Garda Jazz Festival
International jazz amidst the lakes, castles, and olive groves of Garda Trentino
About Garda Jazz
The Garda Jazz Festival
The Garda Jazz Festival is one of the most anticipated musical events of the summer in Garda Trentino, located in the province of Trento, in the autonomous region of Trentino-Alto Adige. Established in the early 2000s and organized by the Scuola Musicale Alto Garda (SMAG), the festival has grown into a traveling event that, for about two weeks, distributes concerts and musical gatherings across the municipalities of Arco, Riva del Garda, Torbole sul Garda, Tenno, Dro, and Nago.
Music and Landscape
The festival's signature is the encounter between high-level jazz and the most beautiful locations in the Upper Garda region: castles, medieval villages, river parks, olive groves, natural wine cellars, and terraces overlooking the lake become open-air stages. The program alternates between major ticketed evening concerts and numerous free events, including Jazz Cafés hosted in local venues, educational workshops, and activities designed for younger audiences and families.
The Castle of Arco and the Jazz Cafés
In Arco, the festival finds one of its most scenic backdrops: the Castle, which overlooks the town from above and is reached via a fifteen-minute walk through the olive grove, hosts some of the headline concerts. In case of bad weather, the event moves to the Municipal Casino. In the heart of the historic center, the Jazz Cafés bring live music to informal settings like the Impavida craft brewery and the Sottotetto Urban Space, with free admission.
A Local Festival
The Garda Jazz Festival enjoys the support of the Trentino-Alto Adige Region, the Autonomous Province of Trento, and the participating municipalities, which recognize it as a cultural excellence capable of enhancing the identity of the territory. Each edition revolves around a theme: after "Reflections" in 2025, the 2026 edition is titled "De Rerum Natura" and offers a musical journey ranging from swing to funk-fusion, from contemporary jazz to afrobeat and pop influences.
Why Attend
- Concerts by Italian and international artists in unique Garda Trentino locations
- Numerous free events and Jazz Cafés in local Arco venues
- Free admission for those under 18 to ticketed concerts and discounts for under 27s
- Workshops, family activities, and educational moments curated by SMAG
Garda Jazz — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Garda Jazz Festival, the 27th, revolves around the theme "De Rerum Natura": music as a universal language and a meeting space. The festival opens on July 27 in Torbole with the Greg & Zooma Zooma Jive Band, a tribute to the world of Louis Prima, and closes on August 9 at the Palacongressi in Riva del Garda with the voice of British singer Emma Smith.
In Arco, the festival offers three events: on July 28, the Jazz Café with Electric Circus at the Impavida brewery (free admission), on July 29, the Luca de Toni Trio at the Sottotetto Urban Space (free admission), and on August 1, the concert by Spanish bassist Vincen García, a star of international funk-fusion, at the Castle of Arco (ticketed, access on foot along the olive grove). Other highlights of the edition include the Joey Calderazzo Trio and Fabrizio Bosso with Julian Oliver Mazzariello in a tribute to Pino Daniele, both in Riva del Garda.
Programme Garda Jazz 2026
2026 Program (selection)
- July 27 - Greg & Zooma Zooma Jive Band, Torbole (Parco Colonia Pavese), 9:00 PM, free
- July 28 - Electric Circus (Jazz Café), Arco, Impavida brewery, 9:00 PM, free
- July 29 - Luca de Toni Trio (Jazz Café), Arco, Sottotetto Urban Space, 9:00 PM, free
- August 1 - Vincen García, Arco, Castle, 9:00 PM, ticketed
- August 2 - Joey Calderazzo Trio, Riva del Garda, Palacongressi, 9:00 PM, ticketed
- August 8 - Fabrizio Bosso & Julian Oliver Mazzariello (tribute to Pino Daniele), Riva del Garda, Palacongressi, 9:00 PM, ticketed
- August 9 - Emma Smith, Riva del Garda, Palacongressi, 9:00 PM, ticketed
Highlights Garda Jazz 2026
Prices Garda Jazz 2026
Practical information — Garda Jazz
Getting There
Arco is located in the province of Trento, at the northern end of Lake Garda. By car: take the A22 motorway exit at Rovereto Sud, then the SS240 towards Riva del Garda/Arco. By train: arrive at Rovereto station, then take the local bus to the Upper Garda area. Nearest airports: Verona Villafranca and Bergamo Orio al Serio.
Tickets
Many events are free (Jazz Cafés, some outdoor concerts, and workshops). Main concerts require tickets: available at trentinospettacoli.it. Free admission for those under 18 to ticketed concerts, with discounts for under 27s.
Tips
For the concert at the Castle of Arco, wear comfortable shoes: access is on foot along the olive grove path (about 15 minutes). Always check the updated program and any changes due to bad weather on the website gardajazz.com.
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Where does it take place — Garda Jazz
Castello di Arco