List of Local Festivals Nationwide [2026]

The Tsurumai Park Bluegrass Music Festival, commonly known as “Tsurumai Fes,” is an outdoor music event centered on bluegrass, the acoustic genre that originated in Kentucky, USA. It takes place in the plaza in front of the Music Pavilion at Tsurumai Park in Showa Ward, Nagoya, and is held concurrently with the Spring Flower Festival. Enjoy a day of live performances by a variety of bands showcasing the charms of bluegrass—from its lively, dance-inducing rhythms to its beautiful harmonies. Admission is free, and the event will be held in May 2026.

Imaike Yuran Music Festival is a live-circuit music festival in Nagoya’s Imaike area that started in 2016. With multiple longtime live houses clustered around Imaike Subway Station, attendees can freely move between venues and spend a whole day touring a wide range of genres, including rock, blues, and jazz. The festival also collaborates with the Imaike shopping street, featuring community-wide programs such as open-air karaoke and blues performances. The 13th edition will be held in May 2026.

The Sakae Minami Music Festival is an urban music festival that connects the city and music, launched in 2007 with 13 venues in the Sakae area of Nagoya and around 100 participating indie artists. The venues have expanded across multiple live houses centered on Sakae Minami in Naka Ward, Nagoya, and the festival also ties in with the Minami-Otsu-dori pedestrian paradise to help revitalize the city. With a mission to send artists “from Sakae Minami” out into the world, the festival has featured a total of over 4,100 acts to date. It will be held in May 2026.

Shoshin Shomei is a circuit event organized by the Hamamatsu live project eyedentity. Held multiple times to date, it takes place across four venues around Itayamachi near Hamamatsu Station—Hamamatsu Madowaku, Hamamatsu FORCE, G-SIDE, and TEHOM—featuring a lineup centered on indie bands active nationwide. Championing an on-the-ground ethos, its appeal lies in a robust bill where emerging and mid-career acts intermingle. The 2026 edition will be held on May 10.