Chichibu Night Festival 2026: Dec 2–3 Dates, Fireworks & Access
Chichibu Night Festival 2026 runs Dec 2 (Wed)–3 (Thu); the main night is Dec 3, when lantern-lit UNESCO floats are hauled up Dangozaka and winter fireworks fill the sky for about two hours. Free to attend; about 80 minutes from Ikebukuro — dates, venue and access below.
When · Where
- When
- 2026/12/02 14:00 – 2026/12/03
- Where
- Chichibu Shrine and central Chichibu City（1-3 Banba-machi, Chichibu City, Saitama）
- City
- Tokyo
- Getting there
- A few minutes' walk from Seibu-Chichibu Station; about 80 minutes by Limited Express from Ikebukuro, Tokyo.
- Price
- Free
- Organizer
- Chichibu Festival Committee / Chichibu Shrine
Good to know for visitors
- Getting there
- A few minutes' walk from Seibu-Chichibu Station; about 80 minutes by Limited Express from Ikebukuro, Tokyo. Open directions in Google Maps ↗
- Booking & entry
- Free to attend — details on the official page (button above).
- Language
- Mostly in Japanese — a translation app on your phone helps.
- Good for
- culture seekers, date night
Highlights
- Six ornate floats and kasaboko hauled up the steep Dangozaka slope to the shrine
- About two hours of winter fireworks — a rarity for the cold season
- The night spectacle of lantern-covered floats moving through dark streets
Background & story
A UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage event with over 300 years of history, the Chichibu Night Festival ranks among Japan's three great float festivals alongside Gion and Takayama.
Good to know
It is genuinely cold — dress for winter, and stake out a spot near Dangozaka before the floats begin their climb around 7pm on Dec 3.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the Chichibu Night Festival 2026?
- December 2–3, 2026 (Wed–Thu) — the festival is held on the same fixed dates every year. The main night is December 3, when the floats climb Dangozaka from around 7pm and winter fireworks run for roughly two hours.
- Is the Chichibu Night Festival free?
- Yes — attending is free. Paid grandstand (sajiki) seats near the Dangozaka climb are sold in advance for the main night.
- How do I get to the Chichibu Night Festival from Tokyo?
- Take the Seibu Limited Express from Ikebukuro to Seibu-Chichibu Station (about 80 minutes); the festival area is a few minutes' walk away. Check the last train back before you settle in — it is a cold December night.