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Chicago Celebrates Its 2026 Annual Winter Jazz Fair
- Marshelle Sanders
- Jan 22
- 2 min read
The Chicago Cultural Center Welcomes Thousands of Global Jazz Enthusiasts
While summer is often synonymous with festival season, the Jazz Institute of Chicago invites music lovers to experience that same vibrant energy in the heart of winter.
On Friday, February 20, 2026, the Jazz Institute of Chicago will host its annual Winter Jazz Fair at the Chicago Cultural Center, located at 78 E. Washington Street in downtown Chicago.
“The Winter Jazz Fair is one of the most special moments of our year because it brings the jazz community together under one roof,” said Heather Ireland Robinson, executive director of the Jazz Institute of Chicago. “This fair has celebrated Chicago’s extraordinary jazz legacy while creating space for connection, learning, and discovery. It reflects who we are as an organization, rooted in history, committed to access, and deeply invested in the future of jazz.”
Doors open at 11:30 a.m., with programming running continuously throughout the day and into the evening, concluding just after 9:30 p.m. A $10 suggested donation provides full-day access to all performances and talks. Proceeds support the Jazz Institute of Chicago and its mission-driven programs, many of which are offered free to the public year-round.
Though February may bring cold temperatures, the Winter Jazz Fair radiates warmth. In celebrating Chicago’s jazz community, its rich history, and its ongoing cultural importance, the Jazz Institute of Chicago’s signature indoor festival offers a welcoming space for connection, discovery, and artistic exchange.
“What makes the Winter Jazz Fair unique is the breadth of voices represented,” said John Foster, Managing Director of Programs and Education Initiatives at the Jazz Institute of Chicago. “From legendary artists to the next generation of musicians, the fair creates meaningful dialogue between past, present, and future. It’s not just a showcase, but it’s an opportunity to experience the full continuum of Chicago jazz in one place.”
A FULL SLATE OF PERFORMANCES AND TALKS
This year’s Winter Jazz Fair will feature an expansive lineup of Chicago-based artists, ensembles, and thought leaders, including:
Robert Irving III
Bobbi Wilsyn
Velvet Lounge Jam Session led by Isaiah Spencer
Gustavo Cortiñas
Swan Brothers Collective
Jazz Links Ensemble
The fair will also feature a vendor fair, providing attendees with the opportunity to engage with local organizations, artists, and businesses connected to Chicago’s broader jazz community.