Kansai Music Festivals [2026]: Spotlight on Must-See Outdoor Fests & Events

This event has been held since 2013, launched by the Osaka Sakai-based bands GOOD 4 NOTHING and THE CHINA WIFE MOTORS out of a desire to give back to their hometown. The venue has been in Sakai City since the beginning, and the event is deeply rooted in Sakai, with booths introducing local food, clothing, housing, and various cultures. This year, the venue has been moved to Sakai City’s Umi to no Fureai Hiroba, featuring an outdoor stage. With the event taking place at the end of May, the weather should be just right for a comfortable and enjoyable time.

This is a festival held under the catchphrase “Rock for 1,000 yen”! Of course, the ticket price is an incredible 1,000 yen. Despite the affordable tickets, notable artists perform every year, making it a must-see festival you won’t want to miss!

Jaiga is a popular summer festival held in Osaka every year. This time, it’s being held as the second installment of a spin-off event. Unlike the first installment, THE BONDS -AMAZING OSAKA-, this one takes a circuit-style format across several live houses. While preserving the signature Jaiga vibe that brings together bands from a wide range of genres like rock and pop, the spin-off’s appeal lies in offering a more intense, up-close experience of the artists’ performances.

This is a free outdoor event organized by an artist I met in Hirakata, Osaka. Centered on singer-songwriters, you can enjoy music from a variety of genres. When lyrics that gently wrap around your heart and give you a little push come flowing in with the sound of acoustic instruments, you can’t help but feel a sense of warmth, right? MUSIC HEROES is a place where you can share a great time with fellow music lovers while experiencing that kind of musical emotion. There’s also a flea market, so feel free to drop by.

Kita Omi FREALY JAMMiN’ is a music festival held at the Shiga Prefectural Culture and Industry Exchange Center Event Hall. The live house B-FLAT in Shiga is involved in production, so the festival has a vibe very close to that of a live house. The tickets are reasonably priced, so why not start your festival experience here?