Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival Mardi Gras

The Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival Mardi Gras brings a free afternoon of live music to the Grassmarket on Saturday 18 July 2026. Bands perform across several outdoor stages from 1pm to 5pm, bringing jazz, blues, brass, funk, and New Orleans-inspired sounds into the Old Town.

The 2026 programme features nine acts, with continuous performances spread around one of Edinburgh’s best-known historic squares.

Key Event Details

What To Expect

The line-up includes Shirt Tail Stompers, Burnin’ for Buhaina, Castle Rock Jazz Band, Dixie Fried, Lone Bear Blues, The Killerhorns, Dank Mango, DopeSickFly, and Boom, Twang, Thwack. The stages run close together, making it easy to move between traditional jazz, blues, brass, and contemporary crossover sets.

This is one of the festival’s biggest free events and the Grassmarket can become crowded during the afternoon. Performances take place outdoors, with the surrounding pubs, cafés, and restaurants remaining open throughout the event.

Entry and Practical Information

No ticket is needed. Entry is free and visitors can arrive or leave at any point during the afternoon. Check the official Mardi Gras programme before travelling in case performance timings or access arrangements change.

Location and Getting There

The event takes place across the Grassmarket, below Edinburgh Castle. Waverley station is around 15 minutes away on foot, while buses stop on George IV Bridge, South Bridge, and nearby Lauriston Place. The steep streets and festival crowds can make driving difficult.

Our Tips

• Arrive near the start if you want a clearer view of the smaller stages.
• Bring a light waterproof layer because every performance is outdoors.
• Keep pedestrian routes clear when crowds gather around the stages.

Full artist details and programme updates are available from the Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival.