Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival 2026: dates, venues and ticket prices
by Admin
by AdminBabylon Radio
Listen nowThe Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival runs from 22 to 31 October 2026 at venues across Sydney. Tickets for the ten-day programme range from A$30 to A$149, with the opening concert at the State Theatre and later performances at ACO Neilson Theatre, St Stephen’s Uniting Church, Oxford Art Factory, 21 Shepherd and other venues.
The festival marks its 15th anniversary in 2026. Its programme brings international artists together with musicians from Australia, with jazz, improvised music, spoken word and cross-cultural collaborations spread across the city.
Key details for Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival 2026
The programme is not held at one festival site. Check the venue on your ticket before travelling, especially if you are attending on several nights.
Four opening-week concerts worth considering
Dee Dee Bridgewater with Helen Sung
The festival opens on Thursday 22 October with vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater and pianist Helen Sung at the State Theatre. Australian vocalist Michelle Nicolle and guitarist Hugh Stuckey are also on the bill.
- Date: Thursday 22 October 2026
- Time: 7pm–11pm
- Venue: State Theatre
- Price: A$149
Bridgewater is a multiple Grammy Award winner, a Tony Award winner and an NEA Jazz Master. The concert is her first Australian performance in almost 12 years, according to the organiser. Helen Sung is a pianist and composer whose work connects jazz and classical training.
See the official concert and ticket information.
Tomeka Reid Quartet featuring Mary Halvorson
Cellist and composer Tomeka Reid brings a quartet featuring guitarist Mary Halvorson, bassist Jason Roebke and drummer Tomas Fujiwara. Australian violinist and composer Véronique Serret opens the evening.
- Date: Friday 23 October 2026
- Time: 7pm–10pm
- Venue: ACO Neilson Theatre
- Price: A$99
The pairing is a good option for listeners interested in contemporary composition and improvisation. Reid’s work draws on jazz, chamber music and the musical languages of the African diaspora, while Serret’s practice includes classical and contemporary performance and reflects her Mauritian heritage.
See the official concert and ticket information.
Kris Davis Trio and Soojin Suh Coloris Trio
Saturday’s double bill combines the Kris Davis Trio with a Korean group led by drummer and composer Soojin Suh. Davis appears with bassist Robert Hurst and drummer Johnathan Blake. Suh is joined by pianist Jaehun Kang and bassist Hoo Kim.
- Date: Saturday 24 October 2026
- Time: 7pm–11pm
- Venue: St Stephen’s Uniting Church
- Price: A$89
SIMA describes Suh’s approach as drawing on the concept of “melodic breath” in Korean traditional music. Davis’s trio is presenting music connected with Run the Gauntlet, a project that acknowledges six influential women pianists.
See the official concert and ticket information.
Belle Chen and Underwards
Pianist, keyboard player and composer Belle Chen presents music from Ravel in the Forest and other work on Monday 26 October. She is joined on the bill by Underwards, led by trumpeter and composer Ellen Kirkwood.
- Date: Monday 26 October 2026
- Time: 7pm–10pm
- Venue: 21 Shepherd
- Price: A$59
Chen grew up between Taiwan and Australia and is now based in London. Her work crosses classical, jazz and electronic music. Underwards combines jazz, experimental and art-music approaches and will launch its single “Cormorant’s Dive” at the festival.
See the official concert and ticket information.
What else is in the 2026 programme?
The wider programme continues through 31 October. The official NSW listing highlights poet and musician aja monet, vocalist Tina Harrod, singer-songwriter Ruby Jackson, pianist Misaki Umei, Olivia Chindamo and Resonance, an all-women jazz group assembled for the closing programme.
Because performances take place in different venues and use separate ticketing systems, the safest approach is to start with the current SIMA programme and follow its ticket link for each event. Prices and availability can change.
Accessibility and planning your evening
The NSW Government event listing says the festival welcomes people with access needs, but visitors should contact the organiser or individual venue for precise arrangements. That is important because the programme uses theatres, a church, a music venue and smaller performance spaces rather than one uniform festival site.
Allow time to check the venue address, doors time and seating arrangements before leaving. The published event time may cover the full bill, including the opening artist, rather than only the headline set.
Official sources
Details were checked on 4 October 2026. Always confirm the current event page before booking.
Looking for another October culture event in Australia? See our guide to Pinoy Octoberfest Melbourne 2026.
Featured image: Dee Dee Bridgewater performing in Thiais, France, 23 June 2007. Archive photograph by Pkobel, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. The image is not from the 2026 Sydney festival.