Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival returns Aug. 21-23 with Cuban, Brazilian and blues lineup

The 26th Annual Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival runs Aug. 21-23 at Esther Short Park in Vancouver, Washington, with 16 acts spanning Latin, jazz, blues, gospel and New Orleans styles. The three-day event pairs live music with fine art, Northwest wine, craft beer and food, drawing thousands of attendees and a mix of regional and national artists.

Why it matters: - The 26th Annual Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival brings together live music, wine, art and food in downtown Vancouver, Washington, for a three-day summer event that draws an estimated 4,000 to 6,000 people each year. - The 2026 lineup leans into Cuban, Brazilian, vocal jazz, blues and New Orleans music, giving the festival broad appeal for regional audiences and visiting jazz fans. - The festival also supports local artists, restaurants, exhibitors, sponsors and hundreds of volunteers, making it a larger cultural and economic gathering beyond the concerts.

What happened: - The festival is set for Aug. 21-23 at Esther Short Park in Vancouver, Washington. - Hours are Friday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. - Organizers announced a 16-act lineup featuring Paquito D’Rivera, New York Voices, Too Slim & The Taildraggers, Chuchito Valdés, The Rumble featuring Big Chief Joseph Boudreau Jr., David Benoit, Polyrythmics, Jovino Santo Neto Quintet, Claudia Villela, Rivkah Ross Quartet, Jasnam Daya Singh, LaRhonda Steele, Michael Allen Harrison, Terry Robb, Adam Scramstad, Norman Sylvester Band and Lilla. - The festival’s stated goal for 2026 is to showcase a wide range of music while pairing internationally known artists with emerging talent and Pacific Northwest bands.

The details: - Tickets cost $25 for Friday and $35 for Saturday and Sunday. - A three-day pass costs $110, and a two-day pass costs $80. - Wine, food and beverages are sold separately. - Reserved tables cost $350 and include catering, wine, a logo wine glass and other benefits. - Tickets are available at the festival website or by calling 360-906-0441. - The festival celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2025 and drew visitors from 15 states and 127 cities. - The event has received Southwest Washington “Event of the Year” recognition from the Washington Festivals and Events Association. - The festival also received a 2025 grant from the Paul G. Allen ArtsFund Foundation. - Fifteen professional fine artists from Washington, Oregon and California will show and sell work in watercolor, acrylic, oil, textiles, photography, pottery, mixed media and jewelry. - Artwork prices range from $50 for prints, pottery and custom jewelry to $5,000 for original paintings. - More than 70 Northwest wines will be available, including selections from Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley and Walla Walla, plus wines from California, Chile and Argentina. - Maryhill Winery is the official wine sponsor. - Attendees can sample wine in 1-ounce pours or buy 5-ounce glasses with meals. - Northwest craft beers on tap include Loowit Hazy IPA, barrel Mountain Brewery and others. - Five restaurants will serve food including Northwest crab cakes, Greek gyros, Turkish cuisine, southern BBQ, charcuterie and desserts. - Commercial exhibitors include Vancouver Toyota, Cutco Cutlery and Renewal by Andersen. - The event uses outdoor general-admission grass seating, and attendees may bring blankets or lawn chairs. - Children 12 and younger are free with a paid adult. - Sponsors include McCord’s Vancouver Toyota, US Bank, Vancouver RV Center, Evergreen Home Loans, Handris Realty Company, Johnson Bixby, Vancouver Hilton, Washington Trust Bank, Maryhill Winery, The Odom Corporation, Total Wine & More, Beacock Music, Brand Safway, Buckley & Associates, Collins Family & Implant Dentistry, Portland Piano Company, Waste Connections, Willscot, Anderson Leadership Foundation, Hedinger Family Foundation, James Anderson Family Giving Fund, Paul G. Allen ArtsFund Foundation, Tim Leavitt, private donors and hundreds of volunteers.

Between the lines: - The lineup suggests a deliberate push to balance marquee names such as Paquito D’Rivera and New York Voices with Pacific Northwest favorites and younger artists. - The festival’s mix of ticketed music, fine art, wine tasting and food vendors helps broaden its audience beyond jazz purists. - Recognition, grant support and a long attendance history point to an established regional event with cultural credibility.

What's next: - Organizers will sell tickets and reserved tables ahead of the Aug. 21-23 event. - Festivalgoers can expect additional on-site wine, food, art and exhibitor activity throughout the weekend. - The event will continue to rely on sponsors, volunteers and community participation to stage the three-day festival.