Sildajazz

Sildajazz is one of Haugesund’s best-known cultural events, bringing music, crowds and a vibrant festival atmosphere to the city every summer. Since its beginnings in 1987, the festival has grown into an important part of Haugesund’s cultural identity, with concerts and events taking place at venues throughout the city centre.

As the name suggests, Sildajazz originally had a strong and almost exclusive focus on jazz. Over the years, however, the musical programme has expanded considerably. While jazz remains an important part of the festival’s identity and history, today’s Sildajazz features a much broader mix of artists and genres – from blues, soul and funk to pop, rock and other forms of contemporary music. In many ways, Sildajazz has evolved from a traditional jazz festival into a wider celebration of live music.

During the festival, the streets, waterfront and harbour areas of Haugesund come alive as visitors, musicians and locals gather for several days of concerts, entertainment and social life. Outdoor stages, restaurants, bars and concert venues contribute to an atmosphere that spreads far beyond the individual performances.

This page features a growing collection of photos from Sildajazz, capturing concerts, artists, crowds and the unique festival atmosphere around Haugesund. The images also document how one of the city’s longest-running festivals transforms the city centre and waterfront into lively meeting places filled with music and people.