Chicago Chosen to Host 15th Annual International Jazz Day as Herbie Hancock Brings Global Celebration Home
CHICAGO — Chicago will take center stage in the global jazz world in April 2026, as the city hosts the 15th Annual International Jazz Day, an event created by legendary pianist Herbie Hancock and recognized by the United Nations. The month-long celebration will include performances, educational programs, and community events across the city, culminating in a globally broadcast concert at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
The announcement marks a full-circle moment for Hancock, who was born and raised in Chicago and first discovered jazz as a student at Hyde Park Academy.
A Global Jazz Celebration Returns to Hancock’s Hometown
International Jazz Day was unanimously adopted by the United Nations in 2011 through UNESCO, following Hancock’s vision of using jazz as a tool for cultural diplomacy, education, and peace. Since its launch in New Orleans, the celebration has traveled to cities including Paris, Havana, Istanbul, Sydney, Tangier, and most recently Abu Dhabi.
Chicago’s 2026 edition is expected to be the largest and most ambitious Jazz Day celebration to date, according to organizers at the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz. Last year’s global concert drew more than 250 million viewers worldwide, highlighting the event’s massive international reach.
All-Star Global Concert Planned at Lyric Opera
The celebration will culminate with an All-Star Global Concert at the Lyric Opera, featuring more than 40 artists from around the world. The concert will be broadcast live internationally, placing Chicago at the center of a worldwide cultural moment.
Artists already confirmed for the 2026 program include Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jacob Collier, Renée Fleming, Christian McBride, Robert Glasper, Dianne Reeves, Jahari Stampley, and Lizz Wright, among others.
Education and Youth Programs at the Heart of the Event
Beyond the main concert, International Jazz Day in Chicago will feature a month-long series of workshops, school programs, and community events, with a strong focus on youth engagement and music education.
A highlight of the 2026 celebration will be a special event at Hyde Park Academy, Hancock’s alma mater, where he first experienced jazz as a teenager. Organizers said the program will bring international artists to the school to engage with students and highlight how a single moment of inspiration can change a life.
City and State Leaders Celebrate Chicago’s Jazz Legacy
Local and state leaders joined organizers at a Chicago Cultural Center press conference to announce the event, emphasizing Chicago’s deep roots in jazz history. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker called the celebration a recognition of Chicago’s lasting influence on American music, while Mayor Brandon Johnson highlighted the city’s role in nurturing generations of jazz innovators.
Chicago’s legacy includes artists such as Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole, and Cab Calloway, many of whom built their careers in the city.
Herbie Hancock: ‘A Dream Come True’
In a recorded message shared with Chicagoans, Hancock reflected on discovering jazz as a student and how that moment shaped his life and career.
“Jazz opened doors for me to creativity, to self-expression, and to freedom,” Hancock said. “My hope is that International Jazz Day in Chicago will inspire young artists the same way this city inspired me.”
As Chicago prepares to welcome musicians and audiences from around the world, International Jazz Day 2026 promises to be a defining cultural moment for the city. For ongoing coverage of jazz festivals, concerts, and major music events shaping Chicago’s scene, visit ChicagoMusicGuide.com.