The 68th Sapporo Lilac Festival, heralding the arrival of early summer in Sapporo, will be held for 12 days from Wednesday, May 20th to Sunday, May 31st, centered around Odori Park. Here are the highlights of this event, where you can enjoy music, wine, and various activities while enveloped in the sweet scent of lilacs.

Known as an event that signals the beginning of early summer in Sapporo, the Sapporo Lilac Festival started in 1959. The lilac, which is also designated as Sapporo's official tree, is characterized by its fragrance. During the event, the venues are colored with purple, pink, and white lilacs.

At the Odori Park venue, where about 400 lilac trees are in full bloom, events such as a lilac music festival, a wine garden, and a stamp rally are held. Additionally, at the Kawashimo venue, which was added from the 50th festival, various events like lilac tours and concerts at Kawashimo Park take place.

An antique market is also held in 5-chome

The Odori Park 5-chome venue will be open from Wednesday, May 20th to Sunday, May 24th. It features the "Lilac Chaya" (Lilac Teahouse), where a Japanese tea sommelier introduces how to brew new tea and the taste of hand-rolled tea, an antique appraisal and sales corner, and a lilac exhibition, sales, and consultation corner. On weekends, there will also be a corner for nostalgic games that parents and children can enjoy together.

Sales booths by Sapporo creators

Lilac exhibition, sales, and consultation corner

Odori Park 6-chome, where you can enjoy music and food together

Held from Wednesday, May 20th to Sunday, May 31st, the Odori Park 6-chome "Rira Terrace 2026" will feature the "Rira Terrace Cafe," with popular Sapporo cafes rotating their stalls, as well as "Cafe Meal Booths" and "Sweets Booths." This year, sinfully delicious tacos produced by "mountainman," a farm restaurant in Sapporo known for its "adventurous dining experience," will also be available.

A "green cafe terrace" in the heart of the city

Furthermore, the "Lilac Spring Stage 2026" will feature performances by elementary, middle, and high school brass bands from Sapporo, as well as live music from local musicians. It's a venue where you can enjoy the scent of lilacs and special gourmet food along with live stage performances.

Odori Park 7-chome, where you can fully enjoy Hokkaido-produced wine

Held from Wednesday, May 20th to Sunday, May 31st, the "LILAC WINE GARDEN 2026" in Odori Park 7-chome is a "festival of Hokkaido-produced wine" with one of the largest lineups in Hokkaido! Over 200 types of local wines from more than 50 wineries and vineyards in Hokkaido will be offered.

Lilacs from around the world bloom in Kawashimo Park's "Lilac Forest"

Kawashimo Park in Shiroishi Ward will also be a venue, held for two days on Saturday, May 30th, and Sunday, May 31st. In the park's renowned "Lilac Forest," the early-blooming varieties start to flower in mid-May, and with over 200 varieties, you can enjoy the blooms for about a month and a half until the late-blooming ones finish in early July. It's a venue perfect for a relaxing family visit, with guided tours of the Lilac Forest, a quiz rally, and concerts on stage.

Kawashimo Park Lilac Quiz Rally

Kawashimo Park Concert

*Images are from past events.