20-Year-Running Music Festival to Conclude with its 20th Edition: 'Ikebukuro Jazz Festival 2026' to be Held on May 16th and 17th!
Key facts
- 20-Year-Running Music Festival to Conclude with its 20th Edition: 'Ikebukuro Jazz Festival 2026' to be Held on May 16th and 17th!
- Toshima City, the Ikebukuro Jazz Festival Executive Committee, and the Ikebukuro West Exit Shopping Street Association will host the final 'Ikebukuro Jazz Festival 2026' on May 16th and 17th. This 20th installment will feature approximately 180 bands and 1,700 performers, including Kei Akagi, the only Japanese official keyboardist of Miles Davis's band, as the festival concludes its vibrant history of community revitalization through music.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: May 12, 2026
Direct answer
Toshima City, the Ikebukuro Jazz Festival Executive Committee, and the Ikebukuro West Exit Shopping Street Association will host the final 'Ikebukuro Jazz Festival 2026' on May 16th and 17th. This 20th installment will feature approximately 180 bands and 1,700 performers, including Kei Akagi, the only Japanese official keyboardist of Miles Davis's band, as the festival concludes its vibrant history of community revitalization through music.
- Citation
- 20-Year-Running Music Festival to Conclude with its 20th Edition: 'Ikebukuro Jazz Festival 2026' to be Held on May 16th and 17th! (May 12, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- May 12, 2026
Toshima City, the Ikebukuro Jazz Festival Executive Committee, and the Ikebukuro West Exit Shopping Street Association will host the final 'Ikebukuro Jazz Festival 2026' on May 16th and 17th. This 20th installment will feature approximately 180 bands and 1,700 performers, including Kei Akagi, the only Japanese official keyboardist of Miles Davis's band, as the festival concludes its vibrant history of community revitalization through music.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 12, 2026 at 00:07
- 🔍 Collected: May 11, 2026 at 15:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 11, 2026 at 20:53 (5h 21m after Collected)
The "Ikebukuro Jazz Festival 2026" will be its final installment this year.
This event began in 2004 with the theme of "town revitalization through music," aiming to fill the entire Ikebukuro West Exit area with music. In 2009, it transformed into its current street festival format, allowing amateur bands to participate through open recruitment. Marking its 20th anniversary and final run this year, approximately 180 bands and about 1,700 musicians, exceeding last year's numbers, from amateur bands to professional musicians, will perform live across 8 venues around Ikebukuro West Exit, an increase of 2 venues from last year.
Furthermore, for the finale of this event, Kei Akagi, the only Japanese official keyboardist member of the band led by the "King of Jazz," Miles Davis, will make his first appearance. His performance with "Kei Akagi Special Quintet" will envelop the town of Ikebukuro in the lingering sound of music.
Comment from the Executive Committee Chairman
Regarding the upcoming event, the Executive Committee Chairman commented, "For about 20 years, players, audience members, and staff alike have enjoyed filling the town of Ikebukuro with music. I feel that everyone has been delighted. Please look forward to the finale."
"Ikebukuro Jazz Festival 2026" Event Outline
Date: Saturday, May 16th and Sunday, May 17th, Reiwa 8 (2026)
11:00 AM - 7:45 PM *Event times and closing times vary by venue.
Venues: 8 locations around Ikebukuro West Exit
(1) Ikebukuro West Exit Park Open-Air Theater (GLOBAL RING THEATRE)
(2) Ikebukuro West Exit Station Square
(3) Tobu Department Store 8th Floor Rooftop Sky Deck Plaza
(4) Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre Front Plaza
(5) IT Tower Tokyo IT Square
(6) Metropolitan Plaza Building 1st Floor Free Passageway
(7) In front of hotel hisoca
(8) In front of Music Studio Forte Geigeki Store
Admission: Free, no reservation required
Organizer: Ikebukuro Jazz Festival Executive Committee
Co-organizers: Toshima City, Ikebukuro West Exit Shopping Street Association
Details: https://ikebukurojazz.com/
"Kei Akagi Special Quintet"
Scenes from last year
*You can download this press release PDF here ↓
d165139-48-2b4cfbd2ba865a7a7873bd3a8273bc83.pdf
FAQ
What are the key facts in this article?
Toshima City, the Ikebukuro Jazz Festival Executive Committee, and the Ikebukuro West Exit Shopping Street Association will host the final 'Ikebukuro Jazz Festival 2026' on May 16th and 17th. This 20th installment will feature approximately 180 bands and 1,700 performers, including Kei Akagi, the only Japanese official keyboardist of Miles Davis's band, as the festival concludes its vibrant history of community revitalization through music.
What is the direct answer?
Toshima City, the Ikebukuro Jazz Festival Executive Committee, and the Ikebukuro West Exit Shopping Street Association will host the final 'Ikebukuro Jazz Festival 2026' on May 16th and 17th. This 20th installment will feature approximately 180 bands and 1,700 performers, including Kei Akagi, the only Japanese official keyboardist of Miles Davis's band, as the festival concludes its vibrant history of community revitalization through music.
What is the source and date?
PR Times: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000048.000165139.html | May 12, 2026