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Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival
Photo: Caribiana via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
musicEvent

Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival

Three nights of international jazz, pop, and Latin acts

WhenThree nights, Thursday to Saturday, in late August or early September. The 2026 edition runs 3 to 5 September at the World Trade Center in Piscadera Bay, with a free Afro 23 pre-show at Kura Hulanda Village on Tuesday 1 September.
WhereWillemstad, Willemstad
CostTicketed; single-day passes for one, two, or all three nights, plus full-festival passes, are sold, with prices set each year.
FrequencyAnnual
Type
Music
When
August to September
Duration
3 nights
Location
Willemstad
Cost
Ticketed; single-day passes for one, two, or all three nights, plus full-festival passes, are sold, with prices set each year.
Frequency
Annual
Attendance
Thousands per night; one of the largest music events in the southern Caribbean
Family friendly
No
First held
The Caribbean edition of the long-running North Sea Jazz brand
Local name
North Sea Jazz Curaçao
Best arrival
Arrive as gates open to catch early sets and beat the entry queues
What to wear
Smart-casual festival wear; comfortable shoes for standing and moving between stages
Food highlights
On-site food vendors with local and international dishesBars and drink stands across the grounds
Warnings
Late finishes, so plan your ride homeKeep tickets and valuables secure in crowdsActs can clash across stages, so plan your route
What to bring
Tickets or passesLight layer for late nightsCash or card for vendorsPhone power bank
The overview

Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival

The Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival brings the storied North Sea Jazz brand to the Caribbean for three big nights, running Thursday through Saturday, usually in late August or early September. Despite the "jazz" in the name, the line-up spans jazz, soul, funk, pop, R&B, and Latin music, mixing global superstars with celebrated Caribbean and Latin American acts. Multiple stages run in parallel, so the night becomes a personal route between acts rather than a single bill.

It has grown into one of the largest music events in the southern Caribbean, drawing visitors from across the region and beyond. The timing is comfortable: Curaçao sits south of the hurricane belt, so late summer here means warm, dry, reliable evenings rather than storm season.

What to expect on the night

  • Several stages programmed in parallel, from intimate sets to arena-scale headliners.
  • A genre mix well beyond jazz: pop, soul, funk, and Latin all feature.
  • Food and drink vendors, and a dressed-up, festive crowd.

Most festival-goers stay near Willemstad or the resort strip around Jan Thiel and travel to the venue each night. Buy a single-day pass for one, two, or all three nights in advance, study the stage clashes ahead of time so you do not miss a must-see act, and arrange transport back, as the festival runs late.

In pictures

Photo gallery

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

When is the Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival?

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The festival runs over three nights, Thursday through Saturday, usually in late August or early September. Curaçao sits south of the hurricane belt, so this is a warm, dry, reliable time of year. Exact dates and the line-up are announced annually.

Is it only jazz?

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No. Despite the name, the line-up spans jazz, soul, funk, pop, R&B, and Latin music, with global headliners alongside Caribbean and Latin American acts. Several stages run in parallel, so you build your own route through the night.

Do I need a ticket?

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Yes. The festival is ticketed, with single-day passes for one, two, or all three nights, plus full-festival passes, sold each year. Buy in advance, as popular editions sell out, and check the stage schedule ahead of time to avoid clashes between acts you want to see.

Where should I stay for the festival?

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Most visitors stay near Willemstad or the resort area around Jan Thiel and travel to the venue each night. The festival runs late, so arrange your transport back to your accommodation in advance.
Plan your visit

Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival

When
Three nights, Thursday to Saturday, in late August or early September. The 2026 edition runs 3 to 5 September at the World Trade Center in Piscadera Bay, with a free Afro 23 pre-show at Kura Hulanda Village on Tuesday 1 September.
Duration: 3 nights
Location
World Trade Center, Piscadera Bay, Willemstad, Willemstad
Willemstad
Cost
Ticketed; single-day passes for one, two, or all three nights, plus full-festival passes, are sold, with prices set each year.
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