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[2026] December Music Festivals: Winter Fests and New Year’s Countdown Live Roundup

[2026] December Music Festivals: Winter Fests and New Year’s Countdown Live Roundup

Last updated:2026/4/30

[2026] December Music Festivals: Winter Fests and New Year’s Countdown Live Roundup

Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICHane Keisuke
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. After working in a music studio and handling wedding sound, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with a variety of instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in junior high school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on my own musical activities and the experience gained through my work, I produce daily articles, including various song introductions, features on music festivals around the country, and live reports. In music, I enjoy not only rock from Japan and abroad but, lately, a wide range of J-pop as well.
Music Festival Master / Editor-in-ChiefHane Keisuke
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC and in charge of music festivals. When I attended my first music festival as a freshman in college, I was captivated by its charm—“I can’t believe there’s a place this free and this fun.” I share information about wonderful music festivals every day to help grow the community of festival fans.

In this article, we’ll give you a comprehensive roundup of music festivals taking place in December! In addition to the classic annual events held every December, we’ve got a packed lineup that includes festivals newly moved to December this year and brand-new events that are just getting started.

December also means you can’t take your eyes off Christmas events and New Year’s countdown events.

We’ve gathered events from all over the country, across all genres and sizes, so be sure to check out a nearby festival or one that catches your eye!

May

Mujiq Fest NaraFri, 5/1 – Thu, 12/31 Nara Prefecture

https://x.com/musikfest_nara/status/2039180586292752723

Musikfest Nara, whose name comes from the German word for “music festival,” is a large-scale music festival organized by Nara Prefecture that began in 2012. Venues across the prefecture include World Heritage shrines and temples, historic halls, as well as cafés and community centers in town, blending the ancient capital’s scenery with a rich variety of sounds. Centered on classical music, the lineup spans jazz, traditional Japanese music, world/folk music, and rock, fostering a community-wide music culture. In 2026, it will run for an extended period from May through December.

Nara for Culture Muziekfest Nara 2026

Mujiq Fest Nara

Schedule	Fri, May 1, 2026 – Thu, Dec 31, 2026
place	Nara Prefecture Various locations within Nara Prefecture (Nara Kasugano International Forum Iraka / Nara Prefectural Kashihara Cultural Hall / Nara Prefectural Convention Center / Nara Prefectural Cultural Hall)
Appearance
Website	http://www.naraken.com/musik/
SNS

September

Okayama Arts FestivalSep 1 (Tue) – Dec 13 (Sun), Okayama Prefecture

http://www.ocac.jp

Schedule	Tuesday, September 1, 2026 – Sunday, December 13, 2026
place	Okayama Prefecture, Okayama City, Kita Ward, Omotecho 3-11-50, Okayama Arts Creation Theater Harenowa and other cultural facilities, parks, and street corners in the city
Website	https://www.ocac.jp/oarts/1296/

Maebashi International Arts FestivalSep 19 (Sat) – Dec 20 (Sun), Gunma Prefecture

Schedule	Sat, Sep 19, 2026 – Sun, Dec 20, 2026
place	Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture, Central Downtown Area

December

BLAZE UP NAGASAKINagasaki Prefecture, Sat 12/5–Sun 12/6

https://x.com/BLAZEUPNAGASAKI/status/1997629664240750819

Schedule	Sat, Dec 5–Sun, Dec 6, 2026
place	Dejima Messe Nagasaki, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture
Website	http://www.blazeupnagasaki.net/
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Music Festival IncreSunday, 12/6, Hiroshima Prefecture

http://www.kure-bunka.jp

Schedule	Sunday, December 6, 2026
place	Kure Shinkin Bank Hall, 3-10-1 Chuo, Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Website	https://www.kure-bunka.jp/?cn=103945

Kyo Premium LiveKyoto Prefecture, Sat 12/12–Sun 12/13

miyako-premiumlive.jp

Schedule	Sat–Sun, Dec 12–13, 2026
place	Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City, ROHM Theatre Kyoto
Website	http://miyako-premiumlive.jp

Kyoto Sound ExpressKyoto Prefecture, Sat 12/12–Sun 12/13

https://www.instagram.com/p/DIoJscIJXUe

Schedule	Sat–Sun, Dec 12–13, 2026
place	Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City, Kyoto Pulse Plaza
Website	http://porno.rotten-g.com/
SNS