Festival International de Jazz de Saint-Louis

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Religious & SpiritualSaint-Louis
DatesDates TBA · Usually MayCheck locally before booking
Duration5 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCeremony, pilgrimageThree decades of continuous editions make
Language["fr"]Currency: XOF
CategoryReligious & SpiritualFestival type
The story

Festival International de Jazz de Saint-Louis in Saint-Louis

The Festival International de Jazz de Saint-Louis is one of West Africa's most established jazz festivals, held annually since 1993 in Saint-Louis, Senegal, a former colonial capital and UNESCO World Heritage island city on the Senegal River known for its Franco-African architecture and its horse-drawn carriages and old iron bridge.

Saint-Louis, or Ndar in Wolof, occupies a narrow island in the mouth of the Senegal River, near the country's border with Mauritania, and it carries a weight of history disproportionate to its modest size.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Three decades of continuous editions make this one of the longest-running jazz festivals anywhere on the African continent, giving Saint-Louis an international music identity that sits alongside its better-known status as a UNESCO World Heritage site

02

The mystery stays covered

The setting itself is a large part of the draw: Saint-Louis, founded as a French colonial trading post and once the capital of French West Africa, occupies a narrow island in the Senegal River connected by the historic Faidherbe Bridge, its streets lined with colorful, balconied colonial-era buildings that give outdoor concerts and street performances a visual character unlike almost any other jazz festival setting in the world, blending West African musical traditions with jazz in a city whose own history sits at the crossroads of African, French and Atlantic cultural influence

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival draws on Saint-Louis's layered history as a former French colonial capital and a longstanding center of Senegalese music and culture

Water and renewal

Living ritual

blending jazz with West African musical traditions in a city whose architecture and street life already reflect a Franco-African cultural crossroads

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually May

Getting around

Base the route around Saint-Louis; confirm local transport, road controls or venue access close to the day.

What to wear

Light, breathable clothing suits Saint-Louis's hot Sahelian coastal climate, with sun protection for daytime events and a light layer for cooler evening breezes off the river; comfortable...

Safety

Watch local behavior before photographing, filming, or entering sacred spaces.

Where to stay

Stay near Saint-Louis or a practical transport base if you want a simpler arrival and return.

Tickets/cost

Public ritual moments are often free, but donations, transport, or temple access may vary.

Language/currency

["fr"] · XOF

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map16.02 N, 16.49 WOpen in Google Maps

Saint-Louis, Saint-Louis, Senegal

Nearest airportXLS — Saint Louis
TransportBase the route around Saint-Louis; confirm local transport, road controls or venue access close to the day.
Stay areaStay near Saint-Louis or a practical transport base if you want a simpler arrival and return.

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 Saint-Louis via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Saint-Louis, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for May.Compare faresFestival gearLight, breathable clothing suits Saint-Louis's hot Sahelian coastal climate, with sun protection for daytime events and a light layer for cooler evening breezes off the river; comfortable shoes are useful for walking the island's streets between venues.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Senegal 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 Festival International de Jazz de Saint-Louis?

Festival International de Jazz de Saint-Louis is listed for Past edition: 13–17 May 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Festival International de Jazz de Saint-Louis take place?

The festival is listed in Saint-Louis, Senegal. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

5 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?

Saint-Louis, Saint-Louis, Senegal

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 URLsaintlouisjazz.org
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually May
Source statusOfficial source linked
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