The Cape Town International Jazz Festival will spread across the Mother City’s cultural and community spaces for the entire month of March 2027 under a new decentralised format known as the Month of the Mother City, festival organisers said. The shift moves beyond the traditional concentration at the Cape Town International Convention Centre to distribute performances and activities to sites including St George’s Cathedral, Greenmarket Square, the Company’s Garden, Artscape Theatre Centre, the Homecoming Centre, Texas Nightclub, Youngblood-Africa Gallery and Guga S’thebe in Langa. Two flagship weekends will anchor the schedule, beginning with the Homecoming weekend on March 12 and 13 at the Homecoming Centre associated with the District Six Museum and Texas Nightclub, followed by the main celebrations from March 19 to 21 at the Company’s Garden, Greenmarket Square and St George’s Cathedral.
The programme will showcase 22 South African artists alongside 16 international acts, with special collaborations featuring the CTIJF Jazz Orchestra and the CTIJF All-Star Youth Band, according to the announcement. Additional elements include 10 intimate performances, 10 masterclasses, panel discussions, a conversation series, an art gallery exhibition and a fashion show spread throughout the month, together with free community concerts at Guga S’thebe on March 14 and Greenmarket Square on March 17. The month will conclude on March 21 with a family day designed to welcome audiences of all ages.
Festival co-director Carolyn Sierra stated, “In 2027, Cape Town doesn’t simply host the Cape Town International Jazz Festival. The city becomes the festival.” A second co-director, Georgia Jones, noted that the format draws inspiration from events such as the London and Melbourne jazz festivals to create an extended ecosystem of cultural activity. Organisers emphasised that ticket options ranging from free entry to tiered pricing will enhance accessibility and community participation.
Since its launch in 2000 the Cape Town International Jazz Festival has established itself as Africa’s largest jazz event and the fourth largest in the world, festival history shows. Attendance has expanded from approximately 14,000 in the inaugural year to more than 30,000 in recent editions while earlier assessments placed its 2010 contribution to the Western Cape economy at R740 million. The 2027 model seeks to broaden this reach by embedding events more deeply into neighbourhoods and public spaces.
The initial artist wave includes Swedish sensation Emma Nissen, South African stars Simphiwe Dana, Thandeka Mfinyongo and Internet Athi as well as Malian kora master Ballaké Sissoko, the announcement reported. By incorporating visual art exhibitions, fashion presentations and educational sessions the festival aims to deliver a richer interdisciplinary experience. Festival organisers have indicated that further lineup details and ticketing information will be unveiled progressively in the months ahead.
The transformation marks the most substantial evolution in the event’s 27-year history as it evolves from a concentrated weekend gathering into a citywide cultural celebration, according to the festival’s co-directors. This approach aligns with the CTIJF’s longstanding role in blending local and international talent to foster creative exchange and economic activity. The expanded programme positions March as a dedicated period for Cape Town’s artistic and musical heritage.
