Your ultimate guide to Pai Jazz & Blues Festival 2026

Rolling nine years strong, Pai Jazz & Blues Festival is back with an absolutely packed line up this weekend, June 3-5. 

A major highlight of green season in the north, the musical fest takes over the stages and mixing desks across Pai’s town centre – changing the soundtrack from sleepy hippy hangout to an international, multi-venue jazz affair. 

Jazz of all shapes and sizes is humming from street corners, for three full days and nights packed with talent from Thailand and beyond. But fear not, it’s still the same small scale, intimate event it ever was – and that’s just how Pai likes it. 

And perhaps most excitingly, drum roll please, this year admission to the Official Main Venue, Jazz Up (formerly known as the Jazz House) is completely free with no tickets required, making it easier than ever for us to enjoy top-drawer live music in the heart of Pai.

Pai Jazz & Blues Festival 2026

From July 3-5, Jazz Up – handily located just minutes from Pai Walking Street – will host five live shows a day, with jazz, blues and more performed from 4.15pm to 10.30pm every evening.

Beyond the main shows, the festival continues its signature bar hopping experience with a solid network of partner venues across town, including Pai Coffee Studio, Cafecito, Janym Pai, The Bottle & Cat's Whiskers, Limoncello Pai, The Blue Ox, Silhouette by Reverie Siam, Vinyl Sky Lounge and Supermoon Pai.

With so much going on, we’re wondering where to start, so festival founder Somchai Khan-asa gave us a few crucial tips for fest success. 

‘For anyone visiting the Pai Jazz & Blues Festival for the first time, my advice is simple: don't rush. Pai is a town best enjoyed at a slow pace.’

Given that it’s a walkable festival, we’ll absolutely be moseying around and leaving the bikes at the guest house. Somchai says being on foot is key, ‘you can check the festival schedule on the Pai Jazz & Blues Festival Facebook page, but it’s great to follow the music and drop into the venues that catch your eye.’ Surprises are always fun. And his last pointer is a testament to how friendly this community minded event is, he says ‘don't be shy about saying hello to the musicians, they're always happy to meet people.’ 

Will you join a band by the end of the weekend? Who’s to say.

This year's line up is a heady mix of genres and enthusiasm, with established and emerging artists from across Thailand booked alongside some special international guests. From Chiang Mai, we can look forward to Chiangmai Blues, Kalio & The CM Crew, Dr. Ken Aquarium, Sura Collective Trio and Sativa Boy Big Band. 

Pai's own music scene will also be well-repped by local favourites Brown Sugar and the ever-popular Pai Blues Brothers Band. 

Joining the line-up from Bangkok are acclaimed jazz vocalist Aey Kuljira, whose expressive voice has earned her recognition on Thailand's jazz scene and The Gypsy Trio, featuring two members of the renowned Hot Club of Siam. The trio will perform an energetic repertoire of Gypsy jazz and swing, inspired by the music of Django Reinhardt.

Then all the way from Singapore, DeltaV brings authentic electric blues rooted in the traditions of Mississippi and Chicago blues, delivering a classic sound with a contemporary energy. 

And representing Japan is acclaimed fingerstyle guitarist Hikaru Tanimoto. While his music extends beyond traditional jazz and blues, his remarkable fingerstyle technique and expressive performances have captivated audiences throughout Asia, making him a unique addition to this year's festival.

Here’s the line-up you can expect in Jazz Up, and as Somchai says, keep an eye on the Pai Jazz & Blues Festival Facebook page for updates on what to find at the partner venues. Or just follow the sounds that appeal to you, that’s what we’ll be doing.

Friday July 3

4.15pm-5.15pm Mike Sriviengping (Acoustic Fingerstyle)

5.30pm-6.30pm Brown Sugar (Jazz & Blues)

6.45pm-7.45pm Dr. Ken Aquarium (Blues)

8pm-9pm Aek Wild Sax (Spiritual Street Jazz)

9.15pm-10.15pm Chiangmai BLUES (Blues)

Saturday July 4

4.15pm-5.15pm DeltaV (Mississippi / Chicago Blues)

5.30pm-6.30pm Rasi-dib Trio (Electric Folk)

6.45pm-7.45pm Aey Kuljira (Jazz Vocalist)

8pm-9pm Pai Blues Brothers Band (Blues)

9.15pm-10.15pm Kalio & The CM Crew (Soul / R&B)

Sunday July 5

4.15pm-5.15pm Sura Collective Trio (Experimental Modal Jazz)

5.30pm-6.30pm Ribbinda Sky (Pop-Jazz)

6.45pm-7.45pm Hikaru Tanimoto (Acoustic Fingerstyle)

8pm-9pm The Gypsy Trio (Gypsy Jazz /Swing)

9.15pm-10.15pm Sativa Boy Big Band (Funky Ska)