January Music Festivals [2026]: Winter Fests, Outdoor Live Shows, and a Roundup of New Year Music Events

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.

In this article, I’ll be introducing music festivals taking place in January! You might not associate the dead of winter with music festivals, but surprisingly, music events are held across the country.

There may not be many, but there are annual staples as well as new, buzzworthy events you won’t want to miss.

As you read, find the perfect event to kick off your year with your first music festival of the season.

Past events

FUKUOKA MUSIC FES.Sat 1/24 – Sun 1/25, Fukuoka Prefecture

It has been 30 years since the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks relocated to Fukuoka. As one of the commemorative projects for this 30th anniversary year, the FUKUOKA MUSIC FES will be held. This is their first music festival as a self-produced event. In honor of the 30th anniversary, the lineup is star-studded! There are tickets that let you enjoy experiences unique to the Yafuoku Dome, as well as VIP tickets that include access to a buffet.

Schedule	Saturday–Sunday, January 24–25, 2026
place	Mizuho PayPay Dome, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Website	https://fukuokamusic-fes.com/
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Gifu Jazz FestivalSun, Jan 25 – Gifu Prefecture

gifu-culture.info

This is a jazz festival held at the Gifu Civic Hall Main Auditorium. If you want to listen to or experience jazz in Gifu, be sure to check it out.

Schedule	Sunday, January 25, 2026
place	Gifu Prefecture, Gifu City, Gifu Civic Hall Large Hall
Website	https://gifu-culture.info/sponsors/detail/581
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Shingu City Citizens’ Music Festival (Rock Division)Sun, Jan 25 – Wakayama Prefecture

Schedule	Sunday, January 25, 2026
place	Tanzaku Hall, Shingu City, Wakayama Prefecture
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