10 Days of World-Class Jazz Across the City
Experience the Melbourne International Jazz Festival 2025 from Oct 17–26. Discover must-see events, venues, and jazz legends performing near you.
What Is the Melbourne International Jazz Festival?
This October 17 to 26, 2025, the Melbourne International Jazz Festival (MIJF) will make its much-anticipated return as one of Australia’s biggest music festivals. MIJF began in 1998 and over time has become a central part of Melbourne’s cultural scene, inviting both excellent jazz musicians from overseas and talented Australians. All venues, big and small, make the city a dream for jazz enthusiasts.
No one is ever disappointed at this festival, whether you’ve been following jazz for a while or are only just discovering it.
Whether you’re a seasoned jazz enthusiast or just discovering the genre, this festival delivers unforgettable moments for all.
Melbourne Jazz Festival 2025 Dates and Locations
- Dates: October 17 – October 26, 2025
- Venues:
- Hamer Hall, Southbank
- 170 Russell, CBD
- The JazzLab, Brunswick
- Federation Square
- Multiple pop-up stages across the Melbourne CBD
The festival spans various iconic and accessible locations throughout Melbourne, ensuring there’s something near you no matter where you’re based.
Headline Acts You Can’t Miss
This year’s lineup promises to be one of the most impressive yet:
- Gregory Porter: The Grammy-winning jazz vocalist brings his deep, soulful voice to Hamer Hall on Friday, October 24.
- LETTUCE: The funk-jazz collective from Boston hits the stage at 170 Russell on Friday, October 24, promising an electrifying performance.
- Hiromi: The Piano Quintet: Renowned Japanese pianist Hiromi will team up with PUBLIQuartet for a rare collaboration on Sunday, October 26 at Hamer Hall.
- SOLUNE (Selene Messinis): As MIJF’s 2025 Take Note Jazz Leader, this Melbourne-based multi-instrumentalist will debut new compositions and lead educational workshops for budding jazz musicians across Victoria.
Why Melbourne Locals Love This Festival
The Melbourne International Jazz Festival is more than just a music event—it’s a community celebration. Locals embrace the festival for its:
- Free public performances at Federation Square and other iconic city spots
- Laneway jazz sessions bringing vibrancy to Melbourne’s famous alleyways
- School outreach programs and artist workshops supporting music education
- Showcases of local Melbourne artists, giving homegrown talent a global stage
For many, it’s a chance to explore the city in a whole new light, grooving to world-class jazz while discovering hidden corners of Melbourne.
Where to Stay and What to Eat During MIJF
If you’re visiting or just planning a jazz-filled staycation, here’s how to make the most of it:
Recommended Places to Stay
- Southbank: Close to Hamer Hall and the Arts Precinct
- CBD: Easy access to 170 Russell and public transport
- Fitzroy/Brunswick: Vibrant, artistic neighbourhoods near The JazzLab
Local Eats & Drinks
- Beneath Driver Lane: A speakeasy-style bar with great cocktails and live music
- Heartbreaker: Funky late-night bar near the CBD venues
- Stalactites or Jimmy Grants: Quick and delicious bites before your next gig
Don’t forget to try some local wine or coffee while exploring Melbourne’s renowned food scene.
How to Book Tickets
- Pre-sale: Began on April 4, 2025
- General Tickets: Available now via the official site
- Website: www.melbournejazz.com
- Ticket Options: Single event tickets, festival passes, VIP packages
Stay tuned for the full program announcement in August 2025, where even more artists and events will be revealed!
Experience the Soul of Melbourne This October
Melbourne enjoys a rich music scene and the International Jazz Festival is the best example of that. You can watch Gregory Porter perform under the Hamer Hall lights or dance along to local performers in laneways and MIJF 2025 will give you ten days filled with exciting rhythm and soul.
Ready to groove to the smoothest sounds in town? Book your tickets for the Melbourne International Jazz Festival 2025 and experience world-class jazz right here in Melbourne!