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

Since its start in 2009, this is Hokkaido’s only joint K-POP music festival and, as an official Sapporo Snow Festival partner event, it marks its 17th edition. Staged at Zepp Sapporo in Sapporo, it promotes Japan–Korea cultural exchange and the GFSC charity campaign, and is known as a “gateway to K-POP stardom” that has featured artists like BTS and SHINee. In February 2026, four boy groups—n.SSign, JUSTB, ONE PACT, and TIOT—will come together.

“SNOW MIKU” is a festival held annually in Hokkaido since 2010, as Crypton Future Media—the developer of Hatsune Miku—is based in Sapporo. In 2026, its 17th iteration will take place over two days, February 7–8, with Wing Bay Otaru in Otaru serving as the main venue. With the theme “Happy Pâtisserie,” the main visual will be by Bu-ta and the theme song by Iyowa, and a range of programs will bring the world to life, including the Snow Miku snow sculpture, the Snow Miku tram, and a creators’ market.