Using で to mark location with ある?

Question

My understanding is that the verb ある describes where something is, which means に is the correct particle to mark location. However there have been several cases I've come across where ある's location actually uses で:

(Requesting vacation time from a boss) あの、実は来月、私の国で姉の結婚式がありまして...

日本ではよくある - be common in Japan

I know I've seen more, but I'm struggling to find more at the moment. If more examples would help let me know.

Is this related to how we mark location with で in noun/adjective sentences somehow?

Answer 1

ある usually describes a (long-term) existence, but ある sometimes means "(for an event) to happen; to be held". In such cases, you have to use not に but で just like other action verbs. よく ("commonly", "often") is an adverb that clearly indicates the following ある means "to happen".

Examples (use of に is incorrect):

• 明日デパートでセールがある。
  There will be a sale at the department store tomorrow.
• この企画について昨日の会議で決定があった。
  A decision about this project was made at yesterday's meeting.

See also:

• Why not 東京で?「東京にいつ激しい地震があるか誰にもわからない」