Lincoln Jazz Festival returns to Cathedral for its fifth year!

Lincoln Jazz Festival 2026 will feature 14 concerts in five Cathedral locations over the weekend of July 10-12. The festival gets underway in the Nave on Friday July 10 with a headline show from Clare Teal and her fantastic quartet.

As well as ticketed events in The Chapter House, there will be free gigs for children and families with Saturday morning audiences dancing around the Dean’s Garden, New Orleans-style, to Funky Town Brass before Lincoln’s Sounds Easy Big Band strikes up in The Cloisters for another free event.

Following Sunday’s ever-popular Jazz Eucharist service, youngsters in the Great Grand Grantham Big Band will perform another free Cloisters gig in the afternoon.

There will be jazz for every taste. From great vocalists Jo Harrop or Ian Shaw, to the driving guitar-playing of UK favourite Nigel Price with his Organ Trio or Portrait In Evans, a re-interpretation of pianist Bill Evans’ wonderful music, featuring San Francisco vocalist Noa Levy and legendary saxophonist Alan Barnes, maybe a beguiling version of Smoke on the Water from John Law’s Re-Creations, or a hot clarinet tribute to Sidney Bechet, and more. Expect the unexpected.

Visitors can even enjoy a Cajun Soulfood Supper in the Cathedral Café featuring soulful singer and pianist TJ Johnson! Get to know some new corners of the cathedral to some great music.

For tickets and information visit lincolncathedral.com/lincoln-jazz-festival