Review: The Leith Jazz and Blues Festival 2026

The Leith Jazz and Blues Festival was back from Friday 5 to Sunday 7 June 2026, turning the port’s lively pubs into a trail of live music. This free, community event is a great way to get people into Leith’s famous bars, shining a spotlight on local musicians and independent hospitality.

The festival didn’t just stick to Leith Walk; it spread across the whole area and even reached nearby coastal spots. There was a mix of classic pubs and modern craft beer places, showing how much the event has grown. Crowds filled venues to see great acts, like Hot Tin Roof at the Malt and Hops, and the Pocket Collective Trio at Moonwake Beer Co., a brewery that shows off the area’s cool industrial vibe.

Hyper-Local Trails and Discovery

What really makes the festival special is how it gets people out exploring all the different neighbourhoods in the north of Edinburgh. For lots of folks, it’s a chance to discover pubs they might usually skip. This year, places like Mother Superior, Malt and Hops, Bowlers Rest, the False Widow, and the Fort Bar were all part of the fun.

The festival even reached beyond Leith. The Powder Room, The Bonnington, and the historic Old Chain Pier joined in, too. That last one, right on the edge of Trinity and Newhaven, sits above the Firth of Forth. Watching live music there with the water in the background was a real highlight—definitely worth checking out on your festival weekend.

Kentucky Spirits and Standout Sets

While indie talent dominated the stages, with notable mentions for individual performers like One Man Dancing, who played at The Fort, the festival also introduced unexpected international flavours. This year’s event secured strong civic and corporate backing, with sponsorship from the City of Edinburgh Council, Forth Ports Limited, and prominent local independent brewers Campervan Brewery (affiliated with Lost in Leith) and Newbarns Brewery, located just off Jane Street.

However, a surprise discovery of the weekend was an international partnership with Bluegrass Distillers, travelling all the way from Kentucky, USA. The American distillery hosted free sampling sessions across the weekend, popping up at the Old Chain Pier and Three Marys on Friday, the Shore Deli and Diggers on Saturday, and Bowlers Rest and The Fort on Sunday. Far from a novelty, their straight rye whiskey proved to be a proper treat for discerning Scottish palates, offering a distinct, high-quality alternative to traditional peated drams (available online – although this reporter hears that there is a chance of a local bottle shop stocking the brand).

Overall

The Leith Jazz and Blues Festival remains a brilliant celebration of live music and community hospitality, earning a strong four-star rating. By pairing fantastic, accessible live music with a diverse trail of independent pubs and breweries, it creates an unmatched atmosphere across North Edinburgh. It stands as a vital fixture of the local cultural calendar, and anticipation is already high for its return in 2027.