Guinness Cork Jazz Festival 2026 & Maldron Hotels Cork
Guinness Cork Jazz Festival 2026
The Guinness Cork Jazz festival is the infamous three-day event that takes place 2026 on the October bank holiday from the 23rd to the 25th. From humble beginnings in 1978 It has grown to the size it is today, attracting artists and fans from all over the country for almost 50 years and counting.
Prepare yourself for the 2026 line-up to be announced. Cork City Hall have already confirmed some amazing acts. You can kick off your Cork Jazz Festival with The Stunning & Mundy teaming up for a double act on Friday 23rd, then experience the long awaited return of Bob Geldolf and The Boomtown Rats after 49 years since they last played on Saturday 24th, with a jam-packed schedule on Sunday 25 with a tribute to Rory Gallagher, 31 after his death at 2pm, followed by Mack Fleetwood at 8pm. Keep checking The Cork Jazz Festival line-up for more acts to be announced. Tickets can be purchased on eventbright.
Looking for the perfect City centre hotel to stay while enjoying Guinness Cork Jazz festival, look no further!
Celebrate your jazz weekend at Maldron Hotels in Cork City, chose from our 2 centrally located hotels Maldron Hotel South Mall and Maldron Hotel Shandon
Enjoy the perfect stay in one of our modern, bright and spacious rooms. They’re designed to make you feel right where you belong from the start!
Sit back, relax & enjoy some jazz bites from our Grain & Grill Restaurants.
The Guinness Music Trail
Last year The Cork Jazz Festival introduced the Guinness Music Trail with more than 70 venues across Cork City, Douglas and Kinsale. Keep checking to use the Music trail interactive map!
Things to Know about the Cork Jazz Festival
The Cork Jazz Festival runs from Thursday 22nd - Monday 26th of October 2026. (The October Bank Holiday Weekend)
Most of the acts play in venues accross Cork City. The Venues range from large venues like the Cork Opera House and Cork City Hall, to more intimate venues like The Everyman and Cyprus Avenue, with sessions taking place in pubs throughout the city with favourites in Caughlans and The Oliver Plunkett. There are also activities in Kinsale and Douglas throughout the weekend.
We recommend staying in Cork City. If you stay central you'll able to walk to all the venues and pubs, and enjoy being in the centre of the craic. Both Maldron hotels are located in Cork City centre and are walking distance from the venues and pubs. They usually book up early each year do book now to avoid disappointment.
The Full 2026 line-up is still to be announced: See confirmed acts below
Cork City Hall
- 7pm - The Stunning and Mundy
Cork City Hall
- 7pm - Bob Geldof and The Boomtown Rats
Cork City Hall
- 2pm - Rory Gallagher tribute band - Moonchild
- 8pm - Mack Fleetwood- Fleetwood Mac tribute band
Cyprus Avenue
- 7pm - Margaret Glasby
Top Jazz Cork Venues Walking Distance from Maldron South Mall
- Cork City Hall - 2 minute walk
- Cyprus Avenue - 4 minute walk
- The Everyman - 8 minute walk
- Cork Opera House - 10 minute walk
- Triskel Arts Centre - 11 minute walk
- Kino - 16 minute walk
- Live At St. Luke's - 19 minute walk
- St. Peter's Church - 15 minute walk
Top Jazz Pubs
- The Oliver Plunkett - 3 minute walk
- Coughlan's - 11 minute walk
- The Old Town Whiskey Bar at Bodega - 13 minute walk
Top Jazz Cork Venues Walking Distance from Maldron Shandon
- Cork Opera House - 6 minute walk
- St. Peter's Church - 8 minute walk
- The Everyman - 8 minute walk
- Cyprus Avenue - 11 minute walk
- Cork City Hall - 16 minute walk
- Triskel Arts Centre - 12 minute walk
- Kino - 15 minute walk
- Live At St. Luke's - 19 minute walk
Top Jazz Pubs
- The Old Town Whiskey Bar at Bodega - 8 minute walk
- The Oliver Plunkett - 16 minute walk
- Coughlan's - 22 minute walk
Things to do in Cork while visiting for Cork Jazz Festival
Our Cork City Hotels
Join us at Maldron Hotel South Mall or Maldron Hotel Shandon for The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival. Our Cork City hotels are walking distance from all the top venues and pubs making them ideal basecamps for your stay
Contact Us
Contact our events team for bookings on events.southmall@maldronhotels.com or 021-203 7000.
