Jazz is back! BP

There are surely no better nights than those hot summer nights when Grožnjan and its surrounding area are bathed in the most beautiful sound of eternal Jazz.

This year's jazz festival JAZZ IS BACK! will take place in Grožnjan from July 13 till July 26.

The 2026 program brings together renowned names from the global jazz scene, including Luis Bonilla, Michael Philip Mossman, Alex Sipiagin, Dave Tull, Boris Kozlov, John Riley, Hector Martignon, Tim Armacost, and other internationally recognized artists, including Grammy winners. Strong representation is also given to Croatian and regional musicians, achieving a balance between global excellence and the national scene, further positioning Grožnjan on the European map of significant jazz festivals. The audience will also enjoy performances by Balkan Zoo and Nina Ćorić, Exterminator ’81, the Ante Jeličić Quartet, Letizia Felluga, the TradinEthno Orchestra and Ethno Croatia, Exploding Pig, the JM World Jazz Orchestra, Big Band Bjelovar with a surprise guest, and more.

The festival has been on the scene since 1999, when it was first organized by the legendary Croatian musician Boško Petrović. It is also being held in the framework of the program of the International Cultural Centre of Croatian music youth in Grožnjan.

In 2008, the Grožnjan festival Jazz is Back! was proclaimed the best European small (boutique) jazz festival by the European Jazz Federation.

In 2010, the Municipality of Grožnjan and the sponsors who lent it their support, managed to organize the longest festival in Croatia to date. 30 concerts were held with performances of around 140 musicians from over 20 countries worldwide.

Every year, the jazz school of Croatian music youth, at which many now recognized jazz musicians first encountered jazz, is held simultaneously with the Jazz is Back! festival.

Relax in this tranquil city which lives at its own pace while some of the best jazz musicians from Croatia and abroad play their tunes.