Fest Jazz 2026

Fest Jazz at Chateauneuf-du-Faou takes place on the banks of the River Aulne in one of the most beautiful corners of Brittany. There are four stages (all within a 3 minute walk) and the spectators can wander between them as they wish and as the music takes them.

The festival, directed by a team of young people, is much more “cool” and relaxed than many other jazz festivals. Our slogan is “More Woodstock than Conservatoire”! During the weekend there are over 40 concerts and 140 musicians with New Orleans and swing jazz at its heart. It also features other styles: bluegrass, boogie-woogie, folk, world music and rock’n’roll.

Swing dance is also central to the weekend, with dancers coming from all over Europe to enjoy the music and the designated dance floors. Recent artists have included Tuba Skinny, Gunhild Carling, Stochelo Rosenberg, Malo Mazurié, Andrea Motis, the David Hermlin Trio and Jean Baptiste Franc, as well as dozens of up and coming young groups. The artists for 2026 will be announced from 1st December 2025 on our website.

There is also a “Big Band Workshop” held for five days alongside the festival, with forty budding instrumentalists learning how to play in a Big Band under four professional teachers. Their concert on the final day of the festival is a big moment.

All the stages are covered by large marquees for performers and musicians. There are three bars, food trucks, snacks and freshly made Breton crêpes. There is also an organised Family Area with activities, games and workshops for young children.

Fest Jazz is organised by the local voluntary group Association Jazz Kreiz Breizh. The association encourages young people into live music, supports women in the music industry (in 2025 50% of groups had female leads), welcomes international artists and spectators, involves the community (over 250 villagers volunteer) and runs a Fringe Festival with concerts in nearby villages. The association also organises concerts and swing dances year-round and runs a Jazz à l'Ecole project visiting schools to present jazz history and its social context.