Upcoming Events in Sapporo

2024 Sapporo Summer Festival (Four festivals in succession!)

• Date: July 19 (Fri) – August 16 (Fri)
• WEBSite: 2024 Sapporo Summer Festival

Enjoy the short summer of the northern region to the fullest with events like beer gardens, bon dances, Tanuki Festival, Susukino Festival, and more.

Sapporo Odori Beer Garden | July 19 (Fri) – August 14 (Wed)

Sapporo Odori is a summer tradition in Sapporo! The beer garden spans six blocks of Odori Park, from Nishi 5-chome to 11-chome, making it one of the largest beer gardens in Japan.

• 5-chome: Suntory The Premium Malt’s Garden
• 6-chome: ASAHI SUPER DRY BEER PARK
• 7-chome: Kirin Ichiban Shibori Beer Garden
• 8-chome: THE Sapporo Beer Garden
• 10-chome: World Beer Plaza
• 11-chome: Sapporo German Village

Hokkai Bon Odori | August 11 (Sun) – 16 (Fri)

Held from 6 PM to 9 PM in Odori Park 2-chome, this festival involves lively dances and songs to honor and send off the spirits of ancestors who return during the Obon, one of the Buddhist events. Tourists are welcome to join the dance.

Susukino Festival | August 1 (Thu) – 3 (Sat)

Susukino Festival brightens summer with traditional events like the Oiran (courtesans) and Mikoshi (portable shrine) Parade, Taiko drumming performances, and YOSAKOI Soran dance and stage shows. Around 90 food stalls line offer yakitori and oden.

• Oiran Parade: The main event held on the first day. It became an annual attraction from 1985, featuring selected women dressed as courtesans.
• Susukino Stalls: Initially started as a wagon sale, it now features around 100 stalls from local restaurants within the pedestrian zone.
• Union Drums: This impressive drum performance started in 1985, inspired by the idea of a thousand people playing drums between buildings. It kicks off the festival with a powerful atmosphere.

Tanuki Festival | July 19 (Fri) – August 16 (Fri)

Tanuki Festival takes place in the Tanuki Koji Shopping Street, decorated and bustling with various events and activities. Tanuki Koji is located in central Sapporo, with around 200 shops spanning 7 blocks and stretching about 900 meters.

【Free】 Lavender Harvesting Experience 2024

• Location: Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill
• Date: July 4 (Thu) – July 18 (Thu)
• WEBSite: Lavender Harvesting 2024

At Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill, you can enjoy harvesting lavender in a 1,200 sqm field with 1,000 lavender plants. The event is held from July 4 (Thu) to July 18 (Thu) (dates may change depending on blooming conditions). Scissors will be provided, and you can take home up to 50 stalks. Bags for carrying the lavender are also available. The experience is free. Enjoy your harvested lavender as dried flowers or potpourri.

Upcoming Events in other cities of Hokkaido

Yakumo Dashi (Float Parade) Festiva @ Yakumo Town, Oshima District

• Date: July 5th (Fri) – 6th (Sat)

Held annually on the first Friday and Saturday of July, this two-day event features around 30 floats parading through Yakumo Town (Yakumo area). Each group creatively showcases drumming, traditional music, dancing, and other performances to entertain the spectators along the route. During the parade, there is also a judging to determine the grand prize winner and other awards.

Kitami Bonchi Festival @ Various Locations in Kitami

• Date: July 19 (Fri) – July 20 (Sat)
• Fireworks: July 20 (Sat), 7:40 PM – 9:00 PM
• WEBSite: Kitami Bonchi Festival

The festival features young men tugging on a 200m rope in traditional fundoshi attire. The final day concludes with a refreshing fireworks display by the Koizumi riverside ground.

Otaru Ushio Matsuri @ Otaru Port, 3rd Pier

• Date: July 26 (Fri) – 28 (Sun)
• Fireworks: July 28 (Sun), 8:00 PM – 8:40 PM (Cancelled in case of rain)
• WEBSite: Otaru Ushio Matsuri

The festival’s grand finale features a spectacular fireworks display.

Furano Bellybutton Festival

• Date: July 28 – 29
• WEBSite: Furano Bellybutton Festival

Held in Furano, the geographical center of Hokkaido, this unique festival celebrates with participants painting their bellies and dancing with large hats. It attracts visitors from across Japan and abroad, featuring local food stalls and performances.

Hokuryu Town Sunflower Festival

• Date: July 20 (Sat) – August 18 (Sun)
• WEBSite:

Known for having Japan’s largest sunflower field, Hokuryu Town hosts this festival with attractions like the World Sunflower Corner and a sunflower maze popular with children. Hokuryu Town Sunflower Festival

Fireworks Schedule

【BIG EVENT】Makomanai Fireworks Festival @ Makomanai Sekisui Heim Stadium

• Date: July 6 (Sat), Gates open 5:00 PM
• Fireworks: 7:50 PM – 8:50 PM
• WEBSite:

Enjoy food stalls from noon and fireworks from reserved seats. Purchase tickets in advance. Makomanai Fireworks Festival Ticket Purchase

Craftmen’s Workshop Takino Fireworks 2024 @ Takino Suzuran Hillside Park

• Date: July 13 (Sat), Gates open 11:00 AM
• Fireworks: 7:45 PM – 8:15 PM
• WEBSite: Craftmen’s Workshop Takino Fireworks 2024

Experience a spectacular synchronized music and fireworks show. Enjoy food stalls and performances, with camping available post-fireworks. Tickets and parking reservations required.

Fighters 50th Anniversary Fireworks @ ES CON Field Hokkaido

• Date: July 13 (Sat)
• WEBSite: Fighters Fireworks

Over 6,000 fireworks will be launched after the Nippon-Ham Fighters baseball game.

【BIG EVENT】Hakodate Port Fireworks Festival @ Hakodate Port

• Date: July 14 (Sun), 7:45 PM – 8:45 PM
• WEBSite: Hakodate Port Fireworks Festival

One of Hakodate’s three major fireworks festivals, visible from various locations along the waterfront.

Kitami Bonchi Festival @ Various Locations in Kitami

• Date: July 19 (Fri) – July 20 (Sat)
• Fireworks: July 20 (Sat), 7:40 PM – 9:00 PM
• WEBSite: Kitami Bonchi Festival

Featuring the “Ton Den Tsuna Hiki” rope-pulling event and concluding with fireworks.

Ebetsu Fireworks @ 206 Kakuyama, Ebetsu

• Date: July 20 (Sat), 3:00 PM – 9:30 PM
• Fireworks: 7:20 PM – 9:10 PM
• WEBSite: Ebetsu Fireworks

Enjoy a fireworks competition with an RV camping option available. Reservation required.

【BIG EVENT】Doshin/UHB Fireworks Festival @ Sapporo, Toyohira River

• Date: July 26 (Fri), 7:40 PM – 8:30 PM
• WEBSite: Doshin/UHB Fireworks Festival

Free to view, with great spots along the river between Toyohira Bridge and Minami 19-jo Bridge. No parking available.

Otaru Ushio Matsuri @ Otaru Port, 3rd Pier

• Date: July 26 (Fri) – 28 (Sun)
• Fireworks: July 28 (Sun), 8:00 PM – 8:40 PM (Cancelled in case of rain)
• WEBSite: Otaru Ushio Matsuri

The festival’s grand finale features a spectacular fireworks display.

Discover new hokkaido!

July in Hokkaido is a time to start beautiful landscapes. Explore the local culture and scenery through many events. Visit Hokkaido during this season and create unforgettable memories.