National New Fireworks Competition

Festival highlights

The highlight is the competition among up-and-coming fireworks artists selected from across Japan, each presenting new fireworks created from their own ideas.

Each piece is given a theme or image and lights up the night sky over Lake Suwa to music and narration.

The appeal lies not only in the beauty of the fireworks themselves, but also in the competitive element, which lets you compare different approaches and techniques.

Source: よくある質問（花火大会について）

New skills and ideas from up-and-coming fireworks artists compete in the night sky over Lake Suwa

What to expect

At the event, fireworks artists launch new fireworks, which are judged to determine the winner.

In the former format, each artist chose a theme and developed their piece to music.

For 2026, the announced format is to hold qualifying rounds in September, followed by the championship final on October 31.

How to take part

This competition brings together ambitious young fireworks artists from across Japan to compete with new fireworks displays, and is open to the general public to watch.

In 2026, there will be 4 preliminary rounds and a championship final, with fireworks to enjoy from the lakeside on each day.

No general applications or instructions for applying to compete as a fireworks artist have been announced.

Admission is free in all areas.

Source: 大会概要 | 信州 諏訪湖の花火－諏訪湖祭湖上花火大会 · National New Fireworks Competition · サマーナイト花火 · 上諏訪温泉宿泊感謝イベント－ / 全国新作花火チャレンジカップ2026の開催情報【2026年】 - ウェザーニュース

Location and access

Venue and address

Over Lake Suwa, in front of Suwa Lakeside Park (〒392-0027 Kohan-dori, Suwa, Nagano)

Train and bus

About an 8-minute walk from Kami-Suwa Station on the JR Chuo Line.

By car

About 7 km from the Suwa IC and about 5 km from the Suwako Smart IC on the Chuo Expressway.

Parking

Parking at the municipal lot in front of the station is free for 3 hours, and the temporary free parking lot at Suwa Lake Event Plaza has space for 150 cars.

The privately operated paid parking reservation service akippa is also listed.

Please refrain from parking at nearby commercial facilities or stores.

Source: 全国新作花火チャレンジカップ | 諏訪市観光ガイド｜諏訪観光協会 公式サイト

Address 〒392-0027 Kohan-dori, Suwa, Nagano

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Dates and season

Period 1

2026/09/05

Period 2

2026/09/12

Period 3

2026/09/19

Period 4

2026/09/26

Period 5

2026/10/31

In 2026, the preliminary rounds will be held at 20:00 on September 5 (Saturday), 20:00 on September 12 (Saturday), 19:00 on September 19 (Saturday), and 19:00 on September 26 (Saturday). The championship final will be held from 17:30 on October 31 (Saturday).

The start times differ between the preliminary rounds and the final, so please make sure you visit on the correct day.

The event will proceed in rainy weather, but will be postponed in the event of a typhoon or disaster.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

In 2026, start times vary by day: September 5 and the 12th start at 8 p.m.; September 19 and the 26th start at 7 p.m. The championship round starts at 5:30 p.m.

The event goes ahead in rainy weather, but is postponed in the event of a typhoon or disaster.

Parking is limited, so check information about options such as the municipal parking lot in front of the station and temporary free parking lots. Please avoid parking at nearby commercial facilities or stores.

Nearby attractions

Museums and art museumsSuwa City

サンリツ服部美術館

長野県諏訪市にある美術館

Visit the official page ↗ⓘ Photo and data sources

Photo and data sources×

写真：663highland / CC BY 2.5

Photo source ·

Facility data source

Temples and shrines茅野市 · Suwa City · 下諏訪町

諏訪大社

長野県諏訪地域にある4つの神社の総称

Visit the official page ↗ⓘ Photo and data sources

Photo and data sources×

写真：663highland / CC BY 2.5

Photo source ·

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 National New Fireworks Competition

It is said to have begun in 1983, with a fireworks display lasting about 15 minutes at the Mori no Nigiwai “Suwa Myojin Furusato Festival.”

It became a competitive fireworks event in 1984 and separated from the festival in 1993.

In 1994, the format that continues today was established, combining young fireworks artists with titles, image descriptions, and image songs. The event took its current name in 2000.

Official information

The official Suwa Tourism Association website has a dedicated section for the National New Fireworks Challenge Cup.

The site also provides 2026 parking information and links to dedicated LINE and X accounts.

You can use this as a source for updates to the event name and schedule.

Source: 全国新作花火チャレンジカップ | 諏訪市観光ガイド｜諏訪観光協会 公式サイト

National New Fireworks Competition at a Glance

The National New Fireworks Competition is a fireworks event held at Lake Suwa, where up-and-coming fireworks artists compete with their original ideas and techniques.

Unlike a typical fireworks event, this one lets you compare pieces that combine fireworks with music and narration.

For 2026, the National New Fireworks Challenge Cup is scheduled to hold qualifying rounds in September and the championship final on October 31.