Setsu Summer: What to Do in Niseko in August?

With a month full of festivals and events, you’ll never run out of things to do here in Niseko even at the height of summer. Here is a list of what is happening in and around Niseko during August.

In and Around Niseko

Niseko Town Tanabata Fireworks Display

1 August 2026

Enjoy a day of live music, traditional festival food, and games with family and friends at Niseko Town’s Tanabata Fireworks Display. Unlike other regions in Japan, Niseko holds the classic Tanabata festival a month later, during August, where they finish the evening with a spectacular display of over 1,500 fireworks launched into the night sky.

Kutchan Jaga Matsuri

1 – 2 August 2026

Jaga Matsuri, or the Potato Festival, is Kutchan’s biggest summer festival honouring the town’s produce of potatoes. The festival is held to celebrate the year’s successful harvest and to wish for another. Over these two days, an array of food stalls, games, beer gardens, dance parades, and fireworks will be happening in town.

Locals and tourists can come and join the Potato Hunt, an all-you-can-take potato game where you try getting potatoes as much as you can within a limited time. Don’t miss the taiko performances or the thousand-people dance on the street in front of Kutchan Station.

Niseko Hirafu Summer Marche

1 – 23 August 2026

A gathering at the base of Ace Gondola, the Niseko Hirafu Summer Marche is where you can get some baked goods, breads, coffee, handmade crafts and accessories, and more – all locally sourced. Meet and talk with the locals and discover a different charm to Niseko’s summer.

The marche will be held every weekend and on public holidays until the 23rd of August. From 8 – 11 August, a Niseko Sake & Food Fes will also be held at the same time at the same venue where you can enjoy local food, alcohol, and live music.

Niseko Hanazono Hill Climb

2 August 2026

Coinciding with Kutchan’s Jaga Matsuri is the Niseko Hanazono HillClimb. Like the Niseko Classic, it is a road cycling race event but this time, participants challenge the uphill slopes of Mt. Annupuri, covering a distance of 15.5 kilometres and an altitude of 796 metres. Everyone is welcome to participate or watch and cheer for the riders on this day.

Starry Sky Picnic

7 – 9, 11 – 12, 14 – 16 August

How about a walk under the stars this August? Niseko Annupuri will be holding their Starry Sky Picnic event again for the summer. Visitors will ride the gondola at night that will take them to the 1000m Plateau Observation Deck where they can get a clear view of the stars, away from the lights of the surrounding towns. While there, an expert on stars will explain and guide you through the starry sights of the night.

Mitsuwa Fireworks Display

8 August 2026

Another summer event in the Niseko area, the Mitsuwa Fireworks Display in the town of Rankoshi – just 30 minutes away by car – is a must-see fireworks show if you’ll be here in August. Immerse in the lively atmosphere of a local summer festival from food trucks, the traditional Bon Odori dance, and a magnificent fireworks display to end the night.

Iwanai Doto Fireworks Festival

8 – 9 August 2026

The town of Iwanai holds one of the biggest fireworks displays in the Niseko area during the summer. Less than an hour away from Niseko, the festival is held at the town’s port where there will be live performances, traditional dances, and games. Make sure to visit the Tarafuki Village, a special collection of Iwanai shops, during the festival.

Hokkai Soran Festival

9 August 2026

Soran Bushi, a famous traditional Japanese folk song first sung by the fishermen of Hokkaido, originated in the town of Yoichi – a town not far from Otaru and just an hour’s drive away from Niseko. With the goal of preserving and passing this song on to future generations, Yoichi holds their annual Hokkai Soran Festival where visitors can enjoy taiko drumming, dancing, and music performances performed by locals.

Typically held in July, this year’s Hokkai Soran Festival will be held on 9 August at the Yoichi Port. A small fireworks display will also be held at 19:15.

Magic Hour Gondola

9 – 11 August 2026

Watch the sunset in Niseko from a special place this August. The Ace Gondola will be extending their operation hours until 20:30 from 9 – 11 August, allowing guests to see a breathtaking view of the sun setting over Mt. Yotei.

On these same dates, live music performances will also be happening inside NEST813 from 16:00 – 18:30, as well as a special stargazing event with expert commentary on 9 – 10 August from 19:00 – 20:00.

Kyogoku Furusato Festival

14 August 2026

Joining the Obon celebrations, the nearby town of Kyogoku will also have their own summer festival on 14 August. Perfect for a family day out, enjoy a number of performances, food trucks, and child-friendly games and activities all held at the town’s Community Center Parking Lot. Expect a fireworks display as well to perfectly end the night.

Rankoshi Bon Odori Taikai

15 August 2026

Rankoshi, a neighbouring town, will also be celebrating Obon this August. Held at the town’s antenna shop’s parking lot, Machi no Chaya, bask in the town’s lively atmosphere as you enjoy the beer garden, bon odori (dance) performances by people dressed in costumes, and fireworks display. Come wearing a yukata and join the dances and you can receive a gift from the town.

Kyowa Scarecrow Festival

23 August 2026

A 30-minute drive away from Niseko is Kyowa Town, home to one of Hokkaido’s unique festivals and hometown of the scarecrows. The town has prepared some exciting activities for the festival such as a tasting session of the town’s specialty, Raiden melon, and a collect-all-you-can potato event. The town will also be featuring 100 distinct and unique scarecrows that everyone is welcome to see.

Fireworks and live music performances will also take place, including performances from special guests.

Hirafu Festival

28 – 29 August 2026

Hirafu Festival is Hirafu Village’s annual summer festival and it perfectly represents the area’s international community. For two days, the local community will be gathering to enjoy live performances, game booths, and an array of food stalls comprising both local and international food. If you’re visiting, don’t miss the popular events such as the taiko drum performance, fireworks, and the mochi catching event.

Noboribetsu Jigoku Matsuri

29 – 30 August 2026

Moving a bit further away, two hours from Niseko is Noboribetsu, home to the famous Hell Valley. Based on the legend that the Great Demon King Enma visits Noboribetsu Onsen on the last weekend of August when Hell Valley’s gate to hell opens, the town of Noboribetsu holds this festival where the local community parades around town dressed in demon costumes, carrying a demon mikoshi, taiko performances, demon dances, and the float of Great Demon King Enma goes around town.

Ongoing Events

44th Toyako Long Run Fireworks Festival

28 April – 31 October 2026

Almost an hour away by car from Niseko is Lake Toya, famous for its stunning scenery and numerous spa resorts. It is also home to the 187-day fireworks display, the Toyako Long Run Fireworks Festival. The event will run from 28 April to 31 October 2025 where visitors can enjoy a 20-minute fireworks display just by the lakeside.

Mountain Lights

1 July – 12 October 2026

The stunning immersive light art installation, Mountain Lights, will be open to visitors again this year starting 1 July. Located at the base of Mt. Annupuri in HANAZONO, enjoy Bruce Munro’s play on light, color, and sound – consisting of his three works: “Arrow Spring”, “Moon Bloom” and “Prismatic Spring” – from up above on the gondola, and up close as you leisurely walk through the illuminated path.

In addition to the mountain lights, HANAZONO will also be holding a summer fireworks display every Saturday starting 4 July until 10 October.

Sky Resort Shuttle Niseko

11 July – 12 October 2026

Discover Niseko’s summer charm as the Sky Resort Shuttle Niseko runs again this season for free. From 11 July to 12 October, people can now conveniently access Niseko’s landmarks including Hanazono, Grand Hirafu, and Takahashi Farm, where they can get on and off at any designated stop. The bus runs from day until night with its start and end points at the JR Kutchan Station and Niseko View Plaza.

Date Musha Festival

31 July – 1 August 2026

Just an hour and 15-minute drive away from Niseko by car, join in celebrating Date City’s long history of samurai traditions at their annual Date Musha Festival. Considered to be one of the city’s biggest summer events, the festival relives and celebrates its history through various events, including dances, a parade of warrior floats, cavalry procession, and even a horseback mounted archery performance.