Music Festivals in May [2026]: Outdoor Festivals and Events Summary

Kobe, which recovered and rebuilt after the damage caused by the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995. There was a great deal of support for the recovery. This charity festival began as a way to give back for that support and has been held every year since. Admission is free every year, and donations are collected throughout the venue. The event has safely been confirmed to take place again this year.

Yoyogi Park is transforming into Okinawa! An immersive outdoor festival will let you feel like you’ve traveled to the islands. On the music stage, artists with ties to Okinawa will fire up the crowd. Join the Okinawa Open-Air Classroom to learn about Okinawan culture in a participatory, lesson-style format, and if you master the Kachāshī dance, you’ll enjoy the live performances even more. You can snack on Okinawan dishes and drinks from over 40 vendors, and even pick up souvenirs normally only available locally. At the experience booth, you can try on traditional Okinawan attire and take photos—perfect for commemorative shots with kids or your dog. We highly recommend joining with the whole family!

Rennon Sound Carnival is a circuit-style event held throughout Kichijoji. Over 30 artists will perform live across six venues set up in Kichijoji. Since it’s a circuit event, attendees move between venues to catch their favorite acts, but one of the charms of this format is stumbling into a venue on a whim and unexpectedly falling in love with a new, unknown artist’s live performance.

TOKYO METROPOLITAN ROCK FESTIVAL, commonly known as METROCK, has been held since 2013. Although it’s a relatively new event, it attracts great popularity, drawing over 30,000 attendees every year since its inception. It takes place in Tokyo and Osaka over a total of four days.

This is a music festival where you can enjoy various activities in the mountains at the Hakuba Iwatake Mountain Resort in Hakuba Village, Nagano Prefecture. During the event, there will be free films, jazz performances, and yoga as part of the hands-on programs. It seems there are also guided tours you can enjoy in nature with advance reservations. The main attraction, of course, is the live music. Savor exceptional performances on a special stage set at the 1,289-meter summit area with breathtaking views. There will also be a livestream on the day, giving those who can’t make it to the venue a chance to enjoy the scenery and the music.