Mérida is getting ready to welcome a new edition of the Mérida Jazz Festival 2026, a musical event bringing together national and international artists from November 18 to 22. Over five days, the Yucatán capital will host concerts, masterclasses, panel discussions, and cultural activities designed to bring jazz closer to residents and visitors.
The festival’s second edition will bring together 40 musicians and 12 musical projects from Mexico, the United States, France, the Netherlands, and Cuba. Its program features a wide range of styles, from contemporary jazz to funk, soul, Afro-Cuban music, electronic music, and traditional Mexican sounds.
In addition, admission to the announced activities will be free, making the festival an opportunity to enjoy Mérida’s cultural scene throughout November.
The festival will take place from Wednesday, November 18, through Sunday, November 22, 2026, with activities held at parks, universities, and cultural centers throughout the city.
Featured venues include Santa Ana Park and La Mejorada Park, which will host outdoor concerts. Academic activities and musical gatherings will also take place at venues such as the Olimpo Cultural Center, Universidad Modelo, the University of the Arts of Yucatán, and the José Martí Cultural Center.
The program combines evening concerts with educational activities and gatherings dedicated to musical creation.
7:00 p.m. | Concert at La Mejorada Park
The opening day of the festival will feature performances by Carlos Rodríguez, 3SOME, and Mario Esquivel. Audiences will have the opportunity to discover contemporary jazz and fusion, featuring musicians from Mexico and the Netherlands. An additional event will take place at 11:00 a.m. in the video room at the Olimpo Cultural Center, featuring the presentation of the album My First and a discussion of 3SOME’s experience.
7:00 p.m. | Concert at La Mejorada Park
The musical lineup includes Gina Osorno, Voice Prints, Erik Deutsch, and Mexica No Jazz. Throughout the day, activities related to musical composition will also take place, along with the presentation of Músicos de a pie, a book by Mariano Aparicio, at the José Martí Cultural Center. These activities offer an opportunity to explore jazz not only through live performances but also through its creative processes and the experiences of those who contribute to its development.
7:00 p.m. | Concert at Santa Ana Park
The lineup features Conejo Eléctrico, FŒHN Trio, and Allison, Cardenas, Nash & Wilson. The evening brings together styles that explore contemporary jazz, improvisation, electronic music, and the interplay between acoustic instruments and modern sounds. In the morning, the program includes a talk by American pianist and composer Erik Deutsch at the University of the Arts of Yucatán.
7:00 p.m. | Concert at Santa Ana Park
The lineup features Emmanuel Mora Organ Trio, Cubambú with Carlos Averhoff Jr., and Sy Smith. It will be an opportunity to enjoy performances that connect jazz with soul, Afro-Cuban music, and contemporary instrumental experimentation. A morning talk by American double bassist and composer Ben Allison is also scheduled at Disonante Refugio Sónico.
The festival concludes with a program that brings together music, community gatherings, and cultural activities at various venues throughout Mérida.
Important: The shared program document lists a concert at 7:00 p.m. at Santa Ana Park on this date, featuring Emmanuel Mora Organ Trío, Cubambú–Carlos Averhoff Jr., and Sy Smith. It is advisable to consult the updated official program to confirm any changes to schedules or activities.
One of the festival’s main attractions is the diversity of its musical offerings. Here are some of the artists and musical projects featured in the announced program.
His contemporary jazz style features original compositions influenced by bebop, funk, and traditional Mexican music, creating a sound connected to the musical identity of southeastern Mexico.
This trio from Rotterdam, the Netherlands, combines progressive jazz, funk, and elements of urban music. Their sound stands out for its energy and exploration of new musical styles.
A Yucatecan singer, songwriter, and artist, Gina Osorno has built a career spanning genres such as jazz, blues, funk, and soul.
This project blends contemporary jazz with traditional Mexican music, incorporating influences from son jarocho and Afro-Mexican musical roots.
A band from Mérida that combines contemporary jazz, funk, soul, and Latin rhythms through an energetic style centered on improvisation.
Cuban saxophonist Carlos Averhoff Jr. takes part in a project rooted in contemporary Afro-Cuban jazz, bringing together improvisation and the rhythms of Cuban music.
An American singer, songwriter, and producer, Sy Smith is known for blending jazz, neo-soul, funk, and R&B into a contemporary vocal style.
Before attending, it is advisable to check the official program for schedules and any updates.
Where can you find the full program?
You can consult official information on the Mérida City Council website: https://www.merida.gob.mx/
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