Hokkaido Festivals in July 2026

July is one of the best months to visit Hokkaido for festivals. The weather is mild, the days are long, and this page highlights six festival and fireworks options for July travel currently listed on Hokkaido Festivals — from stadium fireworks in Sapporo to a belly-button dance parade in Furano.

This is not a complete list of every event in Hokkaido. Dates are based on each festival’s published schedule as of writing — always confirm on the official site (linked from each detail page) before booking travel.

Hokkaido festivals in July 2026 at a glance

  • Makomanai Fireworks Festival
    Date: July 11 (Sat)
    Area: Central Hokkaido (Sapporo)
    Good for: A big ticketed fireworks show
  • Otaru Ushio Festival
    Date: July 24–26 (Fri–Sun)
    Area: Central Hokkaido (Otaru)
    Good for: Traditional port festival and fireworks
  • Hokkai Heso Matsuri
    Date: July 28–29 (Tue–Wed)
    Area: Central Hokkaido (Furano)
    Good for: A uniquely local dance festival
  • Asahikawa Summer Festival
    Date: July 30 – Aug 1 (Thu–Sat)
    Area: Northern Hokkaido (Asahikawa)
    Good for: A three-day city festival
  • Doshin-UHB Fireworks Festival
    Date: July 31 (Fri)
    Area: Central Hokkaido (Sapporo)
    Good for: Riverside fireworks in Sapporo
  • Lake Toya Long-Run Fireworks Festival
    Date: Apr 28 – Oct 31 (many nights)
    Area: Central Hokkaido (Lake Toya)
    Good for: Flexible dates and an onsen stay

Which July festival should you choose?

  • Staying in Sapporo: Makomanai (July 11) is a ticketed stadium show with about 22,000 fireworks — book seats in advance. Doshin-UHB (July 31) is free from the Toyohira River riverside, but expect heavy crowds.
  • Traditional festival atmosphere: Otaru Ushio Festival (July 24–26) has an illuminated float parade, group dancing anyone can join, and harbor fireworks, near Otaru Station.
  • Something uniquely Hokkaido: Hokkai Heso Matsuri in Furano (July 28–29) is the famous “belly button dance” festival, held since 1969.
  • Late-July travel: Asahikawa Summer Festival (July 30 – August 1) packs fireworks, dance parades, and a shrine procession into three days.
  • Dates don’t match? Lake Toya Long-Run Fireworks is scheduled on many nights during the season, viewable free from the lakeside onsen town.

July 2026 events in detail

Makomanai Fireworks Festival — Sapporo, July 11

One of Sapporo’s largest summer fireworks events, held at Makomanai Sekisui Heim Stadium with about 22,000 fireworks synchronized to music, lighting, and flame effects. All seats are paid and ticketed, so plan ahead. Take the Namboku subway line to Makomanai Station, then walk about 30 minutes or use a paid shuttle. Gates open 17:00; fireworks run 19:50–20:50 (planned).

View details: Makomanai Fireworks Festival

Otaru Ushio Festival — Otaru, July 24–26

Otaru’s signature summer festival celebrates the city’s port heritage over three days. Highlights include the Ushio Neputa illuminated float parade, a mass “united dance” that visitors can join, and a fireworks finale over the harbor. The venue is the Otaru Port area, about 10 minutes on foot from Otaru Station. Admission is free; events run roughly 13:00–21:00.

View details: Otaru Ushio Festival

Hokkai Heso Matsuri — Furano, July 28–29

Furano’s Belly Button Festival, held every July 28–29 since 1969, celebrates the city’s position at the geographic center of Hokkaido. Dance teams with comic faces painted on their bellies parade through central Furano; the main competition runs 19:00–20:00 both evenings, and visitors can register on the day to join. Admission is free, about 3 minutes on foot from JR Furano Station.

View details: Hokkai Heso Matsuri

Asahikawa Summer Festival — Asahikawa, July 30 – August 1

Asahikawa’s largest summer festival runs for three days along the Ishikari River and through the city center, opening with the Doshin Noryo Fireworks and continuing with citizen dance parades and the Daisetsu portable shrine procession. The riverside is about 15 minutes on foot from Asahikawa Station. Admission is free, and the schedule extends into August 1.

View details: Asahikawa Summer Festival

Doshin-UHB Fireworks Festival — Sapporo, July 31

A large fireworks event over the Toyohira River in central Sapporo, starting around 19:40. Riverside viewing is free; paid seating is not confirmed for 2026, so check the official site. Nearest subway stations are Nakajima-Koen and Horohira-bashi (10–15 minutes on foot). Expect heavy crowds and access controls; viewing from bridges and roadways is not permitted.

View details: Doshin-UHB Fireworks Festival

Lake Toya Long-Run Fireworks Festival — Lake Toya, April 28 – October 31

Rather than a one-day event, this is a long-run fireworks program over Lake Toya, scheduled on many nights during the season from late April to the end of October, weather permitting. Fireworks are launched from a boat on the lake from 20:45 to 21:05 and can be watched free from the lakeside promenade in the onsen town.

View details: Lake Toya Long-Run Fireworks Festival

Travel tips for July festivals in Hokkaido

Do you need tickets?

Only Makomanai Fireworks Festival requires paid tickets — all seats are ticketed and prices vary by seat type. Other events are generally free to enter or view from public areas, but seating rules and access controls may vary. Check each festival page and official information before your trip. Doshin-UHB may offer paid reserved seating in some years, but this is not confirmed for 2026.

Day trip or overnight?

Most of these festivals peak in the evening, so check your return transport before deciding. Otaru is close to Sapporo and often visited as an evening trip, but fireworks end around 21:00 — confirm the last train back. Furano and Asahikawa are farther away, and their main events happen at night, so staying overnight nearby is the lower-stress option. Lake Toya is an onsen resort town, and the evening fireworks fit naturally with an overnight stay.

What should you expect from July weather?

July is Hokkaido’s warm season and outdoor evening events are generally comfortable, but conditions vary, and outdoor fireworks can be affected by weather. Check each festival’s official site for postponement or cancellation policies.

Where should you stay?

Each festival’s detail page includes venue, access, and location information to help you choose a base. As a general rule: stay in Sapporo for the two Sapporo fireworks events; stay in or near Otaru, Furano, or Asahikawa for their festivals if you want to enjoy the evening program without watching the clock; and stay in Toyako Onsen for the Lake Toya fireworks.

Quick summary

  • Six July events are currently listed on this site. Admission rules vary by event — some local festivals are free to enter, while ticketed fireworks events may require advance purchase.
  • Sapporo hosts two fireworks events: Makomanai (July 11, ticketed) and Doshin-UHB (July 31, free riverside viewing).
  • Otaru (July 24–26), Furano (July 28–29), and Asahikawa (July 30 – Aug 1) cluster in late July — one trip could cover all three.
  • Lake Toya fireworks are scheduled on many nights through October 31, weather permitting.
  • Evening programs dominate, so plan your transport or stay overnight near the venue.

Related pages

This page covers July events currently listed on Hokkaido Festivals and is not a complete list of every event in Hokkaido. Schedules, hours, and admission details are subject to change — always confirm current information on each festival’s official website, linked from its detail page.