Open call: International Jazz Day 2026 Global Host City

International Jazz Day, proclaimed by the UNESCO General Conference in 2011, is a global celebration of Jazz music held annually on 30 April. It aims to raise awareness of the role of Jazz as an educational tool and as a force for creativity, dialogue and intercultural exchange, and highlights how Jazz:

• Breaks down barriers and creates opportunities for mutual understanding and tolerance.
• Is a vector of freedom of expression.
• Brings people together in celebration and reduces tensions between individuals, groups, and communities.
• Encourages artistic innovation, improvisation, new forms of expression, and inclusion of traditional music forms into new ones.
• Stimulates intercultural dialogue and empowers young people from marginalised societies.

Following the call for applications, an advisory committee evaluates the eligible applications, identifies the top two candidates, and after a site visit to the top two candidates, makes a recommendation to the UNESCO Director-General who designates the Global Host City

The designated Global Host City organising entity will take responsibility for the preparation and coordination and all costs of the programme of activities, under the supervision of and in close cooperation with UNESCO and the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, which oversees the overall planning, production and coordination of the programme of activities.

The programme of activities consists of two parts: the Educational and Outreach Programme and the All-Star Global Concert.

Visit here for complete application requirements and a link to the online application.

You can also review additional technical details with the Jazz Day Technical Annex (PDF).

The deadline for 2026 applications is 15 November 2024 (midnight, CET).

Eligible applicants:

• Cities of UNESCO’s member states and associate members
• Non-governmental organisations endorsed by or in partnership with a city of a UNESCO member state or associate member

Languages of submission:

• The complete application form must be submitted online in English or French, which are the two working languages of the UNESCO Secretariat.

Should you have any questions regarding the application process or requirements, please do not hesitate to contact Kamil Walji (manager, strategic partnerships) at kamil@jazzday.com.

View the original call here.