Renowned Montreux Jazz Festival comes to Franschhhoek

All you need to know: Headliners, ticket breakdown, park & ride

Last updated: Monday, 23 March 2026 

The pinnacle of international music festivals comes to Africa on 27-29 March 2026. The first-ever Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek will be an epic collaboration. Over three days, almost 40 artists will give genre-bending performances that span jazz, soul, amapiano, blues and pop, with a fusion of African influence in the lingering warmth of the late Cape summer. 

The programme includes everything from free family-friendly street performances along the Montreux Mile, packed with wine tastings, food trucks and bars spilling into the street, to legendary headliners like Matt Hansen, Robert Glasper with Lalah Hathaway and Bilal, Thandiswa Mazwai, Ezra Collective, Mandisi Dyantyis, and Róisín Murphy at The Arches main stage.

For the first time, Montreux Jazz Festival lands in Africa. Image: Montreux Jazz Festival

RENOWNED MONTREUX DEBUTS IN AFRICA

Born on the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland, the Montreux Jazz Festival has spent more than 60 years building a reputation as one of the most influential music festivals globally. 

Now, for the first time in its history, the festival lands in Africa in a setting that will inspire, not overwhelm, with mountains rising behind the stage, vineyards framing the view, and sound spilling from the outdoor amphitheatre.

While this may be its African debut, the continent has always been part of its story. African artists like Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba, Youssou N'Dour and Salif Keita have all performed on Montreux stages over the decades. The festival isn’t Africa being introduced to Montreux; it’s Montreux meeting Africa, properly, for the first time. 

Montreux Jazz Festival has spent over 60 years building a reputation as one of the most influential music festivals. Image: Montreux Jazz Festival

30+ ACTS SPANNING SOUL, BLUES, POP 

Each festival is jazz-inspired, but they are not limited by being genre-specific. Like jazz music itself, these festivals thrive on diversity, cultural connection and collaboration, and Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek will host close to 40 artists across two stages – The Arches and the Jazz Village – spanning jazz, soul, pop and contemporary African sounds. 

The Arches is the main stage – ticketed as a full day or weekend pass – while the Jazz Village is a single ticket platform so you can dip in and out of a programme of extraordinary performances and collaborations. 

Montreux Jazz Festival brings global legends and local stars together in Franschhoek. Image: Montreux Jazz Festival

HEADLINERS AT THE ARCHES (27-28 MARCH)

The centre point of the festival, The Arches is a stacked, open-air concert stage performed to spacious lawns at the Huguenot Monument, surrounded by mountains and the Montreux Mile, which will buzz with pop-up food trucks and restaurants bringing tables into the streets. 

Performances run on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 March with genre-defining artists. These include Matt Hansen, Robert Glasper featuring Lalah Hathaway and Bilal, Salif Keita (the Golden Voice of Africa), iconic Scottish pop band Wet Wet Wet and Irish singer Róisín Murphy, known for her adventurous take on electronic pop and disco. 

The lineup also includes South Africa's finest like Thandiswa Mazwai, Mandisi Dyantyis, and a rare guitar convergence by Billy Monama, Moss Mogale and Vusi Mahlasela. The Kesivan amaBig Band Experience is not to be missed—a 26-piece ensemble reimagining amapiano through acoustic jazz, led by drummer Kesivan Naidoo and featuring vocalists Boohle, Stogie T and BONJ.

Headliner Matt Hansen. Image: Montreux Jazz Festival 

INTIMATE & AFFORDABLE JAZZ VILLAGE (27-28 MARCH) 

The second stage, Jazz Village, offers an intimate and exploratory counterpoint to The Arches. Also happening on 27 and 28 March and hosted at the historic NG Church, the performances are small and powerful with limited capacity. 

Highlights include a rare meeting between maskandi master Madala Kunene and genre-fluid guitarist Sibusile Xaba, the acclaimed ensemble Kwanti Leeh! (featuring Herbie Tsoaeli, Andile Yenana, Ayanda Sikade, Msaki and Jesse Clegg, Sisonke Xonti) and the Kyle Shepherd Trio.

The programme also celebrates emerging talent: 17-year-old Franschhoek drumming prodigy Caleb Dlamini leads his ensemble, supported by festival legacy partner FRANCO, embodying Montreux's commitment to nurturing the next generation of African jazz voices.

While tickets for The Arches start from R2 250, Jazz Village tickets range from around R350 to R850, meaning you can experience a once-in-a-lifetime festival experience at a fraction of the cost. Tickets are sold per show and are separate from The Arches passes.

The Jazz Village will host a number of Intimate performances inside a historic church.  Image: Montreux Jazz Festival

FREE! SUNDAY SLOWDOWN (29 MARCH)

The festival comes to an end with the Sunday Slowdown on 29 March. With The Arches and Jazz Village stages closed, this is an unticketed experience along the Montreux Mile, a walkable corridor linking bars, food trucks and wine experiences from Franschhoek Vignerons. 

Expect pop-up performances from great acts like The Rivertones, Nomadic Orchestra, Major Voices Choir, Albert Frost, Uncorked Music Academy, Melorie Jane Quintet and more – with a special vinyl residency for the day from DJ Fred Spider, a longtime Montreux favourite, and DJ Protectionspel.

Sunday Slowdown is an unhurried end to a magical weekend of music. Image: Montreux Jazz Festival

PARKING & GETTING AROUND 

Franschhoek is a walkable village, and the Park & Ride option is the easiest way to get there. You can try wine tastings and stay for headline shows that run into the evening; you never need to worry about driving, parking or navigating busy festival traffic.

Park & Ride services run from Eikestad Mall, Somerset Mall and Canal Walk. Clear signage and staff will guide you to the Park & Ride departure area, where you check in with your pre-purchased Park & Ride ticket. 

The shuttle will then drop you off close to The Arches on Excelsior Road. Park & Ride tickets can be booked for Friday 27 March and Saturday 28 March. Departure times are 10am, 12pm and 2pm, and return times at 9pm, 11pm and 12:30 am. 

MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL TICKETS 

Sunday Slowdown is free, and tickets for The Jazz Village range from R350 to R850. Ticket options for The Arches include: 

• Prelude Pass. Gives you access to all performances at The Arches, lawns, food stalls and that in-the-crowd atmosphere. From R2 250 per person per day.

• Heineken Crescendo Lounge. Private entrance, premium views, live streaming, free Heineken, a buffet and private cash bar. From R6 900 per day or R12 650 for the weekend. 

• Adagio Terrace. The full luxury experience with curated food by Reuben Riffel, Franschhoek wines and exclusive lounge spaces, ideal if you’re making a full weekend of it. Price available on request, email hospitality@mjfsa.com. 

Park & Ride Tickets can be added to your show ticket on checkout. See all the Montreux Jazz Festival tickets here. 

There’s a range of festival tickets available. Image: Montreux Jazz Festival 

MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL FRANSCHHOEK 

From golden sunsets over the vineyards to world-class music spilling through the streets, Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek is an unmissable weekend and a celebration you won’t forget. This is Montreux’s first time in Africa, and your first chance to be part of it.

Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek is happening: Friday 27 to Sunday 29 March 2026
Find it: Huguenot Monument, Franschhoek
Book: TicketMaster
More info: Montreux Jazz Festival’s website

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