2026 Roundup of Popular Winter Festivals: Music Festivals for the Cold Season

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.

Until now, when people talked about music festivals, the standard was summer festivals held outdoors.

But lately, winter festivals held during the colder months have also become the norm.

Most winter festivals are indoor events held in large halls or exhibition centers, and even in the cold of winter, the venues are filled with excitement.

In this article, we’ll introduce a whole lineup of these hot winter music festivals!

From Christmas events and countdown events to those held right after the New Year, there’s a full schedule.

Past events

Happy New Year! Idol First Dream LiveFri 1/2 – Sat 1/3, Tokyo

atjam.jp

Schedule	Fri–Sat, Jan 2–3, 2026
place	Tokyo, Koto City, Zepp DiverCity / DiverCity Tokyo Plaza Festival Square
Website	https://atjam.jp/

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New Beginning FesSun, Jan 4 – Tokyo Metropolis

Schedule	Sunday, January 4, 2026
place	Tokyo Garden Theater, Koto City, Tokyo Metropolis
Website	https://www.new-beginning-fes.jp/
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rockin’on sonicSun, 1/4 (Chiba Prefecture)

Schedule	Sunday, January 4, 2026
place	Makuhari Messe International Exhibition Hall, Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture
Website	https://rockinonsonic.com/
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THICK FESTIVALSun, Jan 4 — Kanagawa Prefecture

A festival hosted by the three-piece melodic punk band SECRET 7 LINE will be held. In 2016, there was a great sorrow for them and for us fans, but seeing them overcome it and continue to perform is truly moving. Live-show kids, be sure to check it out.