Jazz im Palmengarten

The World's Oldest Open-Air Jazz Series

Jazz im Palmengarten is one of Europe's most important jazz concert series — and, according to the organizers, the world's oldest continuously running open-air jazz series. Since 1959, concerts have been held every Thursday evening in the summer at the Konzertmuschel (concert shell) in Frankfurt's Palmengarten. The Jazz-Initiative Frankfurt e.V. (JIF) has been responsible for the program since 2003, pursuing a clear curatorial claim: contemporary jazz at the highest level, with international ambition.

The Concert Shell in Palmengarten

The venue is the Konzertmuschel im Palmengarten — an architecturally striking, semi-open stage from the 1950s with excellent outdoor acoustics. Around 1,100 seats are available: approx. 400 reserved seats on the metal benches, with lawns next to them where folding chairs and picnic blankets are permitted. Those bringing a chair should not place it higher than the benches.

2026 Program — Seven Thursdays

Seven concerts spread throughout the summer, all on Thursday evenings:

• July 9, 2026 — Perico Sambeat Flamenco Quintet (Spain)
• July 16, 2026 — Baby Sommer's Brother & Sisterhood
• July 23, 2026 — Rebecca Trescher Tentett
• August 6, 2026 — Adam Bałdych Quintet (Poland)
• August 13, 2026 — Céline Bonacina (France/La Réunion)
• August 20, 2026 — Martin Lejeune's "Mangelsdorff Revisited" (Homage to Albert Mangelsdorff)
• August 27, 2026 — Markus Stockhausen Group

Schedule and Atmosphere

Doors open 6:30 PM, concert starts 7:30 PM. For the full experience, arrive early: Palmengarten is one of Frankfurt's greenest spots in summer, and the balmy evening atmosphere in the Botanical Gardens before the concert is part of the concept. Picnicking is allowed; brought food and drinks are explicitly welcome. Additional catering is available on-site.

Who Plays Here — and Who Has Played Before

The series has hosted an impressive list of jazz greats: Albert Mangelsdorff (Frankfurt's trombone icon), Klaus Doldinger, Till Brönner, Jasmin Tabatabai, Nils Landgren, Mike Stern — and countless international stars. 2026 is a typical program year: top European acts (Bałdych, Bonacina, Sambeat), German stars (Stockhausen, Sommer), and a tribute to Frankfurt jazz patron Albert Mangelsdorff (by Martin Lejeune).