The Kuching Jazz Festival happens on a yearly basis at the last weekend of September. It was formerly known as the Kuching Waterfront Jazz Festival, but was renamed to its current name in 2019.
During it’s inaugural year, the organizers hosted 4,000 people at the festival and the numbers coming to the festival had increased on a yearly basis.
Hailed as a perfect complement to the chilling and relaxing Kuching scene, the Kuching Jazz Festival is a much awaited music event for many.
The festival occurs for two days with the first day usually starting on Friday.
PERFORMERS OF THE KJF
The Kuching Waterfront Jazz Festival 2017 had the likes of Sheila Majid last year. Shiela Majid is a huge name in jazz, so topping last year would not be easy.
From then on, popular artist like Sarawakian Dayang Nurfaizah, Jolynn J Chin, TOMPI, Carmen Souza Trio, Aisyah Aziz, Blues Gang, TULUS, Alemay Fernandez & Richard Jackson, Atilia Haron and Natalie Gillespie Band, and Afgan had also performed during the festival.
Other bands that have performed also include Aditya, Natalie Gillispie Band, Tuku Kame, and D’Cipta Band. In 2018, the winner of KWJF2018 Jazz Band Search, Sang Voyage also performed at the festival.
Follow the links below to know the latest acts for the current year.
THE KJF DATES
The first Kuching Jazz Festival was done as a kick-off event to the What About Kuching Festival.
However, in 2018, the festival wasn’t part of the event and had it’s own branding. Below are dates for the past and coming Kuching Jazz Festival. You can click on the link to read more articles about the current year festival.
- 2017 : 29 – 30 September
- 2018 : 28 – 29 September
- 2019 : 27 – 28 September
- 2020 : 30 – 31 October
- 2021 : Canceled due to pandemic
- 2022 : 28 – 29 October
- 2024 : 4 – 5 October
THE JAZZ FESTIVAL FOOD BAZAAR
The food bazaar at the Kuching Jazz Festival is tiny compared to the signature Kuching Festival, but it is the only fixed event in Kuching at the moment that has the enigmatic Kuching Waterfront as a backdrop.
Last year, there was about 10 food stalls serving local and international food, and I was informed this is set to increase given the reception at these food stalls last year.
Arts and crafts bazaar at the Kuching Jazz Festival
The crafts and arts bazaar is a mixed bag with NGO’s also joining in to raise funds for their purpose.
Expect to see hand made crafts, and also exclusive crafts and souvenirs at the festival.
Kuching Jazz Festival tickets
The organizers of the KJF usually offer special early bird promotion for the event.
Usually, the special one-week only Kuching Jazz promotion will be priced at RM300 for a two-day pass. This rates are similar to what was offered in 2019.
Those who wish to enjoy this special early bird rates needs to download the Insiders Club app.
Alternatively, tickets can also be purchased at www.kuchingjazz.com at RM180 for a one-day pass and RM350 for a two-day pass.
Tickets at the gate on the festival day is at RM200/day.
>> BUY KUCHING JAZZ TICKETS
If you want to save, I highly encourage you to pre-puchase your tickets as tickets might be sold out fast. This is judging by the fact that the event was already popular and Kuching has a good jazz loving community.
GETTING TO THE KJF
The Kuching Jazz Festival will be played behind the Grand Margherita Hotel, on the Kuching Waterfront itself.
With the Sarawak State Legislative as a perfect background, the ambiance of the whole festival is considered perfect to showcase Kuching and Sarawak as a whole.
Thanks to it’s popular location, going to the Kuching Jazz Festival wouldn’t be difficult.
If you are staying at hotels located within Kuching city centre, walking is the best option. All you need to do is follow the map to the Grand Margherita Hotel as show in the Google Maps below.
If your hotel is quite far, or you are from out of town, the Google Map would still be a major help, although using GRAB would be highly encouraged.
>> DOWNLOAD THE GRAB APP
On your GRAB App, just look for the Grand Margherita Hotel Kuching, and rates for your transportation would be displayed. Else, take a cab/taxi and ask them to take you to the hotel.
It is likely the Kuching Jazz Festival wouldn’t be so visible from the front of the hotel as the festival grounds is located behind the hotel, hidden from the main road.
That said, you can only enter the festival grounds through the hotel lobby area.
Please note to the map below for directions and entry points to the festival.
Where to stay during the KJF
The best place to stay for the Kuching Jazz Festival is of course the Grand Margherita Hotel Kuching. It is of course the venue of the festival and you can see the venue from your hotel room window.
>> BOOK A ROOM AT GRAND MARGHERITA HOTEL
Imperial Riverbank Hotel Kuching is also very close to the venue, making it my second choice if I went to the KWJF.
Other good choices include Riverside Majestic Hotel and Hilton Kuching, both just minutes from the venue itself. In my opinion, Riverside Majestic offers luxury at amazing prices (You can read my personal review here), while Hilton is a trusted brand by itself.
>> BOOK A ROOM AT HILTON KUCHING
If the three hotels are not your choice, or are fully booked, check out this list of hotels in Kuching City Center. I’ve compiled them specifically to help those unfamiliar with Kuching. These hotels are within the Kuching City Centre, and a walking distance to the Kuching Waterfront Jazz Festival Venue.
Related KJF articles
I constantly update tips and local guides about my hometown to ease tourist and travelers. I believe this would be great help for anyone coming to Kuching.
You can read them in the links below:
- Learn about Kuching
- Learn about other events and festivals in Kuching
- Dress-up for a Jazz Festival
- Places to visit in Kuching City
