Mie Festival Calendar [2026]: A Roundup of Music Festivals and Outdoor Events

HARE stämman is the new name for the Swedish-style participatory music event “Nordic Forest Concert,” held every May since 2016 in Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture. With the catchphrase “Bring your instrument and gather,” it will mark its 9th edition in 2026. The venue is the Ureshino Furusato Kaikan Multipurpose Hall, and the event is scheduled for May 4, starting at 12:30 p.m. Advance tickets are 2,500 yen, same-day tickets are 3,000 yen, and admission is free for elementary school students and younger.

This independently produced festival, hosted by Yabai T-Shirts Yasan, is distinguished by its unique format of renting out the entire Shima Spain Village Parque España theme park in Shima City, Mie Prefecture. Visitors can enjoy attractions in the Spain-inspired park while also taking in live performances: Day 1 features a solo headlining show by Yabai T-Shirts Yasan, and Day 2 is a festive lineup welcoming acts such as ORANGE RANGE and Uchikubi Gokumon Doukoukai. The event will be held over two days, May 9 and 10, 2026.

The Tsu Jazz Festival is a jazz event held in the heart of Tsu—around the Daimon area—aimed at revitalizing the city center and fostering the region’s musical culture. Eight venues across the downtown area, including the Tsu Chamber of Commerce Hall and the park in front of the castle, are operated by local musicians themselves and sustained by sponsorship from local businesses. More than 40 bands perform, joined by a diverse lineup of guest musicians. In May 2026, for its 11th edition, the entire city will be enveloped in the sounds of jazz.

The Mie Blues Festival is a free-admission music event held at Oto no Mori Campground in Yokkaichi City. With the slogan “LOVE & PEACE,” it’s presented as a heartwarming, happy music festival. Musicians from a wide range of genres—not limited to blues but also rock, R&B, jazz, and pop—gather to perform, and more than 20 vendors offer food, drinks, and goods. There will also be an exhibition of classic domestic vintage cars and American classic cars. The event is scheduled for May 2026.

“2525 MUSIC FES” is a music festival launched in 2025 by the mobile marché “2525marché,” championing “A FUN TIME FULL OF SMILES,” and set in Chubudai Sports Park in Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture. Centered on reggae, hip-hop, and R&B, it features a paid live area with performers including VIGORMAN, alongside a free area with around 100 food and market stalls and a kids’ area. The second edition will be held in May 2026.

The Kameyama JAZZ Festival is a celebration of jazz held in Kameyama City, Mie Prefecture, and 2026 will mark its second edition. Using venues across the city—including the Kameyama Cultural Center, the City Library, Seki Junior High School, Michi-no-Eki Sekijuku, Zuihoken, Kameyama Sunshine Park, and the Meihan Seki Drive-in—the festival is a free event aimed at providing performance opportunities for amateur groups and promoting local culture. The 2026 festival is scheduled for two days, September 26 and 27.