The diverse free‑of‑charge programme of Pori Jazz has now been released, with the exception of Pori Jazz Kids, which will be announced to the public in early June. This summer’s free concerts will spread from the riverside into the city centre, offering music and experiences for audiences of all ages. The programme strongly highlights Finnish jazz, showcasing both leading national artists and rising new talents. The lineup also includes experimental music, multidisciplinary performances and international guests.

Free programme events will take place at:

  • Cafe Pori Jazz on Friday 10 July and Wednesday 15 July
  • Satakunta Stage on Gallen‑Kallelankatu from Friday 10 July to Tuesday 14 July
  • Winston Live from Friday 10 July to Tuesday 14 July
  • Jazz Street’s SATA Shipbuilding Stage from Tuesday 14 July to Saturday 18 July
  • Cultural Centre Asema44 (former bus station) on Tuesday 14 July and Wednesday 15 July
  • Pori Theatre’s small stage from Wednesday 15 July to Saturday 18 July

The first concert of the 2026 festival will be held on Friday 10 July at Cafe Pori Jazz. The stage will be taken by the traditional festival opener, Pori Big Band, featuring two soloists: Emma Award–winning, Pori‑born Kadi Vija and saxophonist Eero Koivistoinen. The conductor is Antti Rissanen. The second free concert at Cafe Pori Jazz will be heard on Wednesday 15 July, featuring students from the national pop/jazz camp held in Nakkila.

On the Satakunta Stage, produced in cooperation with Satakunnan Osuuskauppa on Gallen‑Kallelankatu, the performers are: Vili Mustalampi, Arttu Huopanen South‑East Corner, Kadi Vija 3, Eero Koivistoinen Quartet, Heta Halonen Kvartetti, Filemon von Numers Quintet, Sami Saari & Jazzpojat, Tuomas Talvi Quintet, Lassi Friman Quartet, Kanvas and Anabasis.

Pori Jazz 66 ry, the association that previously organised the Pori Jazz festival, will produce late‑night jam sessions at Winston Live from Friday 10 July to Tuesday 14 July. The jam sessions are 18+.

On the Jazz Street SATA Shipbuilding Stage, produced in cooperation with SATA Shipbuilding Oy, the performers are: Elena Mîndru, Bronze, Silver & Brass, Elifantree, Ramblers Memorial Orchestra, Mikko Antila Sinetti, Muscular, Piip, Olli Ahvenlahti New Quintet, Mikko Pettinen Why Not, Maiju Lehti, Max Light Trio (USA), Julye Blom, Pori International Jazz Band Plays Önder Focan Songbook, New3, Mäkelä–Dunkel Family Band, Kannaste4 and Honey B & T Bones.

At Cultural Centre Asema44, located in Pori’s former bus station, audiences will experience multidisciplinary improvisation on Tuesday 14 July and Wednesday 15 July. During the Musi‑Visuals evenings, visual artists Pia Lundy, Luchadoras, Lindon Shimitzu, Komugi Ando, Viljami Heinonen and Ville Kirjanen, together with musicians including Andrea Martin, Siina Suutarinen and Oiva Haapamäki, will create three improvised works each night.

At Pori Theatre’s small stage, the Nordic Landæus Trio will perform on Wednesday 15 July. From Thursday to Saturday, the stage will be filled with the festival’s traditional jam sessions, led by Mikko “Gunu” Karjalainen, who celebrates his 20th year as jam host at Pori Jazz.

Together with Pori Energia Oy, free admission to Satakunta Museum and Pori Art Museum is offered on the opening day of Jazz Street, Tuesday 14 July, from 15:00 to 20:00. At Satakunta Museum, two films will be screened during Jazz Street’s opening days (14–18 July): Mikael Franck’s documentary Rytmin villitsijät – Pori Jazz 40 vuotta and Timo Koivusalo’s film Mr. Pori Jazz.

Screenings on Tuesday 14 July are free of charge; on other days they are included in the museum’s standard admission fee.

The free programme also includes previously announced events on Wednesday 15 July at Lokkilava:

  • Reiska Laine’s 80th Anniversary Concert
  • Saimaa’s concert, produced in cooperation with Satakunnan Osuuskauppa
  • Severi Pyysalo Memorial Jam Session at Pori Theatre, featuring the house band Veikka Kajamies 5/5, led by Jazz Union’s Taimi Award–winning drummer Veikka Kajamies

Two ticketed concerts have also been added to the festival programme at the Suomalainen Klubi garden.

  • On Tuesday 14 July, Antti Sarpila Swing Band will perform.
  • On Wednesday 15 July, the stage will feature Tuomo Uusitalo Trio.

Pori‑born Antti Sarpila is one of Finland’s most renowned jazz clarinettists and a master of traditional swing jazz. Pianist Tuomo Uusitalo is remembered, among other things, as Pori Jazz Artist of the Year 2023. Tickets for these two concerts are sold by Fresco Ravintolat Oy.