Jazztopad Festival returns to Wroclaw’s Narodowe Forum Muzyki (National Forum of Music) from 13 to 22 November 2026. One of the most significant jazz festivals in Central Europe, Jazztopad has run for over two decades and consistently brings international artists to Wroclaw for a 10-day programme of performances, commissions, and premieres.
What’s in the 2026 programme
The 2026 edition includes a European premiere of a new opera co-created by Wayne Shorter and Esperanza Spalding, one of the most anticipated new works in jazz composition. The festival also features a commission from South African pianist and composer Nduduzo Makhathini, performed with the Lutosławski Quartet, alongside sets from Korean improviser DoYeon Kim, the group SUTARInova, guitarist Raphael Rogiński, and the duo of Sissel Vera Pettersen and Meredith Bates.
The full programme spans 10 days across multiple stages at the National Forum of Music, with some events also taking place at smaller Wroclaw venues.
Getting to Wroclaw for Jazztopad
Wroclaw Airport (WRO) has direct connections from London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Paris, and most major Polish cities. From Warsaw, the train journey is approximately three to four hours on PKP Intercity services; from Krakow, it takes around three and a half hours. Budget airlines including Wizz Air and Ryanair serve Wroclaw from multiple UK and European airports.
The Narodowe Forum Muzyki is centrally located, a 10-minute walk from the Old Town market square (Rynek) and around 25 minutes from Wroclaw Central Station on foot or a short tram ride.
Planning your visit
November is low season in Wroclaw, which means accommodation rates are lower and the city’s restaurants and cafes are far less crowded than in summer. Temperatures average 2–8°C, so pack layers. The Old Town, Cathedral Island (Ostrow Tumski), and the Racławice Panorama are all within easy walking distance of the festival venue.
Tickets for individual Jazztopad concerts are available through the National Forum of Music box office and website. Festival passes for multiple nights offer better value for those travelling specifically for the event.
Our Wroclaw guide covers the city’s accommodation options, the best districts to stay in, and what to do beyond the concert hall.