Kumagaya Fireworks Festival

Festival highlights

Highlights include approximately 10,000 fireworks and a star mine competition in which fireworks companies compete to showcase their skills.

For “message fireworks,” donated by individuals such as local residents who send in a message, the message is announced at the venue as the fireworks are launched.

Wide star mines and large-shell fireworks sponsored by multiple contributors are also signature features of the event.

Kumagaya’s summer fireworks illuminate the night sky with the story of recovery

What to expect

Spectators enjoy fireworks at the Arakawa riverside venue from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The riverbed has open areas where visitors can watch for free, as well as paid seating options: chair seats, blue-sheet seats, table seats, and reserved group spaces.

Food stalls, portable toilets, and first-aid stations are set up around the venue, and cleanup volunteer activities take place after the event.

Source: 熊谷花火大会：熊谷市ホームページ / 第74回熊谷花火大会 | 熊谷観光局

How to take part

General visitors can watch the fireworks at the viewing venue along the Arakawa River.

There is an area in the riverside plaza where you can reserve a spot. To protect the grass, spots in the rugby field area can be reserved from 4 p.m. on the day of the event.

You can take part as a fireworks sponsor by arranging a personal message firework, but no information is provided on whether general visitors can participate in launching fireworks.

No information is provided about advance applications for viewing from the free viewing area.

To use paid seating, choose from chair seats, reserved blue-sheet seats, table seats, and box seats.

In 2026, chair seats were ¥7,000, reserved blue-sheet seats ¥20,000, table seats ¥32,000, and box seats ¥40,000.

Source: 熊谷花火大会 会場マナー【ご協力ください】 | 熊谷観光局

Location and access

Venue and address

Along the Arakawa River (downstream of Arakawa Ohashi Bridge).

Train and bus

A 5-minute walk from the south exit of Kumagaya Station on the JR Takasaki Line and Chichibu Railway.

Visitors are advised to use public transportation.

There are no direct buses.

By car

Traffic restrictions will be in place around the venue.

Roads will be very congested after 5 p.m., so allow plenty of time to get there.

Parking

The official paid parking lots are Official Paid Parking Lot No. 1 (north bank of the Arakawa River, about a 20-minute walk from the venue) and Official Paid Parking Lot No. 2 (south bank of the Arakawa River, about a 35-minute walk from the venue). Advance reservations are required.

Temporary parking lots are also available at various locations in the city.

Source: 第74回熊谷花火大会 公式有料駐車場のご予約について | 熊谷観光局

Address Arakawa Riverside (downstream from Arakawa Ohashi Bridge)

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Dates and season

2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)

In 2026, the event was held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on August 8 (Saturday).

In case of severe weather, the event was scheduled to be postponed to August 9 (Sunday); if it could not be held on the 9th, it would be canceled.

It is usually held on the second Saturday of August.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

The area around the venue gets crowded from around 4 p.m., and the station and surrounding roads remain congested after the fireworks end.

Watching from walkways, roadside parking, flying drones, and using open flames inside the venue are prohibited.

Along the riverbank, avoid reserving spots with stones or stakes, do not block walkways, take precautions against heatstroke, and remember to take your rubbish home.

Nearby attractions

Temples and shrinesKumagaya City

歓喜院

埼玉県熊谷市にある寺院

Visit the official page ↗ⓘ Photo and data sources

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写真：tak1701d / CC BY 3.0

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Temples and shrinesKumagaya City

高城神社

埼玉県熊谷市にある神社

Visit the official page ↗ⓘ Photo and data sources

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写真：hisakuma / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Facility data source

Attractions in the same municipality. Check each attraction’s official website for travel distances from the venue and current opening information.

Origins and History of Kumagaya Fireworks Festival

The Kumagaya Fireworks Festival began in 1948 as the “Great Kumagaya Reconstruction Fireworks Festival” to commemorate the city’s recovery from the damage caused by the Kumagaya air raid.

Commemorative events were held for the 60th edition in 2009 and the 70th in 2019.

The event was canceled in 2020. In 2021 and 2022, infection-control measures meant it was held at multiple dispersed venues or for a shorter period. From 2023, it returned to a format closer to the traditional one.

Official information

Information on the event date, venue, viewing seats, parking, traffic restrictions, and venue etiquette is available on the Kumagaya City website and the Kumagaya City Tourism Association’s special page for the 74th event.

The Kumagaya City Tourism Association can be reached at 048-594-6677.

If you plan to use an official paid parking lot, check the information about advance reservations as well.

Kumagaya Fireworks Festival at a Glance

The Kumagaya Fireworks Festival is a summer fireworks event along the Arakawa River with a history rooted in commemorating recovery.

Enjoy a variety of features, including approximately 10,000 fireworks, message fireworks, and a star mine competition.

In 2026, it was held on August 8, and visitors were asked to be mindful of crowds, traffic restrictions, and the rules for reserving viewing spots.