in the Swanage Jazz Festival marquee
Festival marquee
Sax and keyboard player from Not Just Sax at Swanage's Jazz Festival
Not-Just-Sax
James Emmet's Ragtime Revellers performing on Swanage prom
James Emmet’s Ragtime Revellers
Hattie Brown's Beer tent
Grab a pint of local beer
The Nigel Price & Alessio Menconi Quartet
Nigel Price & Alessio Menconi Quartet

Ticket information

  • Weekend Stroller (Fri – Sun) – ÂŁ130
  • Friday Stroller – ÂŁ40
  • Day Stroller (Saturday or Sunday) – ÂŁ80
  • Single ticket concerts (limited number) – ÂŁ20

(prices correct for July 2023)

(Note that single concert tickets are cash-only, on-the-door tickets, subject to venue capacity)

Discounts: BH19 residents can get a 10% discount on their tickets – available from Swanage Tourist Information Centre on Shore Road.

For full festival information and snapshots of past performances visit the Swanage Jazz Festival website, where you can also buy tickets when they are released.

Swanage Jazz Festival collection bucket

Volunteer – and visit for free!

Volunteers are always welcome at Swanage Jazz Festival, with the excellent added bonus of enjoying free entry to all venues, capacity allowing.

Volunteer steward t-shirt at Swanage Jazz Festival
Volunteer with Swanage Jazz Festival

Duties are straightforward, with no experience necessary – you simply need to be a presence on the door and check wristbands.

Volunteering at the jazz festival’s a social affair, so expect to meet some great new people and enjoy an end-of-festival BBQ to round the weekend off.

Find further information including contact details visit the festival’s volunteering page: swanagejazzfestival.co.uk/volunteers/