The 19th Jazz Showcase runs January 30 to February 1 as a special edition, spotlighting the Hungarian–Serbian cultural season with a stacked, cross-border lineup. Expect powerhouse drummer-bandleader Vladimir Kostadinović with his quartet, a star-studded Jazz Showcase Big Band, and the genre-bending Okvsho stirring up fresh grooves. It’s one of Central Europe’s most important talent markets, and it’s doubling down on new voices, new bands, and the next wave of jazz from the region.
Rising Stars, Big-Stage Energy
As ever, the festival throws its doors open to young ensembles hungry to make their mark. The afternoon concerts at the Festival Theatre are free, making it the perfect crash course for curious newcomers and crate-digging veterans alike. From hard-swinging modernism to glossy big-band arrangements and electronic-leaning rhythms, the Showcase serves up a three-day sampler of where jazz is headed—loud, live, and right now.
When and Where
Dates: Friday, January 30–Sunday, February 1, 2026. Venue: Festival Theatre and main stages at Palace of Arts (Müpa Budapest). Cover photo: Zsolt Hlinka – Müpa.
