The Montreux Jazz Festival will host its first African edition in Franschhoek from March 27-29, 2026. Featuring international and South African performers, the event is expected to draw high-value visitors to the Cape Winelands and boost demand for accommodation, restaurants and transport providers.
According to Kaz Henderson , Spokesperson for Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek, the decision to stage the event in the region was based on infrastructure readiness, accessibility and existing creative networks.
For its first edition, the festival is planning for an aggregate attendance of 15 000 to 20 000 visitors across three days, distributed across the three official stages as well as fringe and hospitality spaces.