Around Melbourne
Various prices
It’s time to enjoy some sax in the city this spring, with the return of the Melbourne International Jazz Festival (MIJF) for its 28th edition. This year, more than 500 artists representing 18 countries will participate in more than 150 events across 40 venues. Phew! It's the festival's most expansive and ambitious program to date, and we can see why. Better yet, 36 per cent of the events are free to attend.
Since 1998, MIJF has taken the underground above ground and celebrated the best of jazz culture by showcasing leading and emerging contemporary artists from home and abroad.
During the festival, which runs from October 17-26, Melbourne will once again become the epicentre of Australia’s vibrant and buzzing jazz scene, with music taking over the streets, concert halls and clubs.
The party kicks off with Night Crawl – a one-night-only takeover of multiple CBD venues, featuring Natasha Diggs (US), multi-instrumentalist Tenderlonious (UK) and local legends Horatio Luna, Surprise Chef and Ella Thompson. Think of it as a choose-your-own-adventure of free live music across iconic sites such as Wax Music Lounge, Arbory Afloat, Whitehart and more.
Other headline acts include Grammy, Emmy and Tony Award-winning artist Harry Connick Jr leading the festival’s signature Jazz at the Bowl on the final weekend; baritone superstar Gregory Porter, who will be performing at Hamer Hall; powerhouse vocalist Samara Joy, Japanese pianist and composer Hiromi; plus jazz legends Gary Bartz, Bill Frisell and Danilo Pérez.
There will also be late-night club sessions, film screenings, a walking music trail and the return of Big Band Saturday – an open-air celebration of brass, rhythm and groove.
“It’s a program that reflects the full breadth of jazz today, from its deep traditions to its most daring frontiers, and it’s designed to be experienced by everyone, whether you’re a dedicated jazz enthusiast or simply curious to explore,” said Michael Tortoni, artistic director of the MIJF. “This October, Melbourne will be in full swing.”
This is a mere snippet of the MIJF 2025 program. For a greater delve into this year’s offerings and to book tickets, visit the website here.
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.
