The Summer and Autumn Festivals to Know in Hokkaido

The fields have turned green, the lavender is on its way, and Hokkaido is settling into summer. Between June and October, a steady run of festivals — matsuri, as they’re known here — moves through Niseko, Rusutsu, and Furano. Some are village affairs. Others pull crowds from across Japan and beyond.

If you’ve only seen Hokkaido in winter, the green season is a different proposition. Cooler than the rest of the country, far less crowded, and full of local events that rarely make it into the standard itineraries. Below are the ones we would build a trip around.

Niseko Jazz Festival

When: 17-20 July 2026

Where: Setsu Niseko Courtyard (Night Sessions, 17–19 July 2026) and NEST813 at the summit of the Ace Gondola, Grand Hirafu (Day Sessions, 18–20 July 2026) 

Jazz at the summit, Mount Yotei as the backdrop; look forward to this and more at Niseko Jazz Festival, now into its third year. This year, the event spills out of Setsu Niseko’s courtyard and up the mountain to NEST813, the new restaurant at the top of the Grand Hirafu Ace Gondola. Programmed with Blue Note Tokyo, the event features 18 acts, 50 musicians across four days. The Day Sessions at NEST813 is free with a gondola ticket — which is also the only way up. 

Niko Niko Summer Festival

When: 18–19 July 2026 

Where: Niseko-Yō, Niseko Village

Niko niko means “smile” in Japanese, which sets the tone. Two days of food trucks, live music, art events, and family activities, with a fireworks display closing out each evening. This is the one families end up planning their summer trip around.

Niseko Town Tanabata Fireworks

When: 1 August 2026 (to be confirmed) 

Where: Niseko Cho Undō Park, Niseko

One of the better fireworks shows in the area, with a section set aside for children to light sparklers and play festival games. Food stalls run in the late afternoon.

Kutchan Jaga Matsuri (Potato Festival)

Photo Credit: Kutchan Town

When: 1–2 August 2026 (first weekend of August, to be confirmed) 

Where: Kutchan Ekimae Avenue, in front of JR Kutchan Station

Kutchan grows some of Hokkaido’s best potatoes, and the town’s biggest summer festival is built around exactly that. Expect colourful Nebuta lanterns, taiko drumming, traditional dances, and the Jagata-kun mascot — a chubby skiing potato that’s been the town symbol since 1991. Carnival games hand out potatoes as prizes. The night ends with fireworks.

Hirafu Festival

When: 21–22 August 2026 

Where: Sun Sportsland, Hirafu

Two days of food made from Hokkaido produce, performances by local school groups and bands, and Mochi Maki — the tradition of throwing rice cakes into the crowd, some with hidden prizes. The second evening closes with fireworks set to taiko drumming.

Stay nearby: For walking distance to the Hirafu Festival (and a view of the fireworks from the window), The Vale Niseko and Intuition are within easy reach.

Summer Vacation Special Fireworks Festival

When: 25 July, 1 August, 8–15 August (every Saturday in that window), and 22 August 2026. Show runs 8:00–8:10 pm. 

Where: Rusutsu Resort

Roughly 1,200 fireworks set to music, on selected Saturdays through summer. Viewing is free, but you need to be inside the resort — either as a hotel guest or with a Resort Ticket, Amusement Park Ticket, Yotei Gondola Round-Trip Ticket, or Outdoor Super Jumbo Pool Ticket.

The resort sits next to four 18-hole golf courses, which makes this a good pairing with our Stay and Play package — rounds on Rusutsu’s two standout courses while staying at The Vale Rusutsu, our ski-in ski-out condo hotel on the mountain.

Hokkai Heso Matsuri (Furano Belly Button Festival)

Photo Credit: hesomatsuri.com

When: 28–29 July 2026. The Heso Odori dance competition runs 7:00–8:00 pm both nights. 

Where: Shin-Aioi Shopping Street, a few minutes' walk from JR Furano Station

Furano sits at the geographic centre of Hokkaido, which is why it’s called the island’s belly button. The festival, first held in 1969, makes 2026 its 57th edition. Dancers paint faces on their bellies, cover their heads with oversized hats, and parade through the streets — a tradition that now pulls in around 4,000 participants over the two days. Alongside the dance, you’ll find taiko drumming, school performances, calligraphy demonstrations, and an Ainu cultural showcase.

Furano Wine Festival

When: 7 September 2026, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm 

Where: TBC — Furano Tourism will confirm closer to the date

Furano has been producing wine and grape juice for decades, and this is the chance to taste both alongside food stalls cooking with local ingredients. A reason to extend a summer trip into early autumn, when the leaves are starting to turn.

Stay nearby: Fenix Furano and Fenix West are well-equipped condo hotels and easy bases for festival weekends. For larger groups, Shiyuki has more space and gives you the run of the place.

Plan your festival trip

Hokkaido’s summer is short, and the locals have a saying — once Obon passes, autumn arrives quickly. Lock in dates and accommodation early, especially for the busier festival weekends in late July and early August.

If you would like a hand putting together a festival-led trip, our team can match the matsuri calendar to the right property and area. Browse our summer collection or get in touch, and we’ll take it from there.