Spring Music Festival Schedule Overview [2026]

The Sapporo Lilac Festival began in 1959 at the urging of cultural figures who proposed “holding cultured events in the season when lilacs bloom,” and it heralds the arrival of early summer in Sapporo. Centered in Odori Park, where about 400 lilac trees blossom, the festival features a variety of programs such as the Lilac Music Festival, a wine garden, and a stamp rally. The Kawashimo venue, where more than 200 varieties are in full bloom, is also included, and the festival will be held in May 2026.

Tennozu Canal Fes is a free-admission community event held in Tennozu Isle, a waterside neighborhood known for art. Organized by the Tennozu Canal Side Activation Association, it lets visitors enjoy music, film, art, and food all at once along the canal. The Spring/Summer 2026 edition will take place from May 22 to 24, featuring a wide range of programs centered on “DO THE NORTH!”, a collaboration with Hokkaido culture, including live performances on boats, a waterside film festival, and a gourmet market.

Nanyo Wine Fest is a rare street-style wine event even for the Tohoku region. Set in the Akayu Onsen district of Nanyo City, Yamagata Prefecture, the streets of the hot spring town are closed to traffic and opened up entirely as a festival venue, bringing together six wineries from within the city. In addition to wine tastings and interactions with the makers, the event features DJ-led music and food booths serving dishes that pair well with wine. In 2026, it will be held on May 23 on the prefectural road and parking lot in front of Ekubo Plaza.