Red Light Jazz Festival

Jazz music in many intimate performance locations

Red Light Jazz combines traditional and modern jazz with the unique atmosphere of the oldest part of the city where jazz was introduced by American sailors in the 1920s and 1930s. The festival is not only a tribute to the music style that has its origins in the blues, but also to the Red Light District, a much-discussed neighborhood with a rich culture and history. The many intimate performance locations, ranging from historic cafés, shops, theaters to a sometimes unexpected outdoor space, ensure an unforgettable experience. In addition, Red Light Jazz – just like last year – will make a trip to the Zandkasteel in Amsterdam Zuidoost because of the special link that district has with Amsterdam's jazz history.

The first names of artists who will perform during Red Light Jazz 2025 have been announced. Confirmed so far are Matt Bianco, Another Taste, Amsterdam Funk Orchestra feat. Lilian Vieira, Philip Lassiter, La Ratte, Vox Sturnus, Soleil Niklasson & Wolf Martini, Kika Sprangers, Mats Gustafsson's Cosmic Ear, Liva Dumpe & River Adomeit and of course regular guest 'The godfather of Red Light Jazz' Hans Dulfer.

The full program will be released in April on the completely renewed website of Red Light Jazz. At the same time, the pre-sale of the main program will start.

Red Light Jazz Festival

The old city centre of Amsterdam has had a jazz culture since the 1930s. American sailors used to bring jazz records with them on their travels and that is how Amsterdam was introduced to jazz. This music style, which is now popular with a wide audience, has its roots in the area around the Zeedijk and the Nieuwmarkt, as far as Amsterdam and perhaps even the Netherlands are concerned.

Since 2014, Red Light Jazz has brought the original atmosphere of the city centre back to life for a short time every year during a weekend full of live jazz, where most of the concerts are also free to attend.

The festival line-up features many jazz musicians who have a strong connection with Amsterdam in terms of birth, place of residence, education or otherwise. Red Light Jazz also offers a stage to well-known and unknown national and international jazz acts and young talent.