Molde International Jazz Festival

Moldejazz

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MusicMolde
DatesDates TBA · Usually JulyCheck locally before booking
Duration6 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLive music, late nightsMoldejazz's claim to distinction is
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: NOK
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

Molde International Jazz Festival in Molde

Molde International Jazz Festival, known as Moldejazz, is the oldest continuously running jazz festival in the world, founded in 1961 by the local Storyville Jazz Club in the fjord town of Molde. Held every July, it fills the town for six days with around 120 concerts, mixing major international jazz names with emerging artists, and has received Norwegian government cultural support since 1964.

Molde International Jazz Festival began in 1961, started by the Storyville Jazz Club, a group of local jazz enthusiasts in the small fjord town of Molde on Norway's northwest coast.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Moldejazz's claim to distinction is longevity: founded in 1961 by the Storyville Jazz Club, it is recognized as the oldest continuously running jazz festival in the world, predating most of Europe's major jazz events by years or decades

02

The mystery stays covered

Government support since 1964 gave it institutional weight early on, and for years the festival hosted Norway's government-backed Buddy Award, a marker of its standing within Norwegian jazz culture

03

The city starts moving

Set in the small fjord town of Molde, the festival compresses around 120 concerts into six days each July, filling churches, halls, outdoor stages, and club venues across the town with a mix of internationally touring headliners and younger Norwegian and international jazz artists

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Moldejazz grew out of the Storyville Jazz Club

Water and renewal

Living ritual

a local enthusiasts' group

The sacred route

Living ritual

rather than a municipal or commercial initiative

The local code

Living ritual

and that grassroots origin is part of why it is recognized as the oldest continuously running jazz festival in the world

Tradition 5

Living ritual

Norwegian government cultural support since 1964 tied the festival early on to national jazz life

Tradition 6

Living ritual

and for years it hosted the government's Buddy Award

Tradition 7

Living ritual

cementing Molde's place as a proving ground for recognition within Norwegian jazz alongside its role as a showcase for international touring artists

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually July

Getting around

Getting to Molde International Jazz Festival works best when the return plan is settled before arrival.

What to wear

July in Molde usually brings Norway's mildest weather along with long daylight hours, but fjord-side towns can still see sudden showers and cool evenings. Layer a light jacket or packable...

Safety

At Molde International Jazz Festival, agree on a meeting point and plan food, water and the return route before crowds thicken.

Where to stay

For peak dates, book flexible lodging near reliable routes into and out of Molde.

Tickets/cost

Official ticket link is available. Confirm access rules before booking.

Language/currency

NOK

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map62.74 N, 7.16 EOpen in Google Maps

Molde, More og Romsdal, Norway

Nearest airportAES — Ålesund
TransportGetting to Molde International Jazz Festival works best when the return plan is settled before arrival.
Stay areaFor peak dates, book flexible lodging near reliable routes into and out of Molde.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Molde via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Molde, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for July.Compare faresFestival gearJuly in Molde usually brings Norway's mildest weather along with long daylight hours, but fjord-side towns can still see sudden showers and cool evenings. Layer a light jacket or packable rain shell over summer clothing, and bring comfortable shoes for moving between indoor club venues and any open-air stages. Concert dress is casual throughout.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Norway and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Molde International Jazz Festival?

Molde International Jazz Festival is listed for Past edition: 13–18 July 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Molde International Jazz Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Molde, Norway. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

6 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Molde, More og Romsdal, Norway

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLmoldejazz.no
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually July
Source statusOfficial source linked
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