[GW] Music Festivals Held During Golden Week [2026] — List of Rock and Outdoor Festivals

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.

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.

“OTODAMA – Onsensoul” is a Japanese rock festival run by the Kansai promoter Shimizu Onsen, held continuously since 2005. The venue is Izumiotsu Phoenix in Osaka, known for its open, seaside setting. Playing on the words “onsen” (hot spring) and “onsen” (sound spring), the grounds feature hot-spring-inspired touches throughout, and its unique worldbuilding—incorporating different motifs each year—is part of the appeal. In May 2026, it will take place over two days during Golden Week.

This music event, which began in Takamatsu City in 2011, is held under the banner “Music on the Street @ Kagawa” to enliven the city. On the first day, “MUSIC ON THE STREET” takes place across eight venues in the central downtown area, including Marugamemachi and in front of Takamatsu Station; on the second day, “MUSIC BY THE SEA” unfolds along the waterfront at Sunport—letting visitors enjoy both the city and the sea. A diverse lineup of performers from all genres brings color to street corners. Scheduled for May 2026, it is being organized in collaboration with UNESCO International Jazz Day 2026.

The Hateruma Island Music Festival is a remote-island fest that began in 1997, launched by singer and island native Isamu Kajiiku and volunteers from the local alumni association to revitalize the island. The venue is an open-air stage on Hateruma Island, which floats north of Iriomote Island and has only a few dozen residents, offering a stunning location overlooking an emerald-green sea. With the theme “Let it reach you! Big energy from a small island,” island songs, sanshin, and pop music resound as locals and visitors come together in rhythm and applause. It will be held in May 2026 during the Golden Week holiday.