Home > Blog > Festivals in Sapporo, Japan

Festivals in Sapporo, Japan

As part of our guide for visitors to Sapporo, we present this list of the biggest Sapporo festivals. The city shines year-round with traditional Japanese cultural festivals celebrating the seasons, music, and more.

Sapporo City Festival

— Sapporo Snow Festival (February)
— Sapporo Lilac Festival (May)
— Hokkaido Shrine Festival (June)
— Yosakoi Soran Festival (June)
— Sapporo Summer Festival (July)
— Hokkaido Balloon Festival (September)
— Sapporo Autumn Fest (September)

More details below. See our separate list of events in Sapporo.

Sapporo Snow Festival (さっぽろ雪まつり)

Opening Time: Varies by venue
Date: Early February (usually February 4–11)
Address: Odori Park Venue: Odori Nishi 1-11, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
Website: http://www.snowfes.com/

The Sapporo Snow Festival is one of Japan’s most famous winter events, transforming the city into a world of giant snow and ice creations. Odori Park showcases massive snow sculptures designed by artists, organizations, and even international teams. The Tsudome venue offers snow slides, tubing, and family-friendly winter activities, while Susukino lights up the night with beautifully illuminated ice carvings. The festival draws millions of visitors every year and offers a magical winter atmosphere unique to Hokkaido.

Sapporo Lilac Festival (さっぽろライラックまつり)

Opening Time: Around 10:00 – 17:00 (varies by venue)
Date: Around 3rd week of May
Address: Odori Park (Nishi 5–7 Chome), Chuo-ku, and Kawashimo Park, Shiroishi-ku, Sapporo
Website: https://www.sapporo.travel/en/event/event-list/lilac_festival/

Celebrating the arrival of spring, the Sapporo Lilac Festival is one of the first major outdoor events of the year. It honors the lilac, the official flower of Sapporo, symbolizing renewal and hope after a long winter. The festival is held across Odori Park and Kawashimo Park, where over 400 lilac trees bloom in soft purple hues.

Visitors can enjoy live music, wine tastings, cultural performances, and local food stalls. At Kawashimo Park, guests can also participate in tree-planting activities and guided flower tours. With its relaxed atmosphere and floral scent filling the air, the Lilac Festival offers a refreshing start to Sapporo’s festival season.

Hokkaido Shrine Festival (北海道神宮例祭 / Sapporo Matsuri)

Opening Time: Shrine grounds open from early morning; main parade typically starts around 9:00.
Date: Around 2nd week of June
Address: Hokkaido Shrine, 474 Miyagaoka, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Website: https://www.sapporo.travel/en/event/event-list/hokkaido_shrine_festival/

The Hokkaido Shrine Festival, also known as the Sapporo Matsuri, takes place at the Hokkaido Jingu shrine, in Maruyama. The Shrine festival is one of Sapporo’s most important traditional events, held every June since 1871. The festival honors the deities of Hokkaido Shrine and marks the arrival of summer. The highlight is a grand parade featuring people in historical costumes, portable shrines (mikoshi), traditional music, and dancers marching through the city.

Nakajima Park and the Hokkaido Shrine grounds come alive with food stalls, festival games, and entertainment for families. It’s a wonderful opportunity to experience Japan’s cultural heritage and spiritual traditions in the heart of Sapporo.

Yosakoi Soran Festival (YOSAKOIソーラン祭り)

Opening Time: 10:00 – 21:00
Date: Early June
Address: Main venue at Odori Park (1–11 Chome), plus multiple stages across Sapporo
Website: https://www.yosakoi-soran.jp/

The Yosakoi Soran Festival is one of Sapporo’s most dynamic and energetic summer celebrations, blending the traditional Yosakoi dance style of Kochi with Hokkaido’s iconic Soran Bushi folk music. Thousands of dancers from all over Japan—and even overseas—gather to perform powerful, colorful routines in elaborate costumes. The festival fills the city with music, cheering, food stalls, and performances from morning until night across various venues.

As a part of that festival, Yosakoi Soran Night in Sapporo is the final night of the event, which includes performances and awards.

Sapporo Summer Festival (さっぽろ夏まつり)

Opening Time: 12:00 – 21:00 (varies by area)
Date: Around 3rd week of July
Address: Odori Park (5–11 Chome), Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Website: https://www.sapporo.travel/summerfes/

The Sapporo Summer Festival is the largest and liveliest summer celebration in the city, transforming Odori Park and downtown Sapporo into a huge open-air party. For nearly a month, locals and tourists gather to enjoy the Odori Park Beer Garden, (the biggest in Japan) with different sections dedicated to major beer brands. Beyond the beer, the festival includes Bon Odori dance events, food stalls, cultural performances, and the colorful Susukino Festival parade.

It’s the perfect chance to experience Hokkaido’s warm summer nights, taste local delicacies, and join in the vibrant energy that defines Sapporo’s festive spirit.

Hokkaido Balloon Festival (北海道バルーンフェスティバル)

Opening Time: Early morning flights (around 5:30 AM), with additional afternoon and evening events
Date: Early August (usually August 1–3)
Address: Kamishihoro Aviation Park, Kamishihoro, Tokachi, Hokkaido
Website: https://hbf.jp/

The Hokkaido Balloon Festival is one of the most visually stunning summer events in Hokkaido, featuring dozens of colorful hot-air balloons rising over the open landscapes of Kamishihoro in Tokachi. Visitors can watch competitive flights performed by skilled pilots, enjoy tethered balloon rides that offer safe and scenic views, and experience the beautiful Balloon Glow event at night, where balloons light up the sky in a magical display. The festival also includes live performances, food stalls, and family-friendly activities, making it an ideal event for both locals and travelers seeking a unique Hokkaido summer experience.

Sapporo Autumn Fest (さっぽろオータムフェスト)

Opening Time: 10:00 – 20:30 (varies by booth and area)
Date: Around 2nd week of September
Address: Odori Park (4–8 Chome), Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Website: https://www.sapporo.travel/autumnfest/

The Sapporo Autumn Fest is one of Hokkaido’s most anticipated food festivals, celebrating the flavors of fall and the rich harvest season. Held across Odori Park, this month-long event transforms the city center into a giant outdoor dining area, featuring local delicacies, gourmet dishes, and drinks from all over Hokkaido. Visitors can sample everything from freshly grilled seafood, ramen, and wagyu beef, to farm-fresh vegetables and regional wines.

Each section of the park offers a different theme, such as craft beer corners, farm-to-table menus, and special chef collaborations. The festival not only highlights Sapporo’s culinary excellence but also offers a cozy atmosphere where the crisp autumn air, colorful leaves, and delicious aromas create an unforgettable dining experience.

Sapporo Marathon (札幌マラソン)

Opening Time: Races usually start around 9:00
Date: Early October
Address: Makomanai Sekisui Heim Stadium, Minami-ku, Sapporo
Website: https://satumara.sapporo-sport.jp/

Sapporo Marathon is a popular autumn running event known for its scenic routes and welcoming atmosphere. Runners can choose from multiple distances, including the half marathon and 10 km course. The route passes through some of Sapporo’s well-loved areas, letting participants enjoy crisp autumn weather and colorful fall scenery. The marathon includes categories for competitive runners as well as fun runs for beginners, children, and families, making it a community event enjoyed by all ages.