Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek 2027: Dates, Line-Up, Tickets and What We Know
Last updated: 28 October 2026
Quick answer: Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek returns from Friday 19 to Sunday 21 March 2027 in the Franschhoek Valley, Western Cape. It is the second edition of the Swiss festival’s first African event. The festival has revealed its official 2027 poster, and organisers say programme details and the ticket on-sale date will be announced soon. No 2027 artists have been announced yet.
Key facts
| Event Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek 2027 |
| Edition | Second edition in South Africa |
| Dates | Friday, 19 March – Sunday, 21 March 2027 |
| Location | Franschhoek Valley, Cape Winelands, Western Cape, South Africa |
| Line-up | To be announced |
| Tickets | 2027 ticket-sale dates and prices to be announced. Check the official website for updates. |
| 2027 Poster | Created by Cape Town artist Michael Beckurts |
| Official Website | mjfsa.com |
| @mjffranschhoek |
What is new for 2027?
- The poster. The festival unveiled its official poster by 26-year-old Cape Town multi-disciplinary artist Michael Beckurts, which marks the start of the build-up to the second edition. thisability
- A bigger Sunday. New festival managing director Philip Beardwood says year two will be bigger, with Sunday becoming a fully fledged festival day rather than a comedown from Saturday night. timeslive
- The mix. The line-up will combine international heavyweights, South African stars and African greats, alongside the specially curated collaborations that were a highlight of the first festival. timeslive
- Still to come: the artists, the programme and the ticket on-sale date.
When is Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek 2027?
Friday 19 March to Sunday 21 March 2027. The dates were confirmed at the end of the first edition. The weekend falls at the start of autumn in the Cape, when weather is typically mild for outdoor concerts, though it can change, so check the forecast before you go.
What is Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek?
It is the African edition of the Montreux Jazz Festival, which began in Switzerland in 1967. Despite the name, the Franschhoek programme isn’t limited to traditional jazz. It mixes jazz, soul, R&B, electronic music and cross-genre collaborations, set among the town’s vineyards and mountains.
The festival also supports local creative development through community initiatives, including the Uncorked Music Academy and FRANCO, an arts and education organisation in Franschhoek.
What happened at the first edition (2026)?
The first Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek ran from 27 to 29 March 2026, presented by Nedbank. Almost 40 South African, African and international artists played across the town, including Róisín Murphy, Robert Glasper, Bilal, Thandiswa Mazwai, Mandisi Dyantyis and Kesivan Naidoo’s amaBig Band Experience. Other highlights included Ezra Collective, Matt Hansen and Wet Wet Wet. Grammy-winning vocalist Lalah Hathaway, pianist Tigran Hamasyan and Franschhoek ensemble Caleb Dlamini & Friends were added in the final announcement. Montreux Jazz Festival, Franschhoek 2027: Montreux Jazz Festival returns to Franschhoek with global ambition +2
Time Out reported a sold-out debut weekend, and the organisers said the final day sold out. Treat attendance claims as organiser-reported. timeout
Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek 2027 line-up
No 2027 artists have been announced. Last year’s line-up was released in stages:
| 2026 announcement | When |
|---|---|
| First artists | End of January 2026 (6 artists) |
| Second wave | 19 February 2026 (14 artists) |
| Final programme | First weeks of March 2026 |
If 2027 follows a similar pattern, expect announcements to roll out in stages before the March dates, but organisers haven’t confirmed a schedule. Follow mjfsa.com and @mjffranschhoek for the real announcements, and we’ll update this page.
Where will the festival take place?
In the Franschhoek Valley. In 2026 the festival used these stages:
- The Arches at the Huguenot Monument: 7,000 tickets in total, 5,000 general access and 2,000 hospitality mjfsa
- The Jazz Village in the historic church: a seated, intimate, jazz-centric stage with about 450 tickets per performance, ticketed per show. The surrounding Jazz Village precinct with food trucks, bars and markets was un-ticketed. mjfsa
Confirm the 2027 stages and capacities when the programme is released.
Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek 2027 tickets
The 2027 ticket on-sale date and prices haven’t been announced. For reference, in 2026:
- Tickets and passes were sold exclusively through Ticketmaster. mjfsa
- The Arches: “Prelude” general-access day passes, plus the Heineken Crescendo Lounge hospitality offering with day or weekend passes. Premium hospitality enquiries went to hospitality@mjfsa.com.
- The Jazz Village: tickets per show.
These options and prices may change for 2027, so check the official site. Avoid unofficial resale listings, and confirm that any ticket link comes from mjfsa.com or the festival’s official channels.
Planning your trip to Franschhoek
- Book accommodation early. Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Paarl fill up on festival weekends, especially once the line-up is out.
- Getting there from Cape Town: it is a road trip. In 2026, free park-and-ride options ran from Canal Walk, Somerset Mall and Eikestad Mall. Check whether they return in 2027. novanews
- Make a weekend of it: the town’s restaurants, wine estates and galleries are part of the appeal.
- Check the programme before booking travel, because stage times will determine which days you want.
Frequently asked questions
When is Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek 2027?
Friday 19 to Sunday 21 March 2027.
Where is it held?
In the Franschhoek Valley, Cape Winelands, Western Cape. The 2026 stages were The Arches at the Huguenot Monument and the Jazz Village in the historic church.
Has the 2027 line-up been announced?
No. Organisers say programme details will be announced soon. Last year’s line-up rolled out in stages from late January to early March.
When do tickets go on sale?
The on-sale date hasn’t been announced. Organisers say it will be announced soon.
Where can I buy tickets?
Through the official festival channels at mjfsa.com. In 2026, tickets were sold exclusively through Ticketmaster. Confirm the 2027 platform on the official site.
How much are tickets?
2027 prices haven’t been announced.
Is it only a jazz festival?
No. The programme also covers soul, R&B, electronic music and cross-genre collaborations.
Who played at the first edition?
Almost 40 artists, including Róisín Murphy, Robert Glasper with Bilal, Thandiswa Mazwai, Ezra Collective, Lalah Hathaway, Matt Hansen and Wet Wet Wet.
Who designed the 2027 poster?
Cape Town artist Michael Beckurts.
Is the festival going to be bigger in 2027?
The managing director says year two will be bigger, with Sunday becoming a full festival day.
Where can I follow updates?
At mjfsa.com and @mjffranschhoek.
