The 45th Cartagena Jazz Festival runs from 28 October to 15 November 2026, with performances at El Batel, the Ramón Alonso Luzzy cultural centre and Mister Witt Café.
For visitors, it is a good reason to give Cartagena more than a hurried afternoon. Choose a concert, spend time exploring beforehand and consider staying overnight so the evening does not end with a drive home.
Concerts to look at first
These five highlights from the published programme are all at Auditorio El Batel.
| Date | Artist | Time | Listed ticket prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 October | Ibrahim Maalouf | 20:30 | €25 / €30 / €35 |
| 31 October | Andrea Motis & Barcelona Gospel Messengers: “To Amy” | 20:00 | €25 / €30 / €35 |
| 7 November | Kenny Barron: “Songbook” | 20:00 | €25 / €30 / €35 |
| 8 November | Kurt Elling & The Yellowjackets | 19:00 | €25 / €30 / €35 |
| 15 November | Samara Joy | 19:00 | €25 / €30 / €35 |
Daytime music and free sessions
The El Batel terrace hosts Pantera Blue on 1 November, Tito Ramírez on 8 November and La Perra Blanco on 15 November, all at 12:30.
For a free option, Hermes Alcaraz Trio and jam sessions are listed at Mister Witt Café on 29 October and 5 November at 22:00.
A daytime concert works well if you want to combine music with lunch and still head home reasonably early. For an evening performance, work backwards from the start time when planning meals and sightseeing. Give yourself enough time to find the entrance and settle in without rushing.
Buying tickets
Use the official festival programme to reach the ticket seller for your chosen performance. Check the seating plan, final checkout total and any conditions before paying. Programme prices do not guarantee that every price band still has seats available.
Book the concert you want before committing to non-refundable accommodation. If you are considering several performances, compare any available pass against the individual tickets you would actually use.
Where to stay and how to plan your visit
El Batel is on Cartagena’s harbour front, making a waterfront walk an easy addition to a concert visit.
When choosing a hotel, map the walk to the venue printed on your ticket. Do not choose solely by a property’s distance from “Cartagena centre”, particularly if you plan to attend more than one venue. Compare total cost, cancellation terms and late-evening access before booking.
Stay in Cartagena
Central Cartagena
B&B HOTEL Cartagena Cartagonova
A central option to compare for combining the festival with the old town, shops and daytime sightseeing.
Map the late-evening walk or taxi route from the venue printed on your ticket.
Check availability on Booking.com (B&B HOTEL Cartagena Cartagonova; opens in a new tab)
Cartagena city centre
Sercotel Alfonso XIII
Another city option to compare for a concert break, with the historic centre and transport connections available for the rest of the visit.
Check the route to El Batel or the other festival venue, plus parking if you are driving.
Check availability on Booking.com (Sercotel Alfonso XIII; opens in a new tab)These are location-based suggestions, not hotels we have reviewed for the festival. Compare total prices, cancellation terms and the walking route to the venue on your ticket. Availability and prices have not been checked.
Affiliate links: If you book through a Booking.com link in this section, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
For a short break, keep the itinerary simple: one or two places to visit during the day, a meal and the concert. The Roman Theatre or ARQVA can each anchor a compact city day.
Add a guided tour or activity
If you would prefer a guided walk, harbour activity or another bookable experience, see things to do in Cartagena. That page shows current Viator tours and activities when suitable inventory is available, with live product details and the site’s affiliate disclosure.
Book around the concert rather than crowding the day. Confirm the tour’s meeting point, language, finish time and cancellation terms before paying, and leave enough time to reach the venue on your ticket.
A festival weekend or a single evening?
Both can work. Start with the performance you would most like to see rather than trying to fit in everything. An overnight stay makes sense if it gives you time to enjoy the city as well as the music; a single concert can be enough for a local evening out.
If you are driving, decide where to park before setting off and check the car park’s access hours. If you are using public transport, confirm the last return service for the actual performance date before buying your concert ticket.
Programme checked on 29 September 2026. All times are local; consult the official programme for updates.
