The City of Derry Jazz & Big Band Festival runs from Wednesday 29 April to Monday 4 May 2026 across venues in Derry's walled city. Organisers introduced the Guinness Jazz Trail to guide visitors through the programme. The event marks its 25th year and features local and international jazz performers.

Hundreds of performers appear at dozens of venues with jazz, big bands, outdoor gigs, New Orleans-style parades, and music and dance workshops. Thousands of visitors attend the six-day event. Derry City and Strabane District Council delivers the festival with support from Diageo, Visit Derry, and Share Energy.

Diageo sponsors the Guinness Jazz Trail. Mark Mulholland, Head of Commercial NI at Diageo, stated the company supports the anniversary to highlight the North West's cultural scene and the city's hospitality sector.

Free masterclasses form part of the programme at venues including Bennigans Bar, the Guildhall, the Playhouse, and St Columb’s Hall. Bennigans Bar hosts sessions led by Hannes Riepler, Sylvie Noble, Camille Rose, and Riley Stone-Lonergan. The bar's newly renovated studio hosts these masterclasses for the first time.

Hannes Riepler leads a jazz guitar masterclass on Friday 1 May focusing on improvisation and repertoire. Sylvie Noble and Camille Rose host a vocal masterclass on Saturday 2 May. Riley Stone-Lonergan and Phil Robson present a saxophone and group improvisation session on Sunday 3 May.

John Leighton from Bennigans Bar noted the masterclasses offer skills in improvisation, performance, and jazz creation to musicians, singers, students, and others. The studio will open to artists for rehearsals, recordings, and content creation after the festival. Tickets are required for the free masterclasses.

The full programme and tickets appear on the festival website.