List of indie festivals nationwide [2026]

IMAIKE GO NOW will be held across nine venues in Imaike. A wide range of artists—from up-and-comers to big names—have already been confirmed. The appeal of this kind of circuit event is the chance encounters, like discovering an artist you didn’t know but happened to catch and thought was absolutely amazing. Beyond your favorite acts, you might just stumble into a venue on a whim and find a cool artist you’ve never heard of.

Freedom once overcame a crisis of cancellation through crowdfunding. It’s a “thank-you” festival for music fans, with a strong commitment to keeping admission free. On the day, live performances will take place one after another across multiple stages. Odaka Ryokuchi, the venue, is a pleasant spot with plenty of trees and lawns, and it’s also close to the station—access is excellent.

The concept of Mori, Michi, Ichiba is “space.” It is said to express both atmosphere and maai (sense of timing and distance). The event values the unique atmosphere and maai of people, nature, food, works, and music alike. Why not join to rediscover the appeal of not only music but also various creations and many other things?

SAKAE SP-RING, known as Saka-Sup, is a large-scale circuit festival held every year mainly at live music venues in Nagoya. It has become a staple early-summer event in Nagoya. For bands active in the indie rock scene, it serves as a gateway-style circuit festival.

Entertainment might be transformed by the power of young people. Organized by Y-PU ENTERTAINMENT, this is a new kind of festival planned and run mainly by university students. HANGEKI FES is being held with the desire to revitalize entertainment through our own efforts, at a time when everyday life can no longer be enjoyed as before due to the spread of COVID-19. Keep an eye on the lineup, featuring artists selected through auditions and picks curated by trend-savvy young generations. It’s a wonderful event where simply taking part lets you support entertainment in many different ways.

This event has been held since 2013, launched by the Osaka Sakai-based bands GOOD 4 NOTHING and THE CHINA WIFE MOTORS out of a desire to give back to their hometown. The venue has been in Sakai City since the beginning, and the event is deeply rooted in Sakai, with booths introducing local food, clothing, housing, and various cultures. This year, the venue has been moved to Sakai City’s Umi to no Fureai Hiroba, featuring an outdoor stage. With the event taking place at the end of May, the weather should be just right for a comfortable and enjoyable time.

This is a festival held under the catchphrase “Rock for 1,000 yen”! Of course, the ticket price is an incredible 1,000 yen. Despite the affordable tickets, notable artists perform every year, making it a must-see festival you won’t want to miss!