FNS Music Festival 2026 Announces First Lineup and Two-Week Broadcast Schedule

The annual Japanese television music special FNS Music Festival has officially announced its broadcast schedule and first wave of performing artists for 2026. Hosted by Masaki Aiba and TV Announcer Seika Inoue, the high-profile event will air across two consecutive weeks in December, delivering a combined total of roughly eight and a half hours of live music entertainment to viewers.

The first night of the broadcast is scheduled for Wednesday, December 2, running from 6:30 p.m. to 11:18 p.m. The second night will follow on Wednesday, December 9, broadcasting from 6:30 p.m. to 9:54 p.m. Both evenings will begin with regional programming before shifting to a nationwide network broadcast starting at 7:00 p.m.

Organizers revealed an initial lineup of 36 musical acts and special performers split between the two nights. Night one will feature prominent groups such as Snow Man, Number_i, Stray Kids, JO1, Generative-era performers, and Hey! Say! JUMP, alongside solo and group acts like aiko, yuzu, and green-yellow society. Night two highlights include appearances by SixTONES, King & Prince, INI, IMP., aespa, and NCT DREAM.

This year's festival will also introduce unique collaborative stages and pop-culture crossovers. Characters from the box-office hit animated feature "Chiikawa and the Secret of the Mermaid Island" are set to perform a special medley featuring songs like "Today is a Goodbye," "Rabbit Rap," and "Song of the Island." In addition, the internet sensation puppet character Puppet SunSun will make an appearance to perform the latest track "Color" for the first time on a music television program.

Several groups will be making their debut performances on the FNS stage this season. The large multi-group collective EBiDAN, featuring members selected from Bullet Train, M!LK, Super Dragon, and other associated groups, will perform their milestone fifteenth-anniversary single "Yes! Tokyo." International girl group BABYMONSTER and rising act CORTIS are also scheduled to make their first-ever appearances on the program.

Returning fan favorites are bringing fresh material to the stage as well. EXILE will return to the festival for the first time in five years to perform their 2007 winter hit "Lovers Again," while groups like M!LK and a four-member theatrical unit will present tracks highlighting their recent broadcast successes. Additional performers and specific collaboration details are expected to be announced in subsequent updates as the live broadcast dates approach.