Kirakira Festival

This winter event lights up central Sasebo, with illuminations centered on Shimanose Park. The lighting ceremony, music, and seasonal activities unfold in a city aglow with lights.

About Kirakira Festival

Kirakira Festival is an illumination event that lights up central Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture.

With Shimanose Park as the main venue, the lights extend to shopping streets, nearby parks, and surrounding streets.

It is held every year as an event that brightens Sasebo at year’s end.

It began with the aim of bringing activity to the city center and has been run with the cooperation of shopping streets and others.

Source: きらきらフェスティバル - Wikipedia

Festival highlights

The illuminations enveloping Shimanose Park and the shopping streets are a major highlight.

At the opening-day lighting ceremony, the Sasebo City Fire Department Band parades through the streets while performing, and the lights are switched on to a fanfare.

Events have also been held where participants gather dressed as Santa Claus, as well as public wedding ceremonies beneath the illuminations.

Activities that make use of the lights and the season, such as an artificial snow play area and a Christmas market, are also featured.

A winter tradition in central Sasebo, brightening the city with lights and music

What to expect

The first day of the event begins with a lighting ceremony, and the city lights are switched on as a band parades through the streets.

On weekends during the event, stage performances make use of the illuminations.

Depending on the program, visitors can enjoy events where people gather dressed as Santa Claus, activities to make a Christmas tree with candles, an artificial snow play area, and a Christmas market.

Events combining lights with music, choir performances, and dancing have also been held.

How to take part

Visitors can view the venue’s illuminations, and events involving local residents and participants are also held during the festival.

Activities for participants include gatherings in Santa Claus costumes, candle-related events, and making snowmen.

In the past, a citizens’ supporters group was recruited with contributions of 1,000 yen per share, and participants’ names were displayed at illumination sites.

Location and access

Venue and address

The main venue is Shimanose Park, with events also held at nearby venues and around the city center.

Shimanose Park is located at 1000-14 Shimanose-cho, Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture.

Train and bus

From JR Sasebo Station, it is about a 15-minute walk or about 5 minutes by bus to the Shimanose Park stop, followed by a short walk.

For the Matsuura Railway, directions say to get off at Sasebo-Chuo Station.

By car

About 5 minutes from the Sasebo-Minato or Sasebo-Chuo interchange on the West Kyushu Expressway.

Parking

Paid parking is available nearby.

Source: 第30回きらきらフェスティバル in SASEBO / 長崎県 -【JAPAN 47 GO】

Address 1000-14 Shimanose-cho, Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture

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Dates and season

Season: Every year from the third Thursday of November through the end of December
Frequency: Every year

Accommodation and hotels PR

Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Nagasaki Prefecture / Sasebo City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)

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Tips for your visit

For the editions covered by the available information, the illuminations were on from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Some information gives a different start time for the first day, so it’s a good idea to check the hours for that day if you’re visiting then.

The venue spreads out from Shimanose Park into the shopping arcades and surrounding city streets.

The venue and times may vary by event, such as weekend stage performances.

長崎県佐世保市にある史料館

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Photo and data sources

写真：Naokijp / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Origins and History of Kirakira Festival

Kirakira Festival began in 1996, led mainly by young business owners from Yonkacho Shopping Street.

In the face of the opening of the largest suburban shopping center in the city the following year, its aim was to bring activity to the city center.

The Yonkacho Shopping Street, Sankacho Shopping Street, and Sasebo Tamaya joined forces, establishing Shimanose Park as a venue.

Later, the festival adopted illuminations inspired by Kobe Luminarie, and its name was chosen to reflect the idea of making the town sparkle.

Official information

The Kirakira Festival Executive Committee is listed as the contact for inquiries about the event.

The phone number is 0956-24-4411.

The event information also lists the Kirakira Festival Executive Committee as the organizer.