Christchurch Big Band Jazz Festival

The Christchurch Big Band Jazz Festival fills Ōtautahi with music every Labour Weekend.

For five days the city comes alive with swinging horns, street performances, parades, concerts, and dancing, as thousands of people gather to enjoy one of Christchurch’s most vibrant musical celebrations.

Running since 2006, the festival brings together community bands, school groups, students, and professional musicians from across New Zealand for a joyful celebration of the Big Band sound. From classic swing and jazz standards to modern funk and pop, the music spills into the streets, parks, venues, and public spaces of the city.

With over 60 performances by more than 500 musicians in 20+ bands, most of them free and happening throughout the CBD, the festival invites everyone to experience the energy of live music — whether you’re dancing, discovering jazz for the first time, or simply enjoying the atmosphere.

It’s music for everyone.
It’s music for the city.
It’s Christchurch in full swing.

Featured Events

TNT!

Fri, 23 Oct, 6pm – 7:45pm

The Piano Christchurch

TNT! – Where Big Band Meets Te Ao Māori

Experience a thrilling musical collaboration at the Christchurch Big Band Jazz Festival. TNT! combines the explosive power of big band jazz with the mana, rhythmic energy and lyrical beauty of waiata Māori in a bold and inspiring concert.

Conceived by drummer and māngai Māori, Greg Crayford, it features Wellington’s Capital City Big Band, with bespoke arrangements by Vaughn Roberts, featuring acclaimed vocalist Lisa Tomlins with her rōpū kaiwaiata, TNT! presents an exciting programme of newly commissioned works, beloved waiata, and jazz classics reimagined in Te Reo Māori.

Event Details & Tickets

Partners in Swing

Fri, 23 Oct, 8pm – 10pm

Altiora, The Arts Centre

Step onto the dance floor and experience the shared joy of swing at this unique collaboration between The Christchurch Big Band Jazz Festival and the Swing Dance Community. Featuring the Silverlocks Jazz Orchestra, Partners in Swing celebrates the vibrant connection between live big band music and swing dancing.

Whether you’re an experienced dancer or simply love the energy of live jazz, you’ll be swept up in the rhythm, excitement, and community spirit that make swing so enduringly popular. Join us in the beautiful heritage setting of Altiora at Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre for this highlight event of the 20th Christchurch Big Band Jazz Festival 2026.

Event Details & Tickets

Dan Costa and
The Bill Martin Big Band

Sat, 24 Oct, 5pm – 6pm

The Piano Christchurch

The Dunedin Jazz Club and the Christchurch Big Band Festival present a unique artistic collaboration between internationally acclaimed Latin jazz pianist and composer Dan Costa and Dunedin-based musical director Bill Martin.

Building on the success of Costa’s 2024 Chamber Music New Zealand tour of Aotearoa, Costa and Martin will further develop their creative partnership through performances of six compositions from Costa’s critically acclaimed album Suite Três Rios, arranged for big band by Martin. The programme will feature newly commissioned big band arrangements of Bossa Nova, Samba, and Alba, alongside three existing arrangements, creating a compelling six-movement Latin jazz suite.

Event Details & Tickets

Big Band Birthday Bash – celebrating 20 years

Sat, 24 Oct, 7.30 – 10pm

Isaac Theatre Royal

Join us for a spectacular evening as we celebrate 20 years of the Christchurch Big Band Jazz Festival.

Symposium Big Band is one of Christchurch’s premier large jazz ensembles and is widely regarded as a showcase group for some of New Zealand’s top jazz musicians. Formed in 2007, the band brings together professional performers, jazz educators, and leading players from across Aotearoa under the direction of Alex van den Broek.

The second half features the acclaimed All Girl Big Band for a high-energy concert featuring swinging classics, contemporary favourites and plenty of big band magic.

The evening will also feature special guest appearances from the Swing Town Rebels and beloved jazz vocalist Erna Ferry.

Whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or are discovering the festival for the first time, this is a celebration not to be missed. Help us toast 20 years of jazz, community and unforgettable music.

Event Details & Tickets

The Big Band Ball

Sun, 25 Oct, 7:30pm – 10:30pm

Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū

Join us at the stunning Christchurch Art Gallery on Sunday 25 October 2026, from 7.30pm–10.30pm, for a night of dancing, dazzling performances and unforgettable festival magic. Dust off your dancing shoes and celebrate 20 years of big band in style!

Featuring three incredible bands – Butch Green’s Sideline Swing, the vibrant Whanganui Jazz Orchestra led by Riwai Hina, and, of course, the Festival All Star Big Band assembled by the incomparable Lana Law – this is one event you won’t want to miss.

With delicious food available from The Chippy on the forecourt and the Jazz Festival Bar on hand to keep the celebrations flowing, all you need to bring is your dancing shoes and your love of great music.

Join us for an unforgettable night of swing, celebration and big band brilliance as we celebrate 20 years of the Christchurch Big Band Jazz Festival!

Event Details & Tickets