[2025–2026] A roundup of popular winter festivals: Music festivals for the cold season

Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICKeisuke Hane
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. After working at a music studio and in wedding sound engineering, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with various instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in middle school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on personal music activities and professional experience, produces daily articles, including song introductions, features on music festivals around Japan, and live reports. Enjoys a wide range of music, from domestic and international rock to, more recently, a broad spectrum of J-pop.

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.

December

MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVALSun, 12/7, Kanagawa Prefecture

http://www.montreuxjazz.jp

One of the world’s three major jazz festivals, the Montreux Jazz Festival, is set to be held in Tokyo this October as Montreux Jazz Festival Japan 2016! In addition to live performances by top artists from Japan and abroad, a variety of events such as workshops will also take place.

Schedule	Sunday, December 7, 2025
place	Pia Arena MM, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Website	http://www.montreuxjazz.jp
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Meriken Music Nights – WinterSun, Dec 7 – Hyogo Prefecture

meriken-music.com

Schedule	Sunday, December 7, 2025
place	Meriken Park, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture
Website	https://meriken-music.com/2024winter

Himeoto FestivalSun, Dec 7 – Hyogo Prefecture

Schedule	Sunday, December 7, 2025
place	Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, ACRIER Himeji / and others
Website	https://himeon.jp/
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SHUNAN OrbitSunday, December 7 – Yamaguchi Prefecture

Schedule	Sunday, December 7, 2025
place	Yamaguchi Prefecture Shunan City LIVE rise / RISING HALL
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Every day is ChristmasFri 12/12 – Thu 12/25, Kanagawa Prefecture

christmasdays.jp

Christmas Every Day at the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse has become an annual tradition. As the title suggests, this event features several live performances every day throughout the Christmas season. In addition to the concerts, exclusive Christmas-themed original food and drinks are also available for purchase.

Schedule	Fri, Dec 12–Thu, Dec 25, 2025
place	Kanagawa Prefecture, Yokohama City, Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse
Website	https://christmasdays.jp/
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GO OUT CAMP WinterFri 12/12 – Sun 12/14, Shizuoka Prefecture

http://www.gooutcamp.jp

Organized by the magazine GO OUT, this is one of the largest camping festivals in Japan and has been held in various formats as part of the GO OUT CAMP series. Among them, this camp-in festival is rare for being held in winter, making it especially recommended for those accustomed to winter camping. You can enjoy a unique experience gazing at the night sky in the crisp, clear air or listening to music by the campfire with a drink in hand. The venue also offers a variety of activities and markets, so it’s an event where you can choose how you want to spend your time freely.