Tokai Region Popular Winter Festivals Special [2025–2026]: Introducing Venues and Artists

Music Festival Master / Editor-in-ChiefKeisuke Hane
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC and in charge of music festivals. When I attended my first music festival as a freshman in college, I was captivated by its charm—“I can’t believe there’s a place this free and this fun.” I share information about wonderful music festivals every day to help grow the community of festival fans.

A series of hot music festivals to blow away the cold will once again take place across the Tokai region this year.

Unique festivals will be held throughout Aichi, Shizuoka, Gifu, Mie, and more, featuring powerful performances by top artists from Japan and abroad.

Here’s a look at winter music festivals filled with heartwarming musical encounters and a rich array of content, including local gourmet food, art, and workshops.

January

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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Dera Rock FestivalSat, Jan 31 – Sun, Feb 1, Aichi Prefecture

derarockfes.radcreation.jp

The large-scale circuit festival “GRAND LINE,” organized by RAD CREATION and held in Nagoya since 2011, has changed its name and expanded to two days. The venues are live houses in the Sakae and Shinsakae areas. While the lineup is centered on younger artists, veteran acts are also featured, giving it a broad and well-rounded feel.

Schedule	Sat, Jan 31–Sun, Feb 1, 2026
place	Aichi Prefecture, Nagoya City DIAMOND HALL / SPADE BOX / HeartLand / Live & Lounge Vio / ROCK’N’ROLL / RAD SEVEN / RADmini / Live & Lounge Vio / RAD / Party’z / TIGHT ROPE / CIRCUS / NAGOYA CLUB QUATTRO / ReNY Limited / HOLIDAY NEXT NAGOYA / Nagoya School of Music & Dance / RAD HALL / TOYS
Website	http://derarockfes.radcreation.jp/
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February

BLARE FESTSat 2/7–Sun 2/8, Aichi Prefecture

blarefest.com

This festival started in 2010 as BLARE DOWN BARRIERS, a live event hosted by coldrain, and from 2020—its 10th year—it has been held as BLARE FEST. With a stellar lineup that festival lovers won’t be able to resist, a sellout seems inevitable. We recommend checking ticket information early. It’s the kind of festival where you’ll want to catch every second across all three stages, so if you’re coming from out of town, plan to stay overnight and make the most of it.

Schedule	Saturday–Sunday, February 7–8, 2026
place	Kinjo-futo 2-chome, Minato Ward, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture / Port Messe Nagoya
Website	https://blarefest.com/
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Shizuoka JAMMon, Feb 23 — Shizuoka Prefecture

Schedule	Monday, February 23, 2026
place	Shizuoka Prefecture, Shizuoka City, Granship