Nagoya: 10 Famous Festivals and Firework Events in 2024

Major Festivals and Fireworks Displays in Nagoya 2024

While some people think that festivals are primarily held in summer, there are many famous festivals in Nagoya year-round.

Along with the fireworks and the cherry blossom, there are other thrilling events for people of all ages, such as ramen restaurants and mouth-watering dishes from across Japan gathering in the city.

This article is about how to enjoy those festivals in 2024. It has information about the food stalls, parking lots, and access, so use it as a guide for your trip.

Nagoya Festivals and Events 2024

1. Nagoya Festival (October)
2. Nagoya Castle Summer Festival (August)
3. Osu Natsumatsuri (August)
4. Nippon Domannaka Festival (August, November)
5. Endoji Tanabata Festival (July)
6. Nagoya Port Festival (July)
7. Tenno Festival (June)
8. Nagoya Castle Spring Festival (March)
9. All Japan Delicious Food Festival (April)
10. Nagoya Ramen Festival (January)

1. Nagoya Festival (October)

Photo by Pixta.

Nagoya Festival, which started in 1955, is the largest autumn event in Nagoya. The average number of spectators is one million.

The highlight is the Kyodo Eiketsu Gyoretsu, a huge procession in which samurai lords who have ties to Nagoya (Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu) march with their vassals and warriors.

The battle scene, performed by the members of the Ground Self-Defense Force, clad in historical attire, is awe-inspiring.

Photo by Pixta.

The main venue, Hisaya Odori Park, will have food stalls. The city will be in celebration mode, as some of the sightseeing spots will be admission-free during this period.

Visitors can watch the procession and enter the venues for free. There are no parking lots, so be sure to use public transport.

Information
Date: October 19th and 20th, 2024.
Time: Varies according to the venues.
Venues: Hisaya Odori Park, Oasis 21, Nagoya Castle, etc.
Access: The events will be held near Subway Hisaya Odori/Sakae stations, and Sakaemachi Station (Meitetsu Seto Line).
Official Site: Nagoya Festival

2. Nagoya Castle Summer Festival (August)

Photo by Pixta.

As the name suggests, Nagoya Castle Summer Festival is an event to celebrate the summer at the castle.

The highlight is the bon dance, held daily from 18:00. An elevated stage will be set up, with the castle keep as the backdrop.

Photo by Pixta.

At Shachihoko Shokudo, there will be stalls selling light meals and confections, as well as attractions such as goldfish scooping.

Admission is 500 yen for adults, and junior high students and under are not admitted. Visitors in Japanese attire, such as yukata, will be admitted at a discount fee (400 yen).

There is a huge crowd yearly, so organizers advise visitors to use public transport.

Information
Date: From August 10th to 18th, 2024.
Time: 9:00 to 20:30 (The gate closes at 21:00.)
Venue: Nagoya Castle
Access: 5-minute walk from Subway Nagoyajo Station.
Official Site: Nagoya Castle Summer Festival

3. Osu Natsumatsuri (August)

This event is held in the Osu District, in the Naka Ward.

In the daytime, there will be a samba parade and an Awa-odori procession. At night, a bon dance festival will be held on the grounds of Osu Kannon.

The event will also hold a World Cosplay Summit parade and a food challenge. Beer and shaved ice will be sold at the stalls in Osu Kannon.

The event ends with ninety handheld fireworks. Accompanied by Japanese drums, the sparks soaring to the sky are sure to impress the spectators.

Information
Date: August 3rd and 4th, 2024.
Time: Varies according to the events.
Venues: Osu Shotengai and Osu Kannon.
Access: To Osu Shotengai, it is a 3-minute walk from Subway Osu Kannon Station and a 2-minute walk from Subway Maize Station.
Official Site: Osu Natsumatsuri

4. Nippon Domannaka Festival (August, November)

Also known as Domatsuri, Nippon Domannaka Festival, held in August and November, is one of the largest dance events in Japan.

Around 200 domestic and international teams will be on stage, demonstrating their local steps.
Some teams will use traditional music, while others will dress in modified historical attire.

The August event in 2024 was held at several venues, including Hisaya Odori Park in Sakae District. There were also food stalls handling local cuisine and confections.

Please note that the traffic near the venues will be regulated during the event.

In November, Tele-Domatsuri, an event mixing video work and dance, will be held at Moricoro Park in Nagakute City.

Information
Date: August 3rd, 2024/From November 21st to 24th, 2024.
Time: 19:20 to 20:10.
Venues: Hisaya Odori Park, Oasis 21, Nagoya Castle, etc.
Access: It is a short walk from Subway Yaba-cho Station to Edion Hisaya Hiroba, the main stage at Hisaya Odori Park.
Official Site: Nippon Domannaka Festival

5. Endoji Tanabata Festival (July)

Photo by Pixta.

Endoji Tanabata Festival, starting on the last Wednesday in July, is held for five days.

Photo by Pixta.

During the event, the venues, Endoji Shotengai (shopping street) and Endoji Honcho Shotengai are decorated with tanabata items and paper-mâché dolls.

Along with a large number of stalls, street performers and dancers will also participate in the event. Bon dance will be held on the grounds of Nagono Campus near the shotengai.

Information
Date: From July 31st to August 4th, 2024.
Time: Around 12:00 to 21:00.
Venues: Endoji Shotengai and Endoji Honcho Shotengai.
Access: 8-minute walk from Subway Kokusai Center and Marunouchi stations.
Official Site: Endoji Tanabata Festival

6. Nagoya Port Festival (July)

Nagoya Port Festival, which draws about 340,000 spectators, is a major summer event.

The highlight is the 3,000 shots of fireworks.

It can be viewed from the Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium and Shopping Mall Jetty. There is no admission fee.

There will be live performances of marching bands and Japanese drums during the daytime.

Stalls will line up on the street, about 700 meters in length, from Subway Tsukijiguchi Station to Nagoyako Station.

Since traffic near the venues will be regulated, there are no parking lots for cars or bicycles.

Information
Date: July 15th, 2024.
Time: 14:00 to 20:10
Venue: Nagoya Port Garden Pier
Access: 6-minute walk from Subway Nagoyako Station.
Official Site: Nagoya Port Festival

7. Tenno-sai (June)

Photo by Pixta.

Tenno-sai, also known as Higashi-ku Dashi Matsuri, or Tsutsui-cho/Deki-machi Tenno-sai, is a traditional event held at Tsutsui-cho and Deki-machi, in the Higashi Ward.

It started in the Edo Period to ward off epidemics before the summer season. The event is held annually in June, on the first weekend of the month.

Photo by Pixta.

Five dashi (floats), covered in gorgeous embroidery, with mechanical dolls riding on top, parade the area. The dolls will be dancing to the live music.

The dashi will be decorated with lanterns at night, creating a fantastic sight.

In 2024, there were many stalls at Kenchuji Park.

Information
Date: June 1st and 2nd, 2024.
Time: 19:20 to 20:10
Venues: Tsutsui Shotengai and Meirin School District.
Access: To Tsutsui Shotengai, it is a 5-minute walk from Subway Kurumamichi Station. To Meirin School District, it is an 18-minute walk from Kurumamichi Station.
Official Site: Tenno-sai

8. Nagoya Castle Spring Festival (March)

Nagoya Castle Spring Festival is held in the cherry blossom season.

Ten types of flowers, including Somei-yoshino and weeping cherry, totaling about 900 trees, can be seen at the castle.

During the event, performances by rakugo storytellers, rappers, and musicians will be held. Stalls selling light meals and confections will also be present. A traditional tea ceremony will also be held.

The admission fee is 500 yen for adults. Junior high students and under can enjoy the festival for free. Visitors can use the parking lot at the castle.

Information
Date: March 20th to May 6th, 2024.
Time: Varies according to events.
Venue: Nagoya Castle
Access: 5-minute walk from Subway Nagoyajo Station.
Official Site: Nagoya Castle Spring Festival

9. All Japan Delicious Food Festival (April)

Picture courtesy of ＠press.

All Japan Delicious Food Festival is one of the largest in the Tokai Region. It is held annually in the holiday season from the end of April to early May, drawing more than 100,000 spectators.

The lineup includes xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) from Yokohama Chinatown, fried chicken from Nakatsu, ramen, kaisen-don (seafood rice bowl), and meat dishes.

In 2024, a night market was held for the first time.

While the admission fee is 700 yen/day for adults, there is also an advance discount ticket. The payment is primarily limited to cash. Pets are not allowed at the site, and the parking fee for a standard-sized car is 1,000 yen.

Information
Date: April 27th to May 6th, 2024.
Time: 10:00 to 17:00 (Normal hours)/10:00 to 20:00 (Night Market hours)
Venue: Moricoro Park
Access: A short walk from Ai-Chikyuhaku Kinen Koen Station.
Official Site: All Japan Delicious Food Festival

10. Nagoya Ramen Festival (January)

Picture courtesy of PR Times.

Popular ramen restaurants from all over Japan gather at Nagoya Ramen Festival. It is a must-visit event for ramen enthusiasts.

The venue is Hisaya Odori Park, located in Sakae District in central Nagoya. The event is divided into three periods, with ten different restaurants at each period.

Picture courtesy of PR Times.

The official site provides information about each restaurant's noodles, soup, and overall taste.

Visitors will be asked to purchase tickets (1,000 yen per ramen).

Pets are not allowed at the site, and food other than baby food may not be brought in. There are no parking lots.

Information
Date: January 23rd to February 12th, 2024.
Time: 10:30 to 20:30
Venue: Edion Hisaya Hiroba at Hisaya-Odori Park
Access: A short walk from Subway Yaba-cho Station.
Official Site: Nagoya Ramen Festival

Enjoy Events Supported by the Locals

How many events did you know?

All the festivals mentioned above are famous, large-scale gatherings held annually. Use this article as a guide and start planning your trip next year.

Visit the city during an event, and you will experience the festive mood with the locals.