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

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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Music Lane Festival OkinawaFri 1/30 – Sun 2/1, Okinawa Prefecture

A showcase festival that brings together up-and-coming artists active in Japan and abroad. Festival and music industry professionals are invited to discover new talent. In Japan, one of the earliest and most notable organizers is the Music Lane Festival Okinawa. Because it receives many participation offers from overseas, this format is more common outside Japan, and it’s an exciting event where general audiences can encounter artists who may soon break through.

Schedule	Fri, Jan 30, 2026 – Sun, Feb 1, 2026
place	Music Town Otoichiba 3F Hall, Okinawa City, Okinawa Prefecture / Music Town Otoichiba 1F Music Plaza / Remy’s
Website	https://musiclaneokinawa.com/archives/53598
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LisAni! LIVESat, Jan 31 – Sun, Feb 1, Tokyo

This festival, held in tandem since its launch in 2010, is constantly pursuing new styles and getting more powerful every year. From major names in the anisong scene to fresh faces, it’s sure to offer something to enjoy across a wide range of genres!