Yokohama’s event calendar reflects its dual identity as both a historic port city and a modern cultural hub. From traditional celebrations rooted in the 19th century to massive fireworks displays drawing hundreds of thousands of spectators, the city hosts events year-round. Here are the major Yokohama events and festivals, organized by month so you can plan your visit around specific dates.
Yokohama Events and Festivals: Winter (December-February)
Yokohama Mirai Light (Late November through December)
The city’s signature winter illumination transforms the entire Minato Mirai waterfront. The main display along Kishamichi Promenade features over 500,000 LED lights synchronized to music. The Landmark Tower, Queen’s Square, and the Red Brick Warehouse all participate with coordinated light displays. Best viewing is from the Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris wheel or the Landmark Tower Sky Garden. Free admission to all displays. Lights run daily from 17:00 to 22:00 (until 23:00 on weekends). The Red Brick Warehouse adds a Christmas market with German-style wooden huts selling gluhwein (800 yen) and ornaments from late November through December 25.
Yokohama Strawberry Festival (February)
Held at various venues across the city, including the Red Brick Warehouse and hotels in Minato Mirai. Features strawberry-themed desserts, buffets, and a strawberry-picking experience zone. Hotel New Grand hosts a strawberry afternoon tea (5,500 yen) with over 20 strawberry desserts. The event typically runs the first three weekends of February. Check the official Yokohama tourism website for exact dates, which are announced in January.
Chinese New Year (Late January or February)
Yokohama Chinatown hosts the largest Chinese New Year celebration in Japan, attracting 1.5 million visitors over the 15-day festival period. The highlight is the New Year’s Day parade (usually 15:00-17:00) featuring lion dances, dragon dancers, firecrackers, and traditional costumes. Restaurants offer special New Year set menus (3,000-8,000 yen). The Kanteibyo Temple holds special prayer ceremonies. Dates follow the lunar calendar , typically late January or early-to-mid February. Arrive by mid-morning to secure a good viewing spot along Chukagai Odori, the main street.
Yokohama Events and Festivals: Spring (March-May)
Cherry Blossom Viewing (Late March to Early April)
Yokohama’s sakura season peaks between March 28 and April 3. Sankeien Garden (700 yen, open 9:00-17:00) extends its hours to 20:30 during peak bloom with evening illuminations (additional 300 yen). Yamashita Park’s waterfront cherry trees create a tunnel of blossoms along the promenade. The Ooka River banks near Hinodecho Station are a local favorite , less crowded than the main tourist spots. The Negishi Forest Park has 300 cherry trees and fewer crowds than Sankeien. Hanami (cherry blossom viewing parties) are permitted in designated areas of Yamashita Park , bring a tarp and arrive by 8:00 AM to claim a spot on weekends.
Yokohama Port Opening Festival (June 2)
Commemorates the June 2, 1859 opening of Yokohama Port to international trade. The main events center around the Red Brick Warehouse and Zou-no-Hana Park with live music performances, food stalls (takoyaki, yakisoba, craft beer from 600 yen), and a parade of costumed participants representing the nationalities that shaped the early foreign settlement. Free admission. Fireworks at 19:30 over the port. The adjacent NYK Maritime Museum offers free admission on this day.
Yokohama Events and Festivals: Summer (June-August)
Yokohama Summer Festival and Fireworks (July)
Held on a Saturday in mid-July, this festival centers on Yamashita Park and the waterfront. The afternoon program includes traditional dance performances and food stalls (300-800 yen per item). The evening fireworks display launches 3,000 shells over Tokyo Bay starting at 19:30, lasting 60 minutes. Best viewing spots: Yamashita Park (arrive by 16:00 to claim a spot), the Red Brick Warehouse plaza, or the Osanbashi Pier rooftop. The Landmark Tower Sky Garden sells limited fireworks viewing tickets (3,000 yen, available from June 1) with guaranteed unobstructed views above the crowd.
Yokohama Sparkling Twilight (August)
This fireworks display over Yamashita Park launches approximately 8,000 shells across two dates in early August (usually the first Saturday and Sunday). The scale rivals Tokyo’s Sumida River Fireworks. Viewing from Yamashita Park is free but extremely crowded , 200,000 spectators pack the waterfront. Paid reserved seating (3,000-5,000 yen) is available through the official website starting in June. The Hikawa Maru ship offers a premium viewing package (15,000 yen including dinner). Alternative free viewing: the rooftop of World Porters shopping mall or Rinko Park on the opposite shore.
Yokohama Events and Festivals: Autumn (September-November)
Yokohama Oktoberfest (Late September to Early October)
The largest Oktoberfest in Japan, held at the Red Brick Warehouse plaza. Features over 80 German beer varieties (1,000-1,500 yen per 500ml), German sausages, pretzels, and oompah bands flown in from Munich. Runs for approximately two weeks. Entry is free but crowded on weekends , weekday afternoons offer the most relaxed experience. Beer tickets are purchased in advance at ticket booths (pre-paid card system). Open 12:00-21:30 on weekdays, 11:00-21:30 on weekends.
Yokohama Jazz Promenade (October)
Japan’s largest jazz festival spans two days in mid-October across 30+ venues throughout the city, from concert halls to street corners and bars. Over 1,500 musicians perform. The all-access pass (6,000 yen advance, 7,000 yen at the door) covers all official venues. Individual venue tickets are 2,000-3,000 yen. Free street performances happen in Motomachi, Kannai, and around Yokohama Station. Pick up a program at the Information Center in Sakuragicho Station.
Autumn Foliage Season (Mid-to-Late November)
Sankeien Garden (700 yen, open 9:00-17:00) is Yokohama’s premier autumn foliage destination, with maple trees reflecting in the central pond and the 1457 three-story pagoda framed by red and gold leaves. The garden extends hours to 19:30 with evening illuminations during peak color (usually the last two weeks of November, additional 300 yen). Mitsuike Park in Tsurumi Ward has a 300-meter tunnel of maple trees around three ponds , free and less crowded than Sankeien. Peak color typically runs November 20-30.
