Main Event, Summer

Welcome to the World Music and Dance Festival! WMDF is held around Motomachi Park, with multiple stages and festival areas. A pass is required for the Motomachi Park venue, while the Koukaidou Old Public Hall area is free to enter. In the event of severe weather, outdoor events may be cancelled and will not be postponed.

Schedule

• Motomachi Park is open from 15:30 to 21:00.
• For each artist’s appearance dates, please see the individual pages in the Artists section.

The main WMDF venue is Motomachi Park, overlooking Hakodate Bay and Mt. Hakodate. The 2026 map shows the latest stage, area, booth, and venue information.

Away from the Motomachi Park venue, several WMDF artists will also appear at WMDF × LOFT SESSION. The event will be held at LOFT HAKODATE from 15:00 on Monday, August 10. A special price is available for people who have already purchased a WMDF SpoPass. For details, please check LOFT HAKODATE on Instagram and related announcements. Advance tickets are available at LOFT HAKODATE.

• Poland / Argentina: Zubek & Pentz Piazzolla Duo
• Osaka: micromus
• Future Edo: Seppuku Pistols

(A) Atlas Stage / Atlas Area

Atlas is the symbolic main stage of the Motomachi Park venue. WMDF began here as an international festival in 2008, making use of the magnificent view over Hakodate Bay and the city’s historic waterfront. The name Atlas comes from the figure in Greek mythology whose name is said to mean “the one who supports.”

(B) Bunda Stage / Bunda Area

Bunda Stage appeared in 2010 as WMDF’s second major stage. In contrast with Atlas, the audience space is open and relaxed, creating an atmosphere that naturally invites people to dance. It is also a favourite area for street performers. The name Bunda comes from an Arabic star name associated with good fortune.

(C) Chara Stage / Chara Area

Chara Stage was created in 2014 in response to requests from artists for a smaller, more intimate place to perform. It is designed for solo appearances, small groups, spontaneous collaborations, and street performance. Chara comes from the star name in Canes Venatici and carries the meaning “joy.”

(D) Deneb Stage / Deneb Area

Climb the steps above Atlas Stage and you find a panoramic view of Hakodate Bay and Mt. Hakodate. Deneb was created in 2011 as WMDF’s fourth area, with decoration, benches, barrel tables, and festival atmosphere. Deneb means “tail” in Arabic and is one of the stars of the Summer Triangle, used as a guide for navigation.

(G) Gemini Stage

Gemini Stage was born in 2019. It focuses especially on street performance and workshops, giving this part of the park a different colour from the larger concert stages. It is popular as a place where artists and visitors feel especially close.

(H) Hub Stage

The Hub Stage grew from the idea of a platform that can be enjoyed from all directions. Realised as a 360-degree stage in 2024, it is used for dance, participatory performances, and moments when the audience becomes part of the circle.

(J) Jewel Box

The red-brick building between Bunda and Chara is the former Kaitakushi Hakodate Branch Office Library, an important piece of brick-built heritage. Its doors opened for the 2024 festival, revealing a space that had been known only to a few. We named it the Jewel Box, after the poetic star cluster named by John Herschel.

(E) Eudora Stage

Eudora Stage is the special performance space in front of the historic Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward. Created in 2012, it is not a physical stage but an intimate open area where audiences can experience performance close up. The night lighting of the Old Public Hall gives this stage a magical atmosphere. Entry to this area requires no pass or ticket.

(F) Flare Area — taking a break this year

Flare Area was created in 2014 at Perry Square as a place for the Waku Waku Festival, where children and young-at-heart adults can move, play, and shine. “Flare” refers not to a star name but to a burst of bright energy. This area is taking a break for the 2026 festival.

WMDF sometimes holds special Worlds Meet Bar events before or after the main summer festival. These events bring people together through world cocktails, music, and the WMDF spirit. The timing changes from year to year, so please check the News section for the latest announcements.