North Sea Jazz Festival25K
Per day
1976
since
~52
Editions
Overview
About
Founded in 1976 in The Hague by promoter Paul Acket, the North Sea Jazz Festival now takes place in Rotterdam at the Ahoy arena, held every year on the second weekend of July. Despite its name, the lineup ranges well beyond jazz into blues, soul, funk, hip hop and R&B across some fifteen stages. With more than a thousand musicians and around 150 performances, it retains an intimate feel even as attendance nears 90,000 visitors.
On site
Practical info
Venue type
- Indoor & open air
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
Kids & family
- Family friendly
Transport
- Parking
- Shuttle service
- Bike parking
Getting there
Location
Rotterdam Ahoy, Ahoyweg 10, 3084 BA Rotterdam, Pays-Bas
Get directionsArchive
Past editions
2026Jul 10–12, 202680+ artists
Bilal
Bill Frisell
Bugge Wesseltoft
Amaro Freitas
Maria Schneider
Antonio Lizana2025Jul 11–13, 202580+ artists
Avishai Cohen
Jacob Collier
Samara Joy
Naomi Sharon2024Jul 12–14, 202477 artists
Ibrahim Maalouf
TemsAvishai Cohen
Al Di Meola
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
Jungle by NightAmaro Freitas
Veronica Swift
Vincen García2023Jul 7–9, 202372 artists
Loyle Carner
Orchestra BaobabSamara Joy
Benny Sings
MonoNeon2022Jul 8–10, 202275 artists
Ibrahim MaaloufTemsAvishai CohenJacob CollierChristone “Kingfish” Ingram
Kojey Radical2019Jul 12–14, 201978 artists
Jacob CollierJungle by Night
Ady Suleiman
Orquesta Akokán2018Jul 13–15, 201845 artists
Avishai Cohen2017Jul 7–9, 201772 artists
SolangeAvishai Cohen2016Jul 8–10, 201660 artists
Ibrahim Maalouf
Charlie WilsonJacob CollierJungle by Night2015Jul 10–12, 201547 artists
Bill Frisell
Ruthie Foster2014Jul 11–13, 201448 artists
Ibrahim Maalouf2013Jul 12–14, 201380+ artists
Ibrahim MaaloufCharlie Wilson2012Jul 6–8, 201242 artists
2011Jul 8–10, 201137 artists
Prince2010Jul 9–11, 201039 artists
2009Jul 10–12, 200962 artists
Raul Midón
Kyoto Jazz Massive
James Hunter2008Jul 11–20, 200865 artists
2007Jul 13–15, 200751 artists
India.ArieRaul Midón2006Jul 14–16, 200627 artists
BilalRaul MidónJames Hunter2005Jul 10, 20054 artists
2004Jul 9–11, 200425 artists
Bill FrisellBugge Wesseltoft2003Jul 12, 20033 artists
2001Jul 13–15, 20016 artists
2000Jul 16, 20003 artists
1998Jul 10–16, 199824 artists
1997Jul 11–13, 199724 artists
Taj Mahal
Buckshot LeFonque1996Jul 12–14, 199631 artists
Bill Frisell
The James Taylor QuartetPharoah Sanders Quartet1995Jul 14–16, 199546 artists
Kurt EllingBuckshot LeFonque1994Jul 8–10, 199412 artists
1992Jul 11, 19923 artists
1991Jul 11–14, 199120 artists
The Dirty Dozen Brass BandSweet Honey in the RockEddie HarrisOrnette Coleman & Prime TimeTuck & PattiBetty Carter & Her TrioEd BlackwellGary Burton QuintetNaked CityTed CursonThe Charlie Byrd TrioJimmy McGriffNat Adderley QuartetShirley Horn TrioCharlie Haden and The Liberation Music Orchestra1990Jul 12–15, 199036 artists
1989Jul 14–16, 198927 artists
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band
