Jazz in Duketown is one of the most extraordinary festivals in the Netherlands: for three days, the squares, streets and alleyways of ‘s-Hertogenbosch fill with live music — and it won’t cost you a penny. Every Whitsun weekend, the historic city centre of Den Bosch transforms into one giant open-air stage. The 2027 edition takes place from Friday 14 to Sunday 16 May 2027.
The festival began in 1962 as a modest jazz evening on the Markt and has grown into the largest free open-air jazz festival in the Netherlands, attracting an average of 130,000 to 150,000 visitors per edition. On more than 10 stages spread throughout the city centre, national and international artists perform — from established names to promising new talent.
The music goes beyond jazz in the strict sense. The programme also includes soul, funk, blues and cross-overs, making Jazz in Duketown accessible to everyone — whether you are a seasoned jazz fan or simply fancy a lively day out in a beautiful city. Pop-up bands appear in alleyways and on street corners, and the local bars and restaurants join in with live music throughout the city.
What makes the festival truly special is the atmosphere: you stroll from stage to stage through the historic city centre, with the Parade, the Markt and the Kerkplein as your main anchors. There is a dedicated Kidzzplein on Saturday afternoon — making the festival ideal for families too. Jazz in Duketown is run entirely by volunteers and is free to attend.
The full line-up for 2027 will be announced later at jazzinduketown.nl. Previous editions have welcomed international talent such as Chris Potter, Lakecia Benjamin, Ida Nielsen, Gregory Porter and Candy Dulfer.
📅 Date: 14–16 May 2027
📍 Location: City centre ‘s-Hertogenbosch, North Brabant
🎟️ Admission: Free
🌐 Website: jazzinduketown.nl