Sapporo Summer Festival 2026
Every summer, central Sapporo turns into one of the city’s biggest open-air gathering places. From late July through mid-August 2026, Odori Park fills with long rows of beer garden tables, while Hokkai Bon Odori dancing, the Susukino Festival, and the Tanuki Festival add their own events on separate dates. This guide covers the 2026 schedule, venues, access, and practical tips for visitors.
Quick answer
The Sapporo Summer Festival (さっぽろ夏まつり) is an umbrella event made up of four parts held in central Sapporo. In 2026 it runs across roughly a month, but each part has its own dates. The centerpiece is the Odori Beer Garden (July 23 – August 18, 2026), one of Japan’s largest open-air beer gardens. Festival areas are generally free to enter; you pay for food and drinks.
2026 dates at a glance
The four parts do not all run on the same days. Check the part you want to see before you plan.
- Odori Beer Garden — July 23 – August 18, 2026, 12:00–21:00, Odori Park (5-chome to 11-chome)
- Hokkai Bon Odori — August 13 – August 16, 2026, Odori Park
- Susukino Festival — August 6 – August 8, 2026, Susukino area
- Tanuki Festival — July 23 – August 18, 2026, Tanukikoji Shopping Street
Hours for Bon Odori, the Susukino Festival, and the Tanuki Festival vary by day and program. Confirm current times on the official site before visiting.
What is the Sapporo Summer Festival?
The Sapporo Summer Festival (officially the 73rd festival in 2026, 2026さっぽろ夏まつり) is not a single event but a season of overlapping summer programs in the heart of Sapporo. It brings together a large beer garden in Odori Park, traditional Bon Odori dancing, a lively street festival in the Susukino nightlife district, and a shopping-street festival along Tanukikoji. For most travelers, the beer garden is the main draw, but the other parts are worth timing your visit around if you can.
Odori Beer Garden
The Odori Beer Garden is the core of the festival and runs the longest — July 23 to August 18, 2026, from 12:00 to 21:00 each day. It stretches through Odori Park from 5-chome to 11-chome, making it one of Japan’s largest open-air beer gardens.
Different sections of the park are hosted by different brewers, so you can move between areas to try a range of beers:
- 5-chome to 8-chome — Japan’s four major breweries (Suntory, Asahi, Kirin, and Sapporo Beer), each with its own block
- 10-chome — a “World Beer” area featuring beers from various countries
- 11-chome — a German-style area serving German beer
Festival areas are generally free to enter; you pay for food and drinks. Seating is outdoor, so plan around the weather.
Hokkai Bon Odori
Hokkai Bon Odori is the traditional dance portion of the festival, held at Odori Park over four days, August 13 to August 16, 2026. It coincides with the Obon holiday period and offers a more traditional counterpoint to the beer garden. Visitors can watch the dancing, and participation details may vary by year and program.
Susukino Festival and Tanuki Festival
Two more parts round out the festival, each on its own schedule:
- Susukino Festival — held in the Susukino nightlife district over three days, August 6 to August 8, 2026. Expect a busy street atmosphere in one of Sapporo’s best-known entertainment areas.
- Tanuki Festival — held along the covered Tanukikoji Shopping Street across the full July 23 to August 18, 2026 window, so it overlaps most of the beer garden period.
Because these run on different dates from each other, decide which parts you most want to see and check their individual schedules when planning.
Access
The main venues cluster in central Sapporo and are easy to reach on foot or by subway:
- Odori Park — directly at Odori Station on the Namboku, Tozai, and Toho subway lines; the beer garden is a short walk from the station exits
- Susukino — one stop south of Odori, at Susukino Station (Namboku Line) or Hosui-Susukino Station (Toho Line)
- Tanukikoji Shopping Street — between Odori and Susukino, walkable from either
All three areas are within easy walking distance of each other in central Sapporo.
Tips for visitors
- Dates differ by part. The beer garden runs about a month, but Bon Odori, the Susukino Festival, and the Tanuki Festival each run only a few days. Match your visit to what you want to see.
- Weather matters. The beer garden is fully outdoor. Bring a layer for cooler evenings and check the forecast.
- Obon period. The Bon Odori dates (August 13–16) fall during the national Obon holiday. The Obon period can be busy, so it is worth checking transport and accommodation options before fixing your dates.
- Cash and cards. Payment methods vary by stall; carrying some cash is useful.
- Free entry. Festival areas are generally free to enter; you pay for food and drinks.
Where to stay
If you want to stay within walking distance of the main venues, Odori and Susukino are the most convenient areas to check.
Related festivals in Sapporo
If you’re building a Sapporo festival itinerary across the seasons, these guides pair naturally with the Summer Festival:
- Sapporo Matsuri — the city’s traditional shrine festival in June
- YOSAKOI Soran Festival — the high-energy dance festival in early summer
- Doshin-UHB Fireworks Festival — a summer fireworks event in Sapporo
- Makomanai Fireworks Festival — another of Sapporo’s summer fireworks events
- Sapporo Autumn Fest — the food-focused event held in Odori Park in autumn
- Sapporo Snow Festival — Sapporo’s famous winter festival, the seasonal counterpart to the Summer Festival
Official information note
Dates and details above reflect the announced 2026 schedule for the 73rd Sapporo Summer Festival. Programs and hours can change, and each part of the festival is run on its own schedule. Always confirm the latest information on the official Sapporo tourism site before you travel.