Lovely music festival

Kyoto Music Festivals [2026] Outdoor Festivals and Events 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 introduce a roundup of music festivals held in the ancient capital, Kyoto.

When it comes to music festivals in Kyoto, events hosted by Kyoto-born artists—such as Kyoto Daisakusen, Otohaku, and Porno Chotokkyu—are especially well known.

Beyond those, there are festivals organized by live music venues, events that take place right in the city, and uniquely charming festivals set in the nature-rich northern part of the prefecture—offering a wide variety of characteristics.

From “the rock festival” style to events with a calm, quintessentially Kyoto atmosphere, there’s something for everyone.

Find your favorite and be sure to check one out in person.

Kyoto Prefecture

LIGHT YOUKyoto Prefecture, Sat 9/26–Sun 9/27

minds-llc.jp

“LIGHT YOU” is a hall live event hosted in its hometown by LOCAL CONNECT, a band from Nagaokakyo, Kyoto. With the concept of “a day that brings light to each and every person’s life,” it has been held at the Nagaokakyo Memorial Cultural Hall since 2023. Featuring a carefully selected lineup, the event is known for its warm atmosphere and the close connection between audience and performers. In 2026, it will take place over two days in September.

【LIVE Digest】LIGHT YOU 2025 – LOCAL CONNECT

LIGHT YOU

Schedule	Sat, Sep 26–Sun, Sep 27, 2026
place	Nagaokakyo Memorial Cultural Hall, 4-1-1 Tenjin, Nagaokakyo City, Kyoto Prefecture
Appearance	[9/26] LOCAL CONNECT / ACE COLLECTION / Ivy to Fraudulent Game / Masato Sakurai (Yoshimoto Shinkigeki/FM Osaka) [9/27] LOCAL CONNECT / BRADIO / BURNOUT SYNDROMES / Masato Sakurai (Yoshimoto Shinkigeki/FM Osaka)
Website	https://minds-llc.jp/light-you/

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Kyoto Music ExpoSat 10/10–Sun 10/11, Kyoto Prefecture

kyotoonpaku.net

Schedule	Saturday, October 10, 2026 – Sunday, October 11, 2026
place	Umekoji Park Lawn Square, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Website	http://kyotoonpaku.net
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BorofestaOct 31 (Sat) – Nov 3 (Tue) Kyoto Prefecture

Schedule	Sat, Oct 31, 2026 – Tue, Nov 3, 2026
place	KBS Hall / METRO, Karasuma Kamichojamachi, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Appearance	[11/1] [KBS Hall] ROTH BART BARON / Seiko Oomori / Homecomings / Laura day romance / Moratorium / Furushitatori (Kudarinotori) / Korobuchika / and more / [11/1] [METRO] ExWHYZ / iVy / Thank You, Funk Marvin Gaye / and more / [11/2] [KBS Hall] group_inou / To the Lovers Predetermined in Advance / 88箇所巡礼 (Pilgrimage to 88 Sites) / Pasocom Music Club / THE HAMIDA SHE’S / TOKIMEKI☆JAMBOJAMBO / and more / [11/3] [KBS Hall] Sunny Day Service / tricot / Aooo / 171 / Limited Express (has gone?) / Jose / and more
Website	http://borofesta.jp
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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

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

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

Kizugawa City Kamo Outdoor Music FestivalWed, 4/29 Kyoto Prefecture

This is a citizen-participation outdoor music festival in Kizugawa City, celebrating its 24th edition in 2026. The venue is the East Exit Plaza in front of JR Kamo Station, and groups spanning a wide range of genres will perform, including local junior high and high school brass bands and music circles active in nearby areas. With a concept of promoting interaction with local residents through music and encouraging lifelong learning, it is a beloved spring tradition supported by volunteers across generations who handcraft everything from planning and operations to performances. It will be held on April 29, 2026.

Schedule	Wednesday, April 29, 2026
place	Kamo Station Front Plaza, 1-6-3 Ekini-shi, Kamo-cho, Kizugawa-shi, Kyoto Prefecture
Appearance	Nagamo Music Band / Izumikawa Junior High School Brass Band / Brapagos Band / FLAPPERS / Kizugawa Wind Orchestra / La La La Moka / N-CONNECT / Kamo Children’s Choir / Kizu Junior High School Brass Band / Kizu Minami Junior High School Brass Band / Kyoto Prefectural Nanyo High School & Affiliated Junior High School Brass Band / Kizugawa City Music and Arts Association
Website	https://kamofes-official.jimdofree.com/
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MAIZURU PLAYBACK FES.Sun, Apr 26 — Kyoto Prefecture

Schedule	Sunday, April 26, 2026
place	Kyoto Prefecture, Maizuru City, Maizuru P.B. Harbor Park, Pier No. 3
Website	https://playback-fes.com/
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