Every June since 2018, the Festival Québec Jazz en Juin transforms some of the finest concert halls in Québec City into intimate jazz venues. The 8th edition runs June 25–28, 2026 at the Grand Théâtre de Québec and the Théâtre de la Cité Universitaire, with an all-jazz lineup that spotlights Québec talent alongside international artists.
See all Jazz en Juin 2026 shows in our Québec City events calendar and plan your stay with our neighbourhood guide.
An Intimate, 100% Jazz Festival
Where the FEQ draws tens of thousands to the Plains of Abraham, Jazz en Juin is built around intimacy. Concerts take place in human-scale rooms — the Salle Octave-Crémazie and STUDIOTELUS at the Grand Théâtre, and the Théâtre de la Cité Universitaire — where you hear every note and feel genuinely close to the performers.
The festival's mission is to "offer a distinctive, sustainable 100% jazz experience that highlights Québec artists and emerging talent, grounded in core values of diversity and inclusion." In four days, it delivers indoor headline concerts, intimate evening apéro-jazz sessions, and a free outdoor program that spills into the surrounding neighbourhood.
Three Programming Streams
Indoor Concerts (ticketed)
The headline shows take place at the Salle Octave-Crémazie at the Grand Théâtre de Québec and the Théâtre de la Cité Universitaire. These are the festival's flagship events: ambitious projects, large ensembles, and artists at the top of their craft. Tickets are available on Ticketmaster and via Zeffy depending on the show.
Apéros Jazz @ STUDIOTELUS (ticketed)
Every evening at 6 PM, the STUDIOTELUS at the Grand Théâtre hosts intimate apéro-jazz concerts: one project, one hour, one atmosphere. This is where the festival showcases the best of Québec's emerging artists and rising international names — the perfect warm-up before the night's main event.
Free Outdoor Programming (no ticket required)
Jazz en Juin also presents free outdoor concerts — no ticket, no reservation. The full 2026 outdoor lineup will be announced in the coming weeks. It is an ideal entry point for newcomers and families discovering jazz for the first time.
2026 Lineup: Announced Shows
Thursday, June 25
6 PM — zza @ STUDIOTELUS
A Québec collective that draws a direct line from jazz to hip-hop production aesthetics. Spontaneity, improvisation, groove — an opening act that sets the mood immediately.
8 PM — Hommage à Jaco Pastorius Big Band @ Théâtre de la Cité Universitaire
The boldest show of the edition. To mark the 50th anniversary of Jaco Pastorius's self-titled debut album — a foundational work for the electric bass — the festival assembles 24 musicians under the direction of Martin Desjardins, co-directed by Patricia Deslauriers and Carl Mayotte. On stage: four exceptional bassists, Alain Caron, Carl Mayotte, Rémi-Jean LeBlanc and Gabrielle Gélinas, honouring the legacy of the American virtuoso who passed away in 1987. A once-in-a-generation concert.
8 PM — Dawn Tyler Watson @ Salle Octave-Crémazie, Grand Théâtre de Québec
A defining voice in Canadian jazz and blues, Dawn Tyler Watson presents her Jazz Sessions — a program of timeless standards performed with effortless elegance alongside longtime collaborators John Sadowy (piano), Morgan Moore (bass) and Richard Irwin (drums). A beautifully crafted evening for lovers of classic jazz.
Friday, June 26
6 PM — Thierry Du Sablon (Album Launch) @ STUDIOTELUS
Bassist Thierry Du Sablon presents his debut album, a project rooted in progressive rock and Québécois traditional music, shaped by a deep reflection on musical identity. Launching an album at Jazz en Juin — there is no better setting.
8 PM — Alain Caron & Quatuor ESCA @ Salle Octave-Crémazie, Grand Théâtre de Québec
After appearing in the Jaco Pastorius tribute the night before, Alain Caron returns in a more chamber-jazz setting for an original meeting with the Quatuor ESCA. The project fuses jazz trio virtuosity with the elegance of strings, with John Roney (piano) and Louis-Vincent Hamel (drums) completing the ensemble. One of the most distinctive offerings of the edition.
Saturday, June 27
11 AM — Jacques Kuba Séguin: Fanfare sous le pommier @ STUDIOTELUS
Jazz in the morning too. Jacques Kuba Séguin — winner of the Félix Award for Best Jazz Album in 2020, multiple ADISQ and Prix Opus nominee since 2015, and a collaborator of Daniel Bélanger, Jean Leloup, Pierre Lapointe, Steve Hill, Papagroove and the Cirque du Soleil — brings Fanfare sous le pommier to the STUDIOTELUS with four musicians. Funk, Afro-beat and jazz combine in a spirit of pure joy and accessibility — a perfect first jazz experience for families and newcomers.
6 PM — Émile Londonien @ STUDIOTELUS
From France, the ensemble Émile Londonien performs material from their latest project Inwards — a journey through house, broken beat, jazz and R&B. One of the most exciting groups on the European jazz circuit right now.
Sunday, June 28
Programming to be confirmed. Additional shows will be announced by May 26 — subscribe to the festival newsletter at festivalquebecjazzenjuin.com to get the details first.
Practical Information
Tickets and Booking
Tickets for indoor concerts are available on Ticketmaster (Grand Théâtre shows) and Zeffy (Hommage à Jaco Pastorius at the Théâtre de la Cité Universitaire). Rooms are kept intentionally small — that is the point — so popular shows sell out quickly. Book early at festivalquebecjazzenjuin.com.
The Venues
Grand Théâtre de Québec (269 René-Lévesque Blvd E) is home to two festival spaces: the Salle Octave-Crémazie for headline concerts and the STUDIOTELUS for the apéro sessions. The venue is easily reachable by bus from anywhere in the city centre. Learn more on our Grand Théâtre de Québec venue page.
Théâtre de la Cité Universitaire (2325 rue de l'Université) sits on the Université Laval campus in Sainte-Foy, about 20 minutes from the Old City by bus or rideshare. Plan your transport in advance for the Jaco Pastorius tribute.
Combining with Other Events
Jazz en Juin wraps up June 28 — just ten days before the Festival d'été de Québec kicks off on July 9. If you are planning a trip to Québec City in late June or early July, the two festivals pair naturally. Read our complete FEQ 2026 guide for a full stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Festival Québec Jazz en Juin 2026?
The festival runs June 25–28, 2026 — four days of jazz in Québec City.
Where does Jazz en Juin take place?
Indoor shows are at the Grand Théâtre de Québec (Salle Octave-Crémazie and STUDIOTELUS) and the Théâtre de la Cité Universitaire. Free outdoor programming takes place in the surrounding neighbourhood; locations are announced as the schedule fills in.
Are there free shows at Jazz en Juin 2026?
Yes. The outdoor programming is completely free with no ticket or reservation required. Indoor concerts and STUDIOTELUS apéro-jazz shows are ticketed.
How do I buy tickets for Jazz en Juin 2026?
Tickets are on Ticketmaster for Grand Théâtre shows and on Zeffy for the Jaco Pastorius tribute at the Théâtre de la Cité Universitaire. All links are at festivalquebecjazzenjuin.com.
What is the 8th edition of Jazz en Juin?
The festival launched in 2018 and has run every year since. The 2026 edition is the eighth — and the most ambitious yet, with a 24-musician Jaco Pastorius tribute leading the bill.
Whether you are a lifelong jazz fan or simply curious about experiencing it in an intimate setting, the Festival Québec Jazz en Juin 2026 offers four uncommonly rich days of music. Follow our Québec City events calendar to stay up to date as the full lineup is revealed.
