International Jazz Day, 2026 – 30th April
Established by UNESCO in 2011 at the initiative of UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock, and recognized by the United Nations General Assembly, International Jazz Day brings together countries and communities worldwide every 30 April. The Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz is UNESCO’s partner in the organization and promotion of International Jazz Day.
At the All-Star Global Concert 2025 in Abu Dhabi, UNESCO officials announced that Herbie Hancock’s hometown of Chicago, USA will host the 15th anniversary International Jazz Day celebration in 2026.
For over a century, Chicago has been a jazz mecca. As early as the 1920s, jazz musicians sailed up the Mississippi from New Orleans and found the city to be a creative hub. Jazz legends such as Louis Armstrong, King Oliver and Jelly Roll Morton made their names in the city, developing the “Chicago style” of jazz. This style valued solos, improvisation, big band arrangements and a faster, more rhythmic sound, bringing instruments like the saxophone to the fore. Today, Chicago continues to celebrate its heritage through the Chicago Jazz Festival and iconic venues such as the Green Mill and the Jazz Showcase, founded 75 years ago.
For International Jazz Day 2026, Chicago will also host a series of other jazz concerts, educational initiatives, discussions and events for audiences of all ages, in partnership with the Chicago Jazz Alliance, the Ravinia Festival, the City of Chicago, the Illinois Arts Council, the State of Illinois and others.
“Jazz has always been about bringing people together, breaking barriers, and inspiring creativity across cultures. International Jazz Day reminds us that music has the power to transcend borders, foster dialogue, and spark joy and hope,” according to Herbie Hancock.
To learn more about International Jazz Day and register events on the official website, visit
www.jazzday.com or www.unesco.org/jazzday
Don’t forget to use the official hashtags #JazzDay when tweeting about International Jazz Day.
At 24/7 Jazz Radio and Jazz Radio International we are celebrating International Jazz Day
On April 30th, 2026, day and night, our stations, 24/7 Jazz Radio and Jazz Radio International will be dedicating our schedules to International Jazz Day. Every hour we will have Radio Spots featuring Herbie Hancock .
These two jazz stations are part of the 24/7 Online Radio Group. You can listen below to our radio streams on this website and on popular apps. We have also included our special International Jazz Day 2019 show below too!
See our listing on the Jazz International Day website.
Listen to our 2019 Special International Jazz Day programme in the Mixcload player below.