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

Mountain festivalSat, Jan 24 – Kanagawa Prefecture

Schedule	Saturday, January 24, 2026
place	Yokohama Arena, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Website	https://event.1242.com/events/yamafes2025/
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Niigata Jazz StreetSat, Jan 24 — Niigata Prefecture

This event, launched with the hope of brightening and energizing Niigata, is a jazz festival held at venues such as restaurants, jazz cafes, and halls throughout Niigata City. Influenced by the postwar occupation forces and the American Cultural Center, Niigata has long had strong ties to jazz. On this day, the city becomes a “music theme park,” offering a day of enjoyment for everyone from adults to children.

Schedule	Saturday, January 24, 2026
place	Niigata Prefecture, Niigata City / Various venues in the city center
Website	https://niigatajazzstreet.com/

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FUKUOKA MUSIC FES.Sat 1/24 – Sun 1/25, Fukuoka Prefecture

It has been 30 years since the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks relocated to Fukuoka. As one of the commemorative projects for this 30th anniversary year, the FUKUOKA MUSIC FES will be held. This is their first music festival as a self-produced event. In honor of the 30th anniversary, the lineup is star-studded! There are tickets that let you enjoy experiences unique to the Yafuoku Dome, as well as VIP tickets that include access to a buffet.

Schedule	Saturday–Sunday, January 24–25, 2026
place	Mizuho PayPay Dome, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Website	https://fukuokamusic-fes.com/
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Gifu Jazz FestivalSun, Jan 25 – Gifu Prefecture

gifu-culture.info

This is a jazz festival held at the Gifu Civic Hall Main Auditorium. If you want to listen to or experience jazz in Gifu, be sure to check it out.

Schedule	Sunday, January 25, 2026
place	Gifu Prefecture, Gifu City, Gifu Civic Hall Large Hall
Website	https://gifu-culture.info/sponsors/detail/581
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Shingu City Citizens’ Music Festival (Rock Division)Sun, Jan 25 – Wakayama Prefecture

Schedule	Sunday, January 25, 2026
place	Tanzaku Hall, Shingu City, Wakayama Prefecture
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