Niigata Prefecture · Niigata City (From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 40 min–2 h 10 min · bullet train)

A procession and river crossing that celebrate the port town’s history, and grand summer fireworks

Niigata Festival

Drums and music Cultural properties Mikoshi and dashi Fireworks Processions and parades Dance and Bon Odori

The 2026 edition of Niigata Festival has ended.

Festival information

EVENT INFORMATION

Dates: 2026/08/07 〜 2026/08/09Ended
Season / frequency: Every year, on a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in early August / Once a year
Location: Around Furumachi and Bandai, Bandai Bridge, around Hakusan Shrine, the Shinano River Yasuragi Embankment, and more
Area: Niigata Prefecture・Niigata City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 40 min–2 h 10 min · bullet train)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
Features: For couples Open to general participation Held at night Mountains and satoyama Seaside In town
Highlights and activities: Fire Dance
Wishes behind the festival: Transport and maritime safety
Participation / viewing: Open to public participation / spectators welcome
Required number of participants: The Grand Folk Song Parade is limited to 250 participants per group
Last updated: 2026/10/19

Niigata Festival is a summer festival in Niigata City that traces its roots to 4 festivals, including the Sumiyoshi Festival. The Sumiyoshi Procession through the city, the river procession across the Shinano River, the citizens’ , the Grand Folk Song Parade, and the fireworks display offer a sense of the port town’s history and local vibrancy.

Niigata Festivalの記録写真：File:Niigata-Matsuri 20130809-02.JPG — Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: DAI-nk File:Niigata-Matsuri 20130809-02.JPG / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.

Niigata Festivalの記録写真：File:Niigata-Matsuri 20130809-04.JPG — Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: DAI-nk File:Niigata-Matsuri 20130809-04.JPG / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.

About Niigata Festival

Niigata Festival is one of Niigata City’s signature summer festivals, formed by combining 4 festivals: the Sumiyoshi Festival, the Commerce and Industry Festival, the River Opening Festival, and the Port Opening Anniversary Festival.

Through the mikoshi and procession of Sumiyoshi Okami, as well as the river procession, hopes for the development of the port town of Niigata and safety at sea are passed down.

A wide variety of events take place across the city and around the Shinano River, from traditional ceremonies to dances involving local residents and fireworks.

Source: 新潟まつりとは | 新潟まつり公式ホームページ

Festival highlights

Highlights include the Sumiyoshi Procession in traditional costumes, the river procession in which the mikoshi crosses the Shinano River alongside boats, the citizens’ mikoshi, and the grand fireworks display on the final day.

The Sumiyoshi Procession is about 1 kilometer long, running from Hakusan Shrine through Furumachi and across Bandai Bridge, and evokes the history of the port town.

At the fireworks display, starmines and other fireworks are launched from the Shinano River Yasuragi Embankment, bringing the festival to a close.

Source: Sumiyoshi Matsuri · 新潟まつり｜新潟総鎮守白山神社 / 新潟の夏を満喫しよう！新潟市

A procession and river crossing that celebrate the port town’s history, and grand summer fireworks

What to expect

The festival begins on the first day with the Grand Folk Song Parade. On the second day, events include the Sumiyoshi Procession, the river procession, the citizens’ mikoshi, and handmade children’s mikoshi.

During the Grand Folk Song Parade, lines of dancers move through the city, mainly dancing to Niigata Jinku. Sado Okesa is also danced on Bandai Bridge.

The third day concludes with the Sumiyoshi Procession and grand fireworks display. During the festival, visitors can also enjoy open-air stalls and in the grounds of Hakusan Shrine.

Source: 新潟まつり公式ホームページ / 2026年（令和8年）新潟まつり大民謡流しの参加団体を募集します新潟市中央区

How to take part

The event is open for the general public to watch and enjoy.

How to participate varies by event. For the Grand Folk Song Parade, applications are invited from groups such as neighborhood associations, children’s clubs, PTAs, hobby clubs, other groups, shopping districts, and businesses.

Residents and groups who want to join the dance can apply after checking the eligibility requirements, deadline, and other details.

Groups taking part in the 2026 Grand Folk Song Parade were required to fill out an application form and submit it by fax or email.

Applications from participating groups must arrive by June 19, and each group may have up to 250 participants.

Groups wishing to arrange individual dance lessons were also informed that instructors could be arranged separately.

Location and access

Venue and address

Events take place at different locations, including the Furumachi and Bandai areas, Bandai Bridge, the area around Hakusan , and the Shinano River Yasuragi Embankment.

The fireworks display is held at the Yasuragi Embankment.

Train and bus

As crowds are expected for the fireworks display on August 9, 2026, visitors are advised to use Niigata Station or Hakusan Station.

Be aware that Kamidokoro Station may be crowded.

By car

Temporary traffic restrictions are imposed during the festival for events such as the Grand Folk Song Parade, processions, the waterborne mikoshi procession, and the fireworks display.

Parking

Hakusan Jinja’s shrine parking lot is unavailable during the Niigata Festival.

Visitors are advised to use nearby parking lots or public transportation.

Event venue 新潟県新潟市古町

This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.

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Dates and season

2026 event information (the dates listed have passed)

In 2026, the festival was held from August 7 (Fri) through the 9th (Sun).

The first day featured the Grand Folk Song Parade; the second day included the Sumiyoshi Procession, the Bandai Bridge Parade, the waterborne mikoshi procession, handmade children’s mikoshi, the Night Festival Lantern Procession, and the Citizens’ Mikoshi; and the final day featured the Sumiyoshi Procession and fireworks display.

According to the 2026 event information, the fireworks were scheduled to begin at 7:20 p.m. on August 9 (Sun).

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 Niigata Prefecture / Niigata City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)

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Tips for your visit

In 2026, temporary traffic restrictions were put in place for each event. In particular, notices said that the restricted area for the Sumiyoshi Procession and parade crossing Bandai Bridge would differ from previous years.

新潟市にある公園

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Photo and data sources

写真：User: (WT-shared) Shoestring at wts wikivoyage / CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo source ·

Facility data source

Origins and History of Niigata Festival

The Sumiyoshi Festival, the centerpiece of Niigata Festival, is said to have begun in 1726 as a festival featuring a procession, following the enshrinement of a sacred object received from Sumiyoshi Shrine in Osaka during the Edo period.

Later, from the Meiji era onward, the River Opening Festival, Commerce and Industry Festival, and Port Opening Anniversary Festival were added. In 1955, the 4 festivals were combined to create today’s Niigata Festival.

The festival’s timing and format have changed with the times, while continuing to convey the history and hopes of the port town of Niigata.

Official information

Official information is available on the Niigata Festival Executive Committee’s official website.

Visitors can check event schedules, traffic restrictions and access restrictions, announcements, and more.

The listed contacts are the Niigata Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Tourism Policy Division of the Niigata City Department of Tourism and International Exchange.