Jazz at the Bolt has established itself as a cornerstone event in Metro Vancouver's music calendar. Now in its sixth year, the festival continues its mission to celebrate the region's vibrant jazz community while providing a platform for emerging talent and internationally recognized artists.

The festival is presented by Cellar Music Group and directed by founder Cory Weeds, who has partnered with Tim Reinert of Infidels Jazz to curate programming that emphasizes musical diversity. As Weeds notes, "Tim's involvement is key to making Jazz at the Bolt a success. His programming really helps give it the element of musical diversity, which is very important."

This year's festival runs across two full days—Saturday, February 14 and Sunday, February 15, 2026—at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts in Burnaby, with an additional standalone Friday evening event on February 13. Attendees can experience more than 25 concerts over the weekend. The 2026 edition features the Ralph Moore Quartet as its primary headliner, bringing together renowned tenor saxophonist Ralph Moore with pianist Dave Kikoski, bassist Peter Washington, and drummer Lewis Nash—a lineup that collectively represents decades of experience and artistry.

Beyond the headliners, Jazz at the Bolt showcases a mix of established performers and rising stars from across Metro Vancouver and the United States, with particular emphasis on talent from New York City. The festival fosters a community atmosphere, bringing together jazz enthusiasts while simultaneously building momentum around the next generation of musicians pushing creative boundaries within the jazz tradition. The venue offers three distinct performance spaces at the Shadbolt Centre, allowing for simultaneous performances and curated programming throughout the festival.