List of Local Festivals Nationwide [2026]

This is the third Village Festival, held in the beautiful rural area of Hido, Iga City. It began when the opening dates of three village establishments—“Scoop,” “Fuurinya-shiki Kazekoro,” and “Cafe & Bar ChouChou”—happened to coincide on May 1, and it developed into an event celebrating each shop’s anniversary. With the theme “Enjoy Japan’s original landscapes and create Japan’s future,” the festival offers thanks to the village’s guardian deity, Hachidai Ryuo, and features a diverse program including a lion dance, a wind chime concert, belly dancing, and a performance by the erhu duo Onto. It will be held in May 2026.

HARE stämman is the new name for the Swedish-style participatory music event “Nordic Forest Concert,” held every May since 2016 in Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture. With the catchphrase “Bring your instrument and gather,” it will mark its 9th edition in 2026. The venue is the Ureshino Furusato Kaikan Multipurpose Hall, and the event is scheduled for May 4, starting at 12:30 p.m. Advance tickets are 2,500 yen, same-day tickets are 3,000 yen, and admission is free for elementary school students and younger.

The Tsu Jazz Festival is a jazz event held in the heart of Tsu—around the Daimon area—aimed at revitalizing the city center and fostering the region’s musical culture. Eight venues across the downtown area, including the Tsu Chamber of Commerce Hall and the park in front of the castle, are operated by local musicians themselves and sustained by sponsorship from local businesses. More than 40 bands perform, joined by a diverse lineup of guest musicians. In May 2026, for its 11th edition, the entire city will be enveloped in the sounds of jazz.

The Mie Blues Festival is a free-admission music event held at Oto no Mori Campground in Yokkaichi City. With the slogan “LOVE & PEACE,” it’s presented as a heartwarming, happy music festival. Musicians from a wide range of genres—not limited to blues but also rock, R&B, jazz, and pop—gather to perform, and more than 20 vendors offer food, drinks, and goods. There will also be an exhibition of classic domestic vintage cars and American classic cars. The event is scheduled for May 2026.