The 2025 Taichung Jazz Festival marks its 21st edition this year, reaching an unprecedented scale! A total of 22 performing groups from 15 countries will gather in Taichung—setting a new record in the festival’s history. The event highlights the city’s rich cultural vitality and global connectivity, creating a festive atmosphere worthy of a true “World Jazz Party.”

The Cultural Affairs Bureau announced that this year’s Jazz Festival main stage performances will take place at the Civic Square from October 17 to October 26, running for ten consecutive days under the theme “Jazz Together.” The program encompasses a wide range of musical styles, including European and American classics, South American rhythms, and Asian cross-genre collaborations. In addition, two ticketed concerts will be held at Taichung Chungshan Hall on October 24 and October 25, featuring theater-grade sound systems to offer audiences an immersive listening experience. The main stage opening performance at the Civic Square will see Maestro Rich Huang leading Taiwan’s top musicians in a return to Ching Chuan Kang, recreating the historic scenes of Taichung’s musical exchanges with the world in the 1960s. For the grand finale, the “Voices of the Grammys” series will present a farewell tour featuring the legendary vocal ensemble New York Voices and French trumpet virtuoso Ibrahim Maalouf, leaving Taichung with an unforgettable musical legacy.

This year, for the first time, the festival is partnering with the InterContinental Taichung for a cross-industry collaboration, transforming hotel spaces into dedicated jazz stages. Special ticketed evening performances will be presented, combining dining and beverages to create the atmosphere of an international jazz bar. After enjoying the outdoor concerts at the Civic Square, audiences can continue their musical journey at the hotel’s “After Party,” further extending the experience and showcasing the cross-disciplinary allure of “Music × Lifestyle.”

During the festival, more than 100 partnered cafés, bistros, hotels, and cultural-creative brands will offer jazz-themed promotions and exclusive merchandise, bringing the spirit of “Appreciating Jazz, Living Jazz, and Staying with Jazz” into everyday life across the city. By subscribing to the Taichung Jazz Festival LINE@ account, you can receive access to exclusive offers and updates.

The Cultural Affairs Bureau noted that since its inception, the Taichung Jazz Festival has grown into one of Taiwan’s most representative international music brands, attracting over one million attendees each year. This year’s edition is curated around the theme of “Vocal,” featuring a lineup of renowned jazz vocalists from Taiwan and abroad. Through performances that transcend language and genre, the festival will showcase the boundless charm of jazz vocals intertwined with instrumental improvisation, inviting citizens and jazz enthusiasts worldwide to share in this grand musical celebration. For more information, please visit the Taichung City Government’s Cultural Affairs Bureau website (http://www.culture.taichung.gov.tw) or the Taichung Jazz Festival official Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/TaichungJazzFestival).