Jazz Day Alicante 2027 – Spain

Overview

Jazz Day Alicante 2027 is a city-wide celebration of jazz organized by the Asociación Cultural LIZ VALLET in Alicante, Spain. The event is connected with International Jazz Day, the global celebration promoted by UNESCO, and brings together concerts, educational activities, exhibitions, talks, photography, dance and other cultural programmes. The organizers have been developing the Alicante celebration annually since 2012.

Rather than operating as a single conventional music festival, Jazz Day Alicante uses different cultural spaces, concert venues, public squares and music locations around Alicante and nearby municipalities. This creates a programme that can introduce jazz to audiences in both formal concert settings and open public spaces.

The event is organized by A.C. LIZ VALLET, an association created in memory of American jazz educator and singer Elizabeth Young-Vallet, who lived in Alicante and actively promoted jazz in the local community. Her legacy continues through the association’s work with musicians, artists and cultural organizations.

Jazz Day Alicante has developed into a multidisciplinary cultural celebration. Recent programmes have included large ensemble concerts, street performances, jam sessions, jazz-related visual art, dance workshops, educational concerts and photography competitions. The festival also provides opportunities for local musicians to perform alongside national and international artists.

For visitors, Jazz Day Alicante offers a way to experience jazz within the historic and Mediterranean atmosphere of Alicante rather than inside one isolated festival venue. Concerts and cultural activities can be combined with the city’s beaches, old town, museums, restaurants and waterfront.

What Makes This Event Special

City-wide jazz celebration

One of the most distinctive characteristics of Jazz Day Alicante is its distribution across the city. Activities can take place in theatres, cultural centers, restaurants, jazz clubs and public squares, giving the celebration a strong connection with Alicante’s cultural life.

International Jazz Day connection

The event is part of the worldwide celebration of International Jazz Day. The Alicante organization has participated in the global initiative since its early years, creating a local programme that connects the city’s musicians and audiences with an international cultural movement.

Outdoor performances

Public performances are an important part of the programme. Recent editions have featured JazzDay en la Calle at Plaza del Ayuntamiento, where several groups, DJs and a street marching band performed in an open-air environment. The event was free and designed to encourage broad public participation.

More than concerts

Jazz Day Alicante extends beyond live performances. Its official website highlights concerts, open classes, exhibitions, conferences, photography competitions, dancing and marching bands among its activities. This makes the celebration relevant to musicians, dancers, photographers, students and general cultural audiences.

Support for local jazz culture

The programme provides opportunities for Alicante-based musicians and cultural organizations to participate alongside visiting performers. This creates connections between local artists, national acts and international jazz communities.

Lineup / Featured Artists

The Jazz Day Alicante 2027 artist lineup has not yet been officially announced. The programme normally develops across numerous concerts and activities rather than around a small number of headline performers.

Previous editions provide an indication of the breadth of performers who may appear. Recent programmes have featured Big Band Sedajazz, Yuri Storione, Shenandoah Jazz Project, Carla Vallet & Jazz Meeting, The Funker Brothers and other ensembles and musicians.

Big Band Sedajazz presented a programme exploring jazz through different cultural influences, including connections with Afro-Cuban music, flamenco, funk and avant-garde sounds. Its participation demonstrates the festival’s interest in presenting jazz as an evolving international musical language.

Yuri Storione has also appeared in the programme. The Italian pianist and composer has worked with musicians including Jorge Rossy, Dominik Schürmann, Larry Grenadier, Jeff Ballard, Mark Turner and Perico Sambeat.

Shenandoah Jazz Project has represented the contemporary side of the programme, combining jazz and improvisation with original compositions. The Murcia-based group has also participated in jazz competitions and regional festivals.

For 2027, visitors should wait for official announcements from Jazz Day Alicante before treating any individual artist as confirmed.

Event Experience

Jazz Day Alicante offers a more varied experience than a conventional multi-stage festival. The event can take visitors from an intimate jazz-club performance to an outdoor concert, an art exhibition or an educational workshop.

Outdoor activities have an especially accessible character. JazzDay en la Calle has brought musicians into Plaza del Ayuntamiento, creating a public performance environment where people can listen without needing to enter a traditional concert hall. Previous editions have included several groups, DJs and marching-band performances in this setting.

Dance is another part of the programme. The Nest Swing Dance Studio has previously participated with open Lindy-hop classes, giving attendees an opportunity to learn basic swing-dance movements before enjoying live jazz.

Educational programming also plays an important role. The organizers have presented introductory concerts and activities designed to explain jazz, its history and its musical elements to audiences who may not already be familiar with the genre.

Visual art is incorporated into the wider cultural programme as well. JazzArt has brought together artists working in painting, sculpture and ceramics, demonstrating how the festival connects jazz with other creative disciplines.

The result is an event where visitors can construct their own experience according to their interests, choosing concerts, exhibitions, workshops and social activities rather than following a single continuous programme.

Date & Schedule

Event Dates: April – May 2027 (Dates TBD)

The detailed 2027 schedule has not yet been published. Jazz Day Alicante traditionally builds its programme around International Jazz Day and extends its activities across multiple cultural events, performances and educational programmes.

The eventual programme is expected to identify individual concerts, participating musicians, venues, opening times and any registration requirements.

Visitors should consult the official Jazz Day Alicante website for the confirmed programme before making plans, particularly because activities can take place at different locations throughout Alicante and surrounding areas.

Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.

Location & Venue

Jazz Day Alicante is not limited to a single venue. The programme uses cultural spaces, concert halls, public squares, restaurants, jazz clubs and other locations in Alicante and nearby municipalities.

Plaza del Ayuntamiento is one of the most recognizable public locations associated with the event. Previous JazzDay en la Calle programming transformed the square into an open-air jazz environment featuring several groups, DJs and a marching band.

Fundación Mediterráneo has also hosted major concerts, including the Big Band Sedajazz programme. The venue is located on Avenida del Doctor Gadea in central Alicante.

The Centro Municipal de las Artes has hosted jazz-related visual-art exhibitions, including JazzArt, which brought together more than 15 artists working across different media.

Other activities have taken place at specialist music spaces such as The Nest Swing Dance Studio, El Refugio Jazz Club in nearby Sant Joan d’Alacant and other local cultural venues.

Because the programme is distributed, visitors should always check the individual venue listed for each 2027 activity rather than assuming that every event will take place in one central location.

Event History

Jazz Day Alicante has been organized annually by A.C. LIZ VALLET since 2012. The association created the local celebration as part of the global International Jazz Day initiative and has continued developing the programme around concerts, education, art and community participation.

The organization’s work is closely connected with the legacy of Elizabeth Young-Vallet, an American jazz teacher and singer who established herself in Alicante and promoted jazz within the local cultural scene. Her daughter Carla Vallet and Pepe Bornay continue this work through the association.

Over time, the programme has expanded beyond conventional concerts. Public performances, jazz education, dance, photography, visual arts and conferences have become part of the broader celebration.

The event has also developed collaborations with Alicante’s municipal cultural institutions. Since 2019, the public street celebration has received support from the Concejalía de Cultura del Ayuntamiento de Alicante, helping bring jazz into public spaces.

The organization has also connected jazz with environmental and social initiatives. Its official history notes a crowdfunding campaign and environmental fair developed with local environmental organizations.

Getting to the Event

By air

Alicante–Elche Miguel Hernández Airport is the principal airport serving the city. From the airport, visitors can continue into Alicante using public transportation, taxi services or a rental car.

By train

Alicante is connected with other major Spanish cities by rail. The city’s main railway station provides connections that make it possible to reach Alicante from destinations such as Madrid and other parts of Spain.

By tram and local transport

TRAM d’Alacant and local buses provide connections throughout the metropolitan area. These services can be particularly useful when Jazz Day activities are spread between central Alicante and nearby municipalities.

Walking

Many central activities can be reached on foot once visitors are staying in central Alicante. Plaza del Ayuntamiento, the old town, waterfront and several cultural spaces are located within a relatively compact urban area.

Travel between venues

Because Jazz Day Alicante can use different locations, visitors should check the address of each individual activity. Allow extra time when moving between central Alicante, nearby coastal municipalities and specialist venues.

Where to Stay Nearby

Central Alicante is the most convenient base for visitors who want to experience several Jazz Day activities without relying heavily on a car.

The city center provides hotels, hostels, apartments and guesthouses within walking distance of restaurants, cultural attractions, public transport and the waterfront.

The area around the historic center and Explanada de España is particularly useful for visitors interested in combining concerts with sightseeing. Staying centrally also makes it easier to return to accommodation after evening performances.

Visitors attending activities in nearby Sant Joan d’Alacant may also consider staying closer to that municipality. This can be practical when the itinerary includes performances at venues such as El Refugio Jazz Club.

For longer visits, accommodation outside the center can provide access to Alicante’s beaches and residential areas while remaining connected by public transportation.

Things to Do Before or After the Event

Santa Bárbara Castle

Castillo de Santa Bárbara overlooks Alicante from Mount Benacantil and provides panoramic views over the city, Mediterranean coastline and harbor. It is one of the city’s principal historical attractions.

Explanada de España

The palm-lined Explanada is one of Alicante’s most recognizable promenades. It is an easy place to explore between concerts and provides access to the waterfront and central areas.

Postiguet Beach

Playa del Postiguet is located close to the city center and offers an opportunity to relax beside the Mediterranean before or after attending an event.

Alicante Old Town

The historic center contains narrow streets, plazas, churches, restaurants and traditional architecture. It is particularly suitable for walking and exploring at a relaxed pace.

MARQ Archaeological Museum

The Archaeological Museum of Alicante presents collections covering the region’s prehistoric, Iberian, Roman and medieval heritage and provides a cultural option away from the music programme.

Alicante waterfront

The marina and waterfront area offer restaurants, walking routes and views across the Mediterranean. It is also convenient for visitors staying in central Alicante.

Restaurants & Dining Nearby

Alicante has a strong food culture that combines Valencian traditions with Mediterranean ingredients.

Visitors can find restaurants serving rice dishes, seafood, grilled fish, tapas and traditional local specialties throughout the city center.

Rice dishes

Rice is an important part of Alicante’s regional cuisine. Visitors can look for local preparations influenced by the wider Valencian culinary tradition.

Seafood

Alicante’s coastal location means seafood is widely represented on restaurant menus. Fish, shellfish and Mediterranean-style preparations are common choices.

Tapas

Central Alicante has numerous tapas restaurants and casual dining establishments, making tapas a practical choice between performances.

Traditional desserts

Visitors interested in regional sweets can sample local pastries and other Mediterranean desserts available from bakeries and restaurants.

When attending several Jazz Day activities in different parts of the city, it can be useful to choose restaurants close to the next venue rather than returning to the hotel between every performance.

Ticket Information

Jazz Day Alicante uses a mixed access model because the programme includes both free public activities and ticketed indoor concerts.

Recent official listings show that the outdoor JazzDay en la Calle concert at Plaza del Ayuntamiento was free admission.

Other concerts have required tickets. For example, the Big Band Sedajazz performance at Fundación Mediterráneo had a published ticket price of approximately $20.21 after converting the listed €18 admission using an exchange rate of €1 = approximately $1.1225.

The 2027 ticket prices have not yet been announced, so previous published admission provides the available reference point.

Previous ticket reference

• Free outdoor concert: $0
• Big Band Sedajazz concert: approximately $20.21
• Shenandoah Jazz Project concert: approximately $11.23 based on the previously listed €10 admission.

Other individual events can have different admission arrangements, including free entry, ticketed entry or registration requirements. Visitors should check the individual event listing on the official website before attending.

Tips Before You Go

Check every venue

Jazz Day Alicante is distributed across multiple locations, so confirm the address of each concert, workshop or exhibition before setting out.

Check admission requirements

Some activities are free while others require tickets or advance arrangements. The official event page normally identifies the applicable admission information.

Allow travel time

If your itinerary includes events in different parts of Alicante or nearby municipalities, allow sufficient time for local transport between venues.

Explore the wider programme

Do not focus exclusively on concerts. The festival can include exhibitions, dance, talks, photography activities, workshops and educational performances.

Consider outdoor events

Public concerts offer an accessible way to experience the celebration. Previous JazzDay en la Calle programming has been free and held outdoors in Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

Check accessibility

Individual accessibility arrangements can differ according to venue. Visitors with specific accessibility requirements should check the relevant venue or organizer before attending.

Bring comfortable footwear

A city-based cultural programme can involve considerable walking between venues, squares, restaurants and sightseeing attractions.

Official Event Information

The official source for Jazz Day Alicante is the event website:

Official Jazz Day Alicante Website (https://jazzdayalicante.com/)

Jazz Day Alicante is organized by Asociación Cultural LIZ VALLET, which is based in Alicante and has organized the city’s International Jazz Day celebration since 2012.

The official website provides information about upcoming programming, past events, jazz resources, interviews, podcasts, competitions and the organization’s activities.

The site should be checked for the final 2027 programme, participating musicians, venue details, admission arrangements and any changes to the schedule.

Attendee Experiences

Jazz Day Alicante provides a flexible experience because visitors can choose between different types of cultural activities. A jazz enthusiast can concentrate on concerts, while someone interested in the broader cultural side can add exhibitions, dance, educational activities and photography.

The open-air programming gives the celebration a particularly public character. Previous JazzDay en la Calle events have brought multiple groups, DJs and marching-band musicians into Plaza del Ayuntamiento, creating an environment where people can encounter jazz without entering a traditional concert venue.

For musicians and jazz students, educational and participatory activities can provide opportunities to engage with the genre beyond simply listening to performances. The association’s programme has included introductory jazz concerts, workshops and dance classes.

Art enthusiasts can also find connections between jazz and visual creativity. The JazzArt exhibition has featured more than 15 artists working across painting, ceramics and sculpture, demonstrating the festival’s broader interpretation of jazz culture.

The city’s Mediterranean setting adds another dimension. Between activities, attendees can visit Alicante’s beaches, historic center, castle, museums, restaurants and waterfront.

The result is a festival experience that can be highly musical for dedicated jazz fans while remaining accessible to visitors who simply want to discover the city’s cultural scene.