With our Oct 20 deadline, we closed the main recruiting for WMDF Edition 018 (Aug 5 – Aug 11 2026). Thanks to the amazing groups who have applied! If you missed out, you are still most welcome to throw your hat in the ring for our 2027 festival (marking 20 consecutive years).

We now enter a short period where we assess the lineup, maybe approach some groups we have been recommended, and also work with contacts made at Japan’s annual International Tourism Expo, where we had a great time in Nagoya at the end of September.

When groups are selected, we use an “Artist@WMDF” online portal for finalising collaborations. Click on the image to go to the page with the colorful guide pdf, and quickly understand all the information you may need to prepare. Hope to see you at our event!

Important WMDF links and dates:

• 2026 Terms and Conditions and Online Registration
• Yearly Application Deadline: 20 Oct
• We especially welcome “firsts” (so far, WMDF has hosted 65 countries/regions)
• Decisions Deadline: 20 Dec 2025 (international artist invitations)
• Performers’ Participation FAQ

This year’s festival was played out by a storming set from the Mahotella Queens. All artists in Hakodate took a final curtain call, with staff and audience joining together to commemorate the theme of “heart” in this final photo.

If you missed something, try catching up with our Day7 video, but better yet, start making your plans to join us next year!

Another Day, another WMDF video! How about making your plans to catch us live in the Park?