Welcome to the 36th Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues! Before the weekend begins, here’s everything that you need to know.

Where you do I have my ticket scanned?
This year, the Festival Pass returns for Saturday and Sunday. To ensure easy access to our three great venues we will be using wristbands.

Wristbands are available for pick up at St Pats Hall, 1 Ford St between the following times:

2-5pm, Friday 30 October
9am-2.30pm, Saturday 31 October
10-2pm, Sunday 1 November

Please note, Sunday Day Pass wristbands can only be picked up on Sunday morning.

What venues are included in my Day or Weekend Pass?
The Weekend and Day passes give you access to:

• Main Stage @ The Holy Trinity Cathedral, 6 The Close, Wangaratta
• Tiny Jazz @ The Old Baptist Church, 6 Docker St, Wangaratta
• St Pats Hall, 1 Ford St, Wangaratta

Please note that entry to these venues is subject to capacity even if you have a wristband. The Tiny Jazz Stage has limited capacity, so be sure to line up early for a performer you want to see.

But don’t worry, even if you can’t enter one venue, there are still two other great venues with incredible lineups to choose from.

Where can I find a program and venue map?
A program and venue map is available here.

Please help us save paper by downloading the program to your device. A limited number of print copies will be available over the weekend.

I have a ticket to the Opening Night Party. Where do I go? What is included with my ticket?
The Opening Night Party will be held from 6-10pm at St Pats Hall, 1 Ford St. Wristbands are not required for this event and your ticket will be scanned on the door.

Canapes are included in your ticket and are provided by Rinaldos Casa Cucina. Pizzini Wines and Bridge Road Brewery will be serving drinks for purchase throughout the evening.

Opening Night will have cabaret-style, round tables. There is no reserved seating. If you’re attending in a larger group and want to sit together, you are encouraged to arrive early.

The Shuffle Club will provide the night’s entertainment.

What can I bring into the Main Stage @ The Holy Trinity Cathedral?
Ticket holders are welcome to bring a picnic blanket and folding chairs to enjoy the day but shade structures, such as tents and gazebos, are not permitted.

Small personal umbrellas are also welcome however please no large golf or picnic umbrellas.

There will be a shaded marquee with tables and chairs in the middle of the grounds.

All venues are strictly no glass and no BYO areas. Bottled water is permitted and ticket holders are encouraged to bring refillable water bottles to reduce litter. Free water to refill bottles will be available at the Main Stage.

Dogs and other animals are not permitted in any venue, except for assistance animals.

Are the venues accessible for everyone?
The Main Stage @ The Holy Trinity Cathedral and Tiny Jazz @ The Old Baptist Church have step-free entrances. St Pats Hall has an accessible entrance to the side. Please ask one of our volunteers for assistance if you need help finding it.

Main Stage @ The Holy Trinity Cathedral and St Pats Hall also have accessible toilets. Please note there are no toilet facilities at The Old Baptist Church. The closest facilities are at the Holy Trinity Cathedral or the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Conference Centre.

I’m keen for more music. What else is on over the weekend?
There is plenty of music around Wangaratta outside of our Festival program:

• Gwyn Ashton – Roots, Blues & Beyond, 7pm Friday 30 October at The Vine Hotel
• C’Est Si Bon Musique, 2pm Saturday 31 October at Pedal Slowly Brewery
• The Sweet Betrayals, 7pm, Saturday 31 October at The Railyard Café
• The Heavy Kicks, 2pm, Sunday 1 November at Old Faithfulls
• Fiona Boyes Live & Solo, 7pm, Sunday 1 November at The Vine Hotel
• Milawa Monday Jazz Festival, 10am, Monday 2 November, starting at the Milawa Cheese Factory, Milawa

And don’t forget No.49 Record Bar’s Kickass Record Fair, 10am Saturday 31 October at the Wangaratta Club and the Oxley Bush Market from 9am Saturday 31 October.

How can I help the Festival grow?
The Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues is completely volunteer run by Wangaratta locals and supported by our incredible sponsors.
You can help us grow the Festival by:

• Completing a Visitation Survey: telling us about your experience helps us tell our funding bodies about the social and economic impact that our Festival has. It helps us tell our story and secure more funding into the future.
• Donating: every dollar helps and every donation over $2 is tax deductable. Donate here.
• Social media: Follow us on social media, share and like our posts to spread the word on what we are doing. Word of mouth is a powerful way to grow the Festival.
• Buying from our sponsors and other business: visiting our sponsors and other local businesses and buying the amazing food, drink and wares they produce encourages them to partner with us in future years. See below for a list of our sponsors.