FestiJazz Mompox 2026 in Colombia: Free Jazz Festival Fills a UNESCO Colonial Town September 3–5
Key Facts
- Dates. Main program Thursday, September 3 to Saturday, September 5, 2026, with warm-up activities already running since September 1.
- Venues. Plazas and cultural spaces across Mompox: Parque del Jazz, Claustro San Agustín and other historic corners of the town.
- Entry. Free — all concerts are open to the public.
- Lineup. Jazz acts from France, Italy and Colombia, plus the ‘Río de Gente’ cultural parade, the Street Jazz showcase, a crafts fair and the Festival del Frito celebrating local fried-food cuisine.
- Solidarity edition. This year’s festival carries a charitable purpose: supporting victims of the recent earthquake in Colombia.
FestiJazz Mompox 2026 transforms the UNESCO World Heritage town of Santa Cruz de Mompox, Colombia, into one big open-air jazz club from September 3 to 5 — with free entry to all concerts, musicians from France, Italy and Colombia, and a solidarity mission supporting victims of Colombia’s recent earthquake.
For expats and travelers in Colombia, it is one of the most atmospheric cultural weekends of the year: jazz in colonial plazas, street parades and river-front food fairs in the legendary ‘Tierra de Dios’ on the Magdalena River.
FestiJazz Mompox 2026: Jazz With a Mission
The 2026 edition of Mompox’s jazz festival blends music, art, literature and gastronomy with a solidarity goal: standing with the victims of the earthquake that struck Colombia earlier this year. Warm-up activities began on September 1 with ‘Bolívar Late’ roaming dance and music workshops ahead of the main three-day program.
International guests from France and Italy perform alongside Colombian musicians in venues such as the Parque del Jazz and the cloisters of San Agustín, while the closing night features young musicians from the Mompox Jazz Camp, a training program run with EMMAT, a Berklee Global Partner institution.
More Than Concerts: Parades, Crafts and Fried Food
Beyond the stages, the program includes the ‘Río de Gente’ cultural parade, the popular Street Jazz performances in public spaces, a Feria Artesanal with local crafts, and the Festival del Frito — a homage to the fried snacks of Colombia’s Caribbean river culture.
The mix has made FestiJazz the most important cultural event in the department of Bolívar and a driver of heritage tourism for a town that has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995.
Why Mompox Belongs on Every Expat’s Colombia List
Santa Cruz de Mompox is one of the best-preserved colonial towns in South America — a place where time seems to have stopped in the 18th century, with whitewashed churches, filigree jewelry workshops and rocking chairs on every porch.
During festival days the usually sleepy town fills with visitors from across Colombia and abroad, so the experience combines world-class jazz with one of the country’s most photogenic historic settings.
Getting There and Where to Stay
Mompox lies in southern Bolívar department, roughly six hours by road from Cartagena; most visitors arrive via El Banco or Magangué with river crossings along the way.
Book early: hotels and colonial guesthouses fill quickly for festival weekend. Pack light clothing — Mompox is hot year-round — and plan walks for mornings and late afternoons.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is FestiJazz Mompox 2026?
The main program runs September 3–5, 2026, in Santa Cruz de Mompox, Colombia, with pre-festival activities from September 1.
How much does FestiJazz Mompox cost?
Nothing — entry to the festival’s concerts is free and open to the public.
Who performs at FestiJazz Mompox 2026?
Jazz musicians from France, Italy and Colombia, plus street jazz performances, the ‘Río de Gente’ parade and closing concerts by the Mompox Jazz Camp ensembles.
Why is Mompox famous?
Santa Cruz de Mompox, on Colombia’s Magdalena River, is a UNESCO World Heritage colonial town known for its preserved architecture, filigree jewelry and slow river-port atmosphere.
Connected Coverage
Also free this season in Colombia: Jazz al Parque takes over Bogotá’s Parque El Country on September 12–13.
Sources: Canal Trece, Fundación Salvi (reported August 30–31, 2026).
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