Jazz lovers adore this seaside festival, celebrating music across three days with hundreds of musicians and performers and in 2022 it’s the big, (belated) four – zero.

Yes, the Merimbula Jazz Festival is finally turning 40 !! A remarkable achievement for a small seaside town in southern NSW!

Every Queen’s Birthday weekend, Merimbula is the home of the “Festival for Musicians” – great musicians and their jazz music create memorable Merimbula Jazz Festivals.

The festival was born in 1980, during an impromptu Sunday afternoon gig at Merimbula’s Fishpen, the next year it began in earnest and now includes all styles of jazz from traditional, ragtime, big bands, swing, mainstream, modern and funk. Features of the weekend are the Jazz Street Parade and Concert, Saturday night Jazz Quest and the late-night jam session which has the town rocking until well into the wee hours.

Such a welcoming location, marvellous venues, the ongoing support of so many musicians, the solid base provided by the Festival’s founders, the assistance of local volunteers and sponsors, and, of course, the support of Jazz Lovers who come from far and wide.