The 2026 NYC Winter Jazzfest Drops Its Marathon Lineups
Alright, January is coming, which means the 2026 NYC Winter Jazzfest is about to take over. They just dropped the marathon lineups, and it’s looking massive. If you’re new to this, the marathons are the heart of the fest: two nights of running around the city trying to see everyone.
Just a heads-up, this is NYC. Dates, times, and lineups can change. Always check the official site before you make plans.
What to Know About the 2026 NYC Winter Jazzfest Marathons
The Vibe: “Still We RISE”
This isn’t just a bunch of random gigs. The festival has a theme, “Still We RISE.” It’s all about the power and history of Black American music, taking inspiration from Maya Angelou. It’s a statement against erasure and a celebration of the music’s roots. You can expect a lot of powerful, political, and Afrofuturist sounds.
The Manhattan Marathon: Friday, Jan 9
The first marathon night is Friday, January 9th. It takes over a bunch of spots in Lower Manhattan. Think LPR, City Winery, City Winery Loft, Nublu, DROM, The Bitter End, and Zinc Bar… the classic downtown circuit.
Forget what you heard about a “featured show.” The real deal is the marathon pass. It lets you hop between all these venues. That killer lineup with the David Murray Quartet and James Brandon Lewis Trio is just one small piece of it. It’s a heavy-hitting night and a good way to ease into the weekend before the Brooklyn madness.
The Brooklyn Marathon: Saturday, Jan 10
The next night, Saturday the 10th, is the main event. This is the big one. One pass gets you into seven venues all over Williamsburg. We’re talking Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn Bowl, Superior Ingredients, National Sawdust, Baby’s All Right, Union Pool, and Loove Annex. It runs from 5 PM until 3 AM, so… pace yourself.
How to Actually Do the Brooklyn Marathon
Look, the key to the Brooklyn marathon is to accept you cannot see everyone. You just can’t.
Map out your ‘must-sees’ but be ready to ditch the plan when a venue hits capacity. Brooklyn Bowl is great for the global sounds. National Sawdust and Baby’s All Right will have the really out-there, avant-garde stuff. Union Pool and Loove Annex will host the showcases for those really in the know.
Here’s the realest tip: The L train will be your best friend between most of these spots. But if you’re trying to get from, say, Music Hall of Williamsburg over to Union Pool… well, the G train is the G train. Give yourself at least 30 minutes for any venue change. Seriously.
The Lowdown: 2026 NYC Winter Jazzfest
- When: Festival runs Jan 8-13, 2026. Manhattan Marathon is Jan 9. Brooklyn Marathon is Jan 10.
- Price: $$(for single shows) |$$$ (for Marathon passes). Marathon passes are the way to go.
- Location: Multiple venues across Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn (see list above).
- Contact: https://www.winterjazzfest.com
- Pro Tip: Buy the marathon pass early. Wear comfortable shoes… you will be walking. A lot. And that coat check line at 2 AM is no joke, so try to pack light.
Still Feeling a Little Festive?
Even though the big holiday rush is over, you might still be catching the last of the city’s sparkle. If you’re walking around, you have to see the work the big department stores put in. Check out our guide to the Most Beautiful Christmas Window Displays In NYC To Watch Out This Year to see what we mean.
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