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

As a spin-off of hoshioto, which is held annually in Okayama Prefecture, this event is titled machioto because, unlike hoshioto—which takes place at a campground under starry skies—it is held in live music venues in the city. It’s a circuit-style event that takes place across several live houses in Okayama City. Why not come and discover some new music?

Entertainment might be transformed by the power of young people. Organized by Y-PU ENTERTAINMENT, this is a new kind of festival planned and run mainly by university students. HANGEKI FES is being held with the desire to revitalize entertainment through our own efforts, at a time when everyday life can no longer be enjoyed as before due to the spread of COVID-19. Keep an eye on the lineup, featuring artists selected through auditions and picks curated by trend-savvy young generations. It’s a wonderful event where simply taking part lets you support entertainment in many different ways.

This is a Christmas event held in Hakodate, Hokkaido. While the event itself runs from December 1 to 25, “Fantastic Eve” takes place on the 23rd and 24th, and a “Christmas Night Ceremony” is held on the evening of the 25th. Since it’s Hokkaido, there’s a high chance of a white Christmas, making this one of the Christmas events you’ll definitely want to check out.