Nagoya 2025 Festivals and Fireworks: 11 Major Annual Events

Major Festivals and Fireworks Displays in Nagoya 2025

Nagoya boasts famous festivals throughout the year. Besides fireworks, there are also unique events featuring gatherings of ramen shops and regional foods from all over Japan, offering exciting experiences for both adults and children.

In this article, Nagoya festivals held in 2025 with tips on highlights, access, and how to enjoy these events to the fullest.

Nagoya Festivals in 2025

1. Tenno Festival (June)
2. Toyohashi Gion Festival (July)
3. Marine Day Nagoya Minato Festival (July)
4. Entotsuji Tanabata Festival (July)
5. Nagoya Castle Summer Festival (August)
6. Osu Summer Festival (August)
7. Nippon do Mannaka Festival (August, November)
8. Nagoya Festival (October)
9. Nagoya Ramen Festival (January)
10. Nagoya Castle Spring Festival (March)
11. All Japan Delicious Food Festival (April)

1. Tenno Festival (June)

Photo by Pixta
The Tenno Festival (Higashi Ward Float Festival Tsutsui-machi Tenno Festival) is a traditional event passed down in the eastern areas of Nagoya City.

Originally held since the Edo period to pray for protection from plagues before summer, it is held every year on the first Saturday and Sunday in June.

Photo by Pixta
Five beautifully embroidered floats each carry moveable puppets, which march through the neighborhoods. The dancing puppets in sync with traditional music make for a truly unique spectacle.

At night, the floats are decorated with countless lanterns, creating a magical and enchanting scene different from daytime.

In 2024, many food stalls were set up mainly around Kenchu-ji Park.

Event Details
Date: June 7 - June 8, 2025
Time: 19:20 – 20:10
Location: Around Higashi Ward Tsutsui-machi Shopping Street and the entire Megurin School District in Higashi Ward
Access: 5-minute walk from Subway "Shonai-dori" Station to Tsutsui-machi Shopping Street, 18-minute walk from Subway "Shonai-dori" Station to Megurin School District
Official Website: Tenno Festival

2. Toyohashi Gion Festival (July)

Picture courtesy of Toyohashi Gion Festival

The Toyohashi Gion Festival is a traditional festival held every July in Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture. The highlight of this festival is the impressive mikoshi (festival floats) called yamakasa, which parade through the streets.

At night, these floats, decorated with lanterns, shine with a dreamy, magical glow. Festive stalls and portable shrines also add to the vibrant atmosphere, filling the venue with excitement.

The festival is a prayer for the prosperity and peace of the city, attracting many participants from local residents to tourists. During the event, traditional performances and regional特色 activities are held, allowing visitors to experience a lively and culturally rich summer celebration in Toyohashi.

Event Details
Schedule: July 18 - 20 (fireworks display held on July 19th)
Time: Varies by day, please check the official website for details.
Location: Central Toyohashi City and along the Tokaido Line
Access: About a 10-minute bus or walk from JR Tokaido Main Line Toyohashi Station
Official Website: Toyohashi Gion Festival

Book your Toyohashi Fireworks Festival nd Peach Picking Day Trip Tour

Picture courtesy of kkday

Highlights of the Day Trip Tour
- Watch approximately 12,000 fireworks up close!
- Enjoy seasonal peach picking and unlimited tasting!

3. Ocean Day Nagoya Port Festival (July)

The Ocean Day Nagoya Port Festival is one of Nagoya's major summer events, attracting approximately 340,000 visitors.

The main highlight is the fireworks display, with about 3,000 fireworks being launched.

Viewing areas include those in front of Nagoya Port Aquarium and the shopping mall JETTY (both free).

During the day, events such as marching band performances and Japanese drum (taiko) concerts are held.

Every year, food stalls line the approximately 700-meter stretch along the route between Tsukiji-guchi Station and Nagoya Port Station on the subway.

Please note that due to traffic restrictions around the venue, there are no parking or bicycle parking facilities available.

Event Details
Date: July 21, 2025
Time: 14:00 – 20:10
Location: Nagoya Port Garden Futo area
Access: 6-minute walk from Nagoya Port Station on the subway
Official Website: Ocean Day Nagoya Port Festival

4. Endoji Tanabata Festival (July)

Photo by Pixta

The Endoji Tanabata Festival is held annually over five days starting from the Wednesday of the last week of July.

Photo by Pixta

During the festival period, the arcade of Endoji Shopping Street and Endoji Honmachi Shopping Street are decorated with vibrant Tanabata ornaments and character-shaped paper lanterns.

Many food stalls line the streets, and performances such as street arts and dance shows are held. Near the shopping streets, at Nagono Campus venue, a Bon Odori (summer dance) festival also takes place.

Event Details
Schedule: July 30 – August 3, 2025
Hours: Around noon each day until 21:00
Location: Within Endoji Shopping Street and Honmachi Shopping Street
Access: 8-minute walk from Kokusai Center Station and Marunouchi Station on the subway
Official Website: Endoji Tanabata Festival

5. Nagoya Castle Summer Festival (August)

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As the name suggests, the Nagoya Castle Summer Festival is a major event that energizes Nagoya Castle during the summer.

The highlight is the large Bon Odori (traditional summer dance) held every day from 6 PM during the festival. With Nagoya Castle's main keep in the background, traditional yagura towers are set up, creating a festive summer atmosphere!

Photo by Pixta

The Shachi Shokudo area is lined with food and sweets stalls. You can also enjoy festival games such as goldfish scooping.

Admission fees are 500 yen for adults, while middle school students and younger can enter for free. Those in yukata or traditional Japanese attire receive a discounted rate of 400 yen.

Since it tends to be very crowded every year, visitors are encouraged to use public transportation.

Event Details
Schedule: August 9 – 17, 2025
Hours: 9:00 – 20:30 (closes at 21:00)
Location: Nagoya Castle
Access: 5-minute walk from Nagoya Station on the subway
Official Website: Nagoya Castle Summer Festival

6. Osu Summer Festival (August)

Nagoya's Naka Ward Osu area comes alive with a vibrant summer festival.

During the day, traditional events such as authentic Samba parade and Awa Odori parade take place, while at night, the Bon Odori dance festival is held within Osu Kannon’s precincts, making it a lively all-day celebration!

Unique events like the World Cosplay Summit parade and big-eating contests are also featured. Within Osu Kannon’s precincts, you can enjoy beer and shaved ice stalls.

The festival culminates with approximately 90 hand-held fireworks (teboko hanabi), whose dazzling sparks soaring into the sky, accompanied by the sound of taiko drums, create an electrifying atmosphere.

Event Details
Schedule: August 2 - 3, 2025
Time: Varies depending on the event
Location: Osu Shopping Street and Osu Kannon
Access: 3-minute walk from Osu Kannon Station on the subway; 2-minute walk from Kamimaezu Station on the subway (to Osu Shopping Street)
Official Website: Osu Summer Festival

7. Nippon do Mannaka Festival (August & November)

The event popularly known as Domatsuri — officially called Nippon do Mannaka Festival — is one of Japan's largest dance festivals. It takes place in August and November.

Around 200 teams from Japan and abroad participate, showcasing their local pride through dance! Highlights include teams performing to regional music, and participants dressed in traditional costumes with creative twists.

In August 2024, the festival was held at multiple venues including the special stage at Hisaya Odori Park in Sakae, Nagoya's downtown area. Food stalls offering local delicacies and sweets were also set up.

On event days, traffic restrictions are implemented around the venues.

In November, the venue moves to Moricoro Park in Nagakute City, where the "Tele Domatsuri" is held, blending video artworks with real-time performances to create a unique experience.

Event Details
Schedule: August 29 - 31 and November 18 - 23, 2025
Time: 19:20 – 20:10
Locations: Hisaya Odori Park, Oasis 21, Nagoya Castle, and others
Access: 1-minute walk from Yabacho Station on the subway (to Edion Yabacho Square within Hisaya Odori Park, where the main stage is located)
Official Website: Nippon do Mannaka Festival

8. Nagoya Festival (October)

Photo by Pixta

The Nagoya Festival is the largest autumn festival in Nagoya, held annually since its first event in 1955. It is a long-standing tradition cherished by many, with around 1 million visitors each year!

The highlight is the Kyodo Eiketsu Gyoretsu (Local Hero Parade), where about 650 warriors and retainers representing famous Nagoya-related samurai (Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Tokugawa Ieyasu) march through the streets.

The samurai costumes worn by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members during the battle reenactments add an exciting and powerful touch to the event!

Photo by Pixta

At the Hisaya Odori Park venue, food stalls line the area. Additionally, many of Nagoya’s tourist attractions are open to the public for free, creating a lively atmosphere with the city coming together.

Viewing the parade and entering the festival are free of charge. There is no dedicated parking, so it is recommended to visit using public transportation.

Event Details
Schedule: October 18 - 19, 2025
Hours: Varies depending on the event and venue
Locations: Hisaya Odori Park, Oasis 21, Nagoya Castle, and others
Access: Immediately accessible from Hisaya Odori Station, Sakae Station, and Sakaemachi Station on the Meitetsu Seto Line
Official Website: Nagoya Festival

9. Nagoya Ramen Festival (January)

Picture courtesy of PR Times

The Nagoya Ramen Festival is a must-visit event for ramen lovers, bringing together popular ramen shops from all over Japan—from Hokkaido to Kyushu.

The venue is located at Hisaya Odori Park in the heart of Nagoya’s Sakae district. During the festival, the event is divided into three periods, each featuring 10 shops, totaling 30 different ramen stalls.

Picture courtesy of PR Times

You can check the features of each ramen shop—such as noodle thickness and broth flavor (richness)—on the official website.

The ramen is served via a ticket exchange system (1 bowl for 1,000 yen).

Pets are not allowed to enter. Bringing outside food and drinks, except for baby food, is prohibited. There is no dedicated parking lot.

Event Details
Schedule: January 28 - February 16, 2025
Hours: 10:30 – 20:30
Location: Hisaya Odori Park, Edion Hisaya Square
Access: Immediately accessible from Yabacho Station on the subway
Official Website: Nagoya Ramen Festival

10. Nagoya Castle Spring Festival (March)

Nagoya Castle Spring Festival is a spring celebration held to coincide with the cherry blossom peak at Nagoya Castle.

The cherry trees at Nagoya Castle include about 10 varieties, primarily Somei Yoshino and Shidarezakura, with around 900 trees in total!

During the festival period, there are many events such as stage performances by popular rakugo comedians, rappers, and musicians, food and sweets stalls, traditional tea ceremonies, and more.

Admission is 500 yen for adults and free for junior high school students and younger. You can also use the dedicated parking lot at Nagoya Castle.

Event Details
Schedule: March 20 - May 6, 2025
Hours: Varies depending on the event
Location: Nagoya Castle
Access: 5-minute walk from "Nagoya Castle" Station
Official Website: Nagoya Castle Spring Festival

11. All Japan Delicious Food Festival (April)

Picture courtesy of ＠press

The All Japan Delicious Food Festival (aka Umaimono Matsuri) is one of the largest gourmet events in the Tokai region. Held every year during Golden Week, it attracts over 100,000 visitors and is a popular event.

It features a wide variety of local specialties, from popular signature dishes like Xiaolongbao dumplings from Yokohama Chinatown and Karaage fried chicken from Nakatsu, to ramen, seafood bowls, meat dishes, and more!

In 2024, as an inaugural trial, the event included a Night Market held during the evening hours.

The admission fee is 700 yen for adults (one-day pass), with discounted advance tickets available. Payments are mainly cash-only. Pets are not allowed. There is parking available (1,000 yen for regular cars).

Event Details

Schedule: April 26 - May 6, 2025
Hours: 10:00–17:00 (regular days), 10:00–20:00 (during Night Market days)
Location: Aichi Earthquake Memorial Park (Aichi Flower Park)
Access: Immediately accessible from Aichi Earthquake Memorial Park Station
Official Website: All Japan Delicious Food Festival

Join the Famous Festivals Loved by Nagoya Kids

All the Nagoya festivals introduced here are large-scale and well-known, held every year. Use this information as a reference to plan your next trip.

If you time your trip to coincide with a festival period, you can experience a different kind of excitement and a sense of unity with local people that is hard to find otherwise!

Main image by Pixta