The Saint-Louis Jazz Festival is Senegal's major jazz festival, held every spring on the island of Saint-Louis, in the north of the country. For five days, concerts, Off stages and meetings bring the old town to life. The 35th edition, the Saint-Louis Jazz Festival 2027, is announced for May 4 to 8, 2027, on the theme “Back to Africa.”
Origins and meaning of Saint-Louis Jazz
The festival was born in the early 1990s in the former capital of French West Africa, whose historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is run by the Saint-Louis Jazz association, chaired by Idriss Benjelloun. According to the Senegalese press agency (APS), it has ranked among the world's major jazz festivals since 2016.
The list of musicians who have played in Saint-Louis tells its story: Manu Dibango, Randy Weston, Lucky Peterson, Marcus Miller, Herbie Hancock, as well as Cheikh Lô, Baaba Maal and Youssou Ndour. The festival values this dialogue between jazz and the music of West Africa.
In this three-hundred-year-old city, jazz is not a guest; it is at home.
In 2026, the association submitted Saint-Louis's bid to host International Jazz Day 2027, celebrated every April 30 under the auspices of UNESCO.
What you see during the festival
The heart of the festival is the “In” stage, set up on Place Baya in the historic center. Concerts there start in the evening: in 2026, the headliners played at 9 p.m. Other stages host the Off, and the city also offers exhibitions, masterclasses and jam sessions, according to Le Soleil.
The 2026 edition, the 34th, gives an idea of the lineup:
| Evening | Artists (2026) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday, May 13 | Kuba Stankiewicz, Polish pianist |
| Thursday, May 14 | Greg Lamy Trio, jazz guitar |
| During the festival | Momi Maïga, kora, and his quartet |
| During the festival | Jam Jazz, then Orchestra Baobab |
The concert by Orchestra Baobab, a Senegalese band formed in the 1970s, drew a large crowd to Place Baya according to Ndarinfo, with an audience of both Saint-Louis residents and foreign visitors. A crafts and trade fair runs alongside, with exhibitors from Mali, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon and Morocco among others.
Our advice
The In concerts take place in the evening, and the square fills up quickly for the headliners. Eat early and arrive before the first concert starts if you want to see the stage.
Dates and places
| Edition | Dates | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| 34th (2026) | May 13 to 17 | the link between jazz and Africa |
| 35th (2027) | May 4 to 8 | “Back to Africa” |
The 2027 dates were announced in September 2026 by the website Au Sénégal. The detailed lineup and prices had not yet been published as of mid-October 2026.
Everything happens on the island of Saint-Louis, linked to the mainland by the Faidherbe Bridge. The 2026 poster showed it, in fact, with the red brick of the old town and a trumpet player.
Attending
Entry requirements. Depending on your nationality, you may or may not need a visa: check your case on our Senegal entry requirements page. French passport holders do not need one for a stay of less than three months. Your passport must be valid for more than six months.
Accommodation. Places to stay on the island are in high demand during the festival. Book several months ahead, or look off the island.
Getting there. Saint-Louis is reached from Dakar by road. Avoid driving at night between towns: France Diplomatie (the French foreign ministry's travel advice) points out that road accidents are very common in Senegal.
Climate. In May, it is still the dry season, which runs from November to May.
Watch out
On the Grande Côte, around Saint-Louis, the sea is dangerous and often unsupervised, according to France Diplomatie. Do not go swimming after an evening concert, and keep an eye on your belongings in the crowd.
Also check your own government's travel advice. For the rest of your trip, see our Senegal guide and the other festivals in Senegal.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Saint-Louis Jazz Festival held every year?
Yes, in the spring, usually in May. In 2027, it is announced for May 4 to 8.
Do the concerts cost money?
Prices for 2027 had not been published as of mid-October 2026. Check with the Saint-Louis Jazz association.
How many days should you plan?
The festival lasts five days. Two or three evenings let you see several headliners and enjoy the city during the day.
