The floats
Six floats take part: two kasaboko (“flower parasols”) and four yatai that carry musical ensembles.
FESTIVAL GUIDE · CHICHIBU, SAITAMA
Chichibu Night Festival
· planning window
PLAN AHEAD Annual dates; detailed 2026 program not verified · checked 26 September 2026
Lantern-covered floats, local kabuki, festival music and winter fireworks fill the streets around Chichibu Shrine during one of Japan’s major float festivals.
Official event information
Photo: Katorisi · CC BY 4.0
Photo credit & license
Chichibu Night Festival. Passing the floats of Nakamachi and Kamimachi. Chichibu city,Japan.jpg · Katorisi. Taken 2022-12-02. CC BY 4.0.
Wikimedia Commons resized preview; displayed uncropped, with no other edits. The image remains available under its linked license. Historical photograph, not a preview of the 2026 programme. No photographer or organizer endorsement is implied.
- WHEN
- The tourism organization gives the recurring dates as December 2–3. Treat these as a planning window: the 2026 procession, fireworks, tickets and special return-train schedule are not verified here.
- WHERE
- Chichibu Shrine and central Chichibu
- SEATS & TICKETS
- Street viewing is possible, but central accommodation and reserved viewing arrangements should be checked well ahead of Dec 3.
WHAT TO SEE
Plan around these moments
During the parade
Live music, dance and kabuki performances take place as the floats parade.
Any time of year
The Chichibu Festival Exhibition Hall is open throughout the year, until 17:00.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Getting there and staying close
Use Seibu-Chichibu or Chichibu Station and continue on foot. Large traffic restrictions make rail the practical choice.
Dress for a cold outdoor evening, arrive before the busiest procession period and confirm the last or special return train.
Saitama guide: base in Omiya; main gateway Direct rail from central Tokyo. Book the room before optional festival extras.
Open the Saitama travel guide →More festivals to compare
SOURCE CHECK · Official event information ↗. Michiru Japan is not affiliated with the organizer. Programmes, transport and ticket rules can change; the organizer's page is the final source.