1 Beer Gardens and Bon Dancing! The 73rd Sapporo Summer Festival Colors the Entire City (Sapporo)

The Sapporo Summer Festival is held from July to August. In July, the festivities kick off with the Sapporo Odori Beer Garden, one of Japan's largest beer garden events held from Odori Park 5-chome to 11-chome, and the Tanuki Matsuri, which decorates the shopping arcade for about a month. In August, Hokkaido's iconic Hokkai Bon Odori (Bon Dance) and the Susukino Festival, bustling with an Oiran (courtesan) procession and food stalls, take place. Central Sapporo is filled with a unique summer energy, making this a signature Sapporo summer event where you can enjoy gourmet food, traditional culture, and a festive atmosphere all at once.

2 More Than Just Music! Enjoy Amusement and Gourmet Food at the Massive Outdoor Festival, JOIN ALIVE 2026 (Iwamizawa)

This is Hokkaido's premier outdoor festival, blending music, amusement, and nature. Across five indoor and outdoor stages, a diverse lineup of artists spanning generations and genres will deliver electrifying live performances. The venue, Iwamizawa Park, is adjacent to an amusement park with over 40 attractions. There's also a fantastic selection of gourmet food featuring ingredients from Iwamizawa and the South Sorachi region, allowing you to savor the unique charms of Hokkaido along with the music.

3 Enjoy 4,000 Fireworks from the Toyohira Riverbed: The Doshin & UHB Fireworks Festival 2026 (Sapporo)

A popular fireworks display that fills Sapporo's summer night sky. Set against the backdrop of the Toyohira Riverbed, about 4,000 fireworks, including starmines and aerial shells, will brilliantly color the night. It's a quintessential Sapporo summer event, easily accessible from the city center and attracting large crowds.

4 The 60th Otaru Ushio Festival Fills the Port Town with Traditional Dances and Fireworks (Otaru)

This is a major event that represents summer in Otaru. The entire city of Otaru is enveloped in a festive atmosphere, starting with the "Ushio Furekomi" parade that announces the festival's beginning, followed by the "Ushio Nerikomi," where citizens dance through the streets, and a powerful mikoshi (portable shrine) parade. The main venue features stage shows, gourmet food, festival stalls, and food trucks. On the final day, a fireworks display lights up the summer night against the beautiful scenery of the port town.

5 22,000 Fireworks Synchronized with Music: Sapporo's Largest Fireworks Show, the T×TGARAGE 14th Makomanai Fireworks Festival 2026 (Sapporo)

A signature fireworks event of Sapporo's summer. Through a dynamic production that synchronizes fireworks, music, lighting, and flames, approximately 22,000 fireworks—the largest display in Sapporo—will light up the Makomanai night sky. In addition to a powerful program by some of Japan's leading pyrotechnicians, you can also enjoy popular gourmet food mainly from within Hokkaido, making it the perfect fireworks festival for creating summer memories.

6 Illuminating a Magical Lavender Field: Lavender Festa Kamifurano 2026 (Kamifurano)

A traditional summer event in Kamifurano where you can enjoy a magical lavender field with a different charm from the daytime. The vast lavender fields of Hinode Park will be lit up for a limited time, offering a beautiful view of the purple-dyed flower beds and the enchanting lights. On the first day, there will be a countdown to the illumination and a mini-fireworks display, adding a brilliant touch to summer in Kamifurano.

7 A Fantastical Space Woven by Lasers in the City of Fog: KUSHIRO KIRI FESTIVAL 2026 (Kushiro)

An outdoor festival that utilizes Kushiro's natural symbol, the "sea fog." At night, you can enjoy a magical space created by colorful lasers and music within the fog-enveloped venue. In addition to a live stage, there will be the "Kairo Ichiba" (Seafood Grill Market) featuring gourmet dishes made with seasonal ingredients, and various other attractions, allowing you to fully experience the unique charm of Kushiro.

8 Central Sapporo Buzzes with Stalls, Gourmet Food, and Stage Performances at the Yobangai Matsuri (Sapporo)

A regular event that draws large crowds every year as Sapporo Ekimae-dori in Odori becomes a pedestrian paradise. The city center comes alive with a variety of attractions, including a stage at the 4-chome scramble crossing, the procession of the "Yobangai Hanjo Mikoshi" (4-bangai Prosperity Shrine), amateur pro wrestling, "Niginigi Roten" stalls for a festival feel, and a food court with kitchen cars.

9 A Festival Meets Picnic Where You Can Also Enjoy Camping and Gourmet Food: SORAON 2026 (Bibai)

This year, the outdoor music event with the theme "FESNIC" (Festival x Picnic) will be held in Bibai. The expansive venue will feature live performances by a lineup of amazing artists, as well as a wide range of content including food booths with Bibai's famous yakitori and gourmet food from all over Japan, a market, workshops, street performances, and a play area for children. A campsite will also be available, allowing you to spend your time as you wish in the great outdoors of Hokkaido.

10 A Unique Summer Festival with Dancers Painting Faces on Their Bellies: The 58th Hokkai Heso Matsuri (Furano)

A unique summer festival held in Furano, located almost in the center of Hokkaido. The highlight of the festival is the "Heso Odori Taikai" (Belly Button Dance Competition), where dancers with faces painted on their stomachs, known as "Zubara," parade through the town. Spontaneous participation is also welcome, so you can not only watch but also join in the fun. The venue also features the "Heso Tokusan-ichi" market with local gourmet food, as well as music and dance stage performances.

11 A Festival in a Breathtaking Location Surrounded by Cliffs and a Lake: GANKE FES 2026 (Shintoku)

An outdoor festival held in a breathtaking location surrounded by cliffs called "Ganke" and Lake Kuttari. In the midst of magnificent nature, you can enjoy live music as well as outdoor activities like camping, sauna, canoeing, and rafting. There is also an area where you can savor Tokachi gourmet food, making this an event packed with the charms of Shintoku.

12 Fireworks and a Valiant Parade Highlight Muroran's Biggest Summer Festival: The 79th Muroran Port Festival (Muroran)

The Muroran Port Festival is beloved as Muroran's largest summer festival. On the first day, the Noryo Fireworks Display colors the summer night sky against the backdrop of the port town's night view. The second day features the "Shimin Odori" (Citizens' Dance) with about 1,000 participants, and the "Muroran Nerikomi," a valiant parade of mikoshi (portable shrines) and floats. The final day concludes with the "Yosakoi Soran in Muroran" finale. This is a major event representing summer in Muroran, with food stalls and stage events to enjoy throughout the three days.

13 Three Days of Dance, Floats, and Fireworks Coloring the Port Town: The 70th Akkeshi Port Festival, 24th Akkeshi Townspeople's Fireworks Festival, and 33rd Akkeshi Summer Festival (Akkeshi)

Three of Akkeshi's representative summer events are held simultaneously. Highlights abound, including the "Akkeshi Ondo Town Parade" where about 600 people dance through the streets to the Akkeshi Ondo song, the spectacular procession of valiant floats from the historic "Akkeshi Summer Festival," and the "Akkeshi Townspeople's Fireworks Festival" launched over the port. There are also festival stalls and food trucks, making it a traditional summer event in the port town that the whole family can enjoy.

14 Savor Hokkaido Wagyu Beef Under the Blue Sky: The 45th Bihoro Tourism Wagyu Festival (Bihoro)

A gourmet event that represents summer in Bihoro. At the annual outdoor barbecue party under the blue sky, you can savor Bihoro's prized Wagyu beef. The event is packed with stage performances such as taiko drumming, brass band music, and comedy shows, as well as plenty of activities for children, including character meet-and-greets, a mini-train, and inflatable play structures. It's a quintessential summer event in Bihoro, also featuring food booths with local gourmet delights.

15 A Summer Photo Spot Adorned with Japanese Umbrellas and Tanabata Decorations: Hoshi-furi Kairo (Otaru)

A magical, limited-time light-up spot appears on Otaru's Sakaimachi Street for the summer. Colorful Japanese umbrellas and lights adorn the space overhead, while twinkling lights sparkle underfoot, creating a fantastical atmosphere inspired by Tanabata in the retro townscape. During the day, you can stroll through the historic streets, and at night, it becomes a must-see photo spot, offering a unique summer highlight in Otaru.