The 18th Seoul Jazz Festival kicks off tomorrow (May 22) at Olympic Park and runs through Sunday, May 24. Here's the no-fluff guide.
The Short Version
- Dates: May 22–24, 2026
- Venue: Seoul Olympic Park, Songpa-gu
- Subway: Line 5 Olympic Park Station Exit 3 (5-min walk)
- Tickets: Mostly sold out — Friday single-day (189,000 KRW) check Melon Ticket for cancellations
Lineup Highlights by Day
Friday May 22 — Janelle Monáe (headliner), Arturo Sandoval, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, DxS (SEVENTEEN unit), CNBLUE, Jang Beom June
Saturday May 23 — Jon Batiste (headliner), FKJ, Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles, Epik High, Yerin Baek, PREP, NCT's Taeyong & Haechan
Sunday May 24 — Herbie Hancock (headliner), Of Monsters and Men, Ella Mai, Hyukoh, Silica Gel, Wave to Earth
Practical Tips for Foreigners
- Mobile ticket only — Melon Ticket app QR code. Bring a power bank. Dead phone = no entry.
- Picnic rules: Blankets up to 1.2m×1.2m OK. No outside alcohol, glass bottles, or cans. Sealed food containers are fine.
- Skip the car — parking exit after concerts is a nightmare. Subway is the only smart option.
- Arrive early for the main stage — May Forest (88 Lawn) is first-come for picnic spots.
- 4 stages — May Forest (outdoor main), Sparkling Dome (indoor large), Pink Avenue (seated indoor), Spring Garden (small outdoor)
Is It Worth It If You're Not a Jazz Fan?
Honestly? Yes. The lineup is more soul/R&B/indie than pure jazz. Jon Batiste, Janelle Monáe, Of Monsters and Men, Hyukoh — this is a great music festival that happens to be called a jazz festival.
Full lineup and stage schedule: Seoul Jazz Festival 2026 on knewsdaily.com
