Jazz al Parque returns to Bogotá in September 2027 for its 30th annual edition, once again at Parque El Country in the Chapinero district. The festival is entirely free to attend and has been a fixture of the city’s cultural calendar since 1996, typically drawing tens of thousands of visitors across its two-day run.
The 2027 edition is expected to follow the established mid-September pattern - the 2026 festival ran on 12–13 September, the 2025 edition on 6–7 September, and the 2024 edition on 28–29 September. Specific dates for 2027 will be announced by Idartes (the Bogotá Institute for Arts) and the city’s Secretaría de Cultura in the months beforehand. The official announcement typically comes in July or August.
What Jazz al Parque Is
Since 1996, Jazz al Parque has positioned itself as the only large-scale free outdoor jazz festival in Latin America. It is part of the broader “Al Parque” festival series run by the Bogotá city government, which also includes Rock al Parque, Hip Hop al Parque, and Colombia al Parque.
The programming blends international headliners with Colombian and Latin American artists, emphasising the relationship between jazz and regional musical traditions - particularly the influence of cumbia, vallenato, and Afro-Colombian rhythms on the country’s contemporary jazz scene. Student ensembles from Bogotá’s music conservatories regularly open the programme, making it a genuine showcase of local emerging talent alongside established acts.
Recent editions have drawn artists from the US, Cuba, Brazil, France, and across Colombia. The 2026 programme featured a strong focus on the intersection of jazz with Latin American forms, reflecting a curatorial emphasis the festival has maintained since the mid-2010s.
The Venue: Parque El Country
Parque El Country, in the Chapinero Alto area, has hosted the festival in recent years and offers more space than the older downtown venues. The main stage is set up at one end of the park, with a standing area that comfortably holds several thousand people. Food stalls and vendors typically set up around the perimeter.
The park is accessible by TransMilenio - the closest stations are Calle 85 and Calle 76 on the Caracas corridor. Parking in the neighbourhood is limited during festival days; most attendees arrive by public transport. Entry to the park is free and no tickets are required.
Practical Tips for Visitors
Weather: September in Bogotá falls in the short dry season between the two rainy periods, though afternoon showers remain possible. Bring a light rain layer and layers for the evening - temperatures at Bogotá’s 2,600-metre altitude drop quickly once the sun sets.
Crowds: The festival attracts a broad cross-section of Bogotá residents, from families to university students to serious jazz enthusiasts. The atmosphere is relaxed and the crowd generally well-behaved. Pickpocketing at crowded events is a standard caution in Bogotá - keep valuables secured and be aware of your surroundings in the approach to the park.
Getting there from elsewhere in Colombia: September is a reasonable time to visit Bogotá from Medellín, Cartagena, or Cali - flights between Colombia’s major cities are short and affordable. Tours departing from Bogotá are also available if you want to combine the festival weekend with day trips to nearby destinations in Cundinamarca.
Accommodation: Hotels in Chapinero and Zona Rosa are closest to Parque El Country. Book in advance if you plan to be in Bogotá specifically for the festival weekend, as accommodation in the city can fill quickly around major events.
The 30th Anniversary Edition
The 2027 edition marks the 30th anniversary of Jazz al Parque, which launched in 1996 under the Mockus administration as part of a broader civic culture initiative. A milestone edition is likely to attract additional funding and programming ambition - recent anniversary editions have featured special retrospective elements and alumni performances. Travel insurance for Colombia is worth arranging before you fly if you’re visiting specifically for the festival.
Check the Idartes website and the Bogotá city portal (bogota.gov.co) for the official programme announcement, typically released 4–6 weeks before the event.