Cork Jazz Festival 2021 gets green light as Guinness give update on event details

The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival will take place this year following an announcement that was music to revellers' ears.

Guinness confirmed on Wednesday that the popular event will go ahead as planned over the bank holiday weekend from October 22 to 25.

The festival, which sees people from across Ireland descend on Cork to view dozens of musicians perform, was cancelled in 2020 in line with government guidelines.

Speaking about this year’s festival, Rory Sheridan, Head of Partnerships at Diageo Ireland said: “We are absolutely delighted to confirm that the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival 2021 will be taking place this October Bank Holiday weekend, from the 22nd – 25th October.

"This will be the first major festival in Ireland since the pandemic to take place, which is a significant milestone not only for musicians and the events industry who have been one of hardest hit industries, but also for festival goers who have been waiting for some good news.

Jazz musician Gary Baus and swing dancers Laura Hicks and Ferran Mata launching the 42nd Guinness Cork Jazz Festival in 2019. (Guinness Cork Jazz Festival/Clare Keogh)

"We look forward to announcing full details of the festival including the line up over the coming weeks.”

Fiona Collins, Chairperson of the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, added: “We are delighted to bring the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival back to the City this year – we’re working through the programming and are excited to bring much loved performances, as well as emerging local talent, to the streets and venues of Cork this bank holiday weekend.”

Cllr Colm Kelleher, Lord Mayor of Cork, also commented: “On behalf of the people of Cork, the local business owners, hoteliers, bar and restaurants owners, as well as all of the musicians who will be involved again this year in The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, we are absolutely thrilled to welcome back the Festival.

"The hugely significant economic impact as well as the vibrancy and energy it brings to Cork city and the surrounding area is unparalleled – there is nothing else like it. This is the great news that we all wanted to hear!”

Guinness added that full details of this year's Cork Jazz Festival will be released over the coming weeks.