Pentastic Jazz Festival (Image Credit: Facebook)

By Vernon Matters Staff

Event Cancelled

Pentastic Hot Jazz & Music Festival cancelled after nearly 30 years

Apr 6, 2026 | 11:21 AM

The Pentastic Hot Jazz & Music Festival has been cancelled, bringing an end to one of the South Okanagan’s longest-running music events.

The board of directors for the Pentastic Jazz Society says it has made the “difficult decision” to call off what would have been the festival’s 28th annual edition, citing a combination of challenges it says are no longer manageable.

Organizers point to ongoing issues with U.S. musicians crossing the border, reduced grant funding, rising operating costs and an aging audience as key factors behind the decision.

The festival has been a fixture in Penticton for roughly three decades, pausing only for two years during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over that time, it has drawn visitors to the region and contributed to the local economy while building a reputation as a gathering place for jazz enthusiasts.

Despite continued support from sponsors, the City of Penticton and longtime attendees, organizers say external pressures ultimately made it impossible to move forward.

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“This was a difficult decision to make,” said Beth Campbell of the Pentastic Jazz Festival Society. “But, unfortunately, the math didn’t make sense. The cost of organizing these events has made it very challenging to deliver a quality product, and we couldn’t settle for less. We owe that to our patrons who have enjoyed the festival for decades.”

The society is thanking volunteers and supporters who helped shape the event over the years, calling the festival a source of “joy, music and connection” in the community.