Latest Events in Nagasaki Prefecture(December Updated)

The Nagasaki Lantern Festival, held during the first 15 days of the Lunar New Year and marking the beginning of spring, is said to have been started by Chinese immigrants and became an official Nagasaki holiday in 1994. Held in the city's Chinatown, Japan's oldest, as Nagasaki was the only port open to foreign traders during the Heian and Edo periods. Besides enjoying the spectacular display of over 15,000 lanterns strung across the streets and canal bridges, attendees can also enjoy Chinese lion and dragon dances, the Emperor's procession, and even acrobatic performances. Street food stalls line the main thoroughfare, offering classic Japanese street food like yaki imo (grilled taro) and takoyaki (bite-sized octopus coated in a savory batter) as well as Chinese favorites like mooncakes.

In the spring of 2025, Huis Ten Bosch will host a new event with the theme of "Spring-like Grand Entertainment". This includes the wonderful new night show "Light Show". The wonderful combination of music, fountains and searchlights is fascinating. With the "Aurora Garden", the world's top light show destination, as the background, the finale of the fireworks show is impressive, and the gorgeous fireworks will light up the night sky. Fireworks are set off only on weekends, holidays and long weekends. Fireworks are set off only on weekends and holidays. You can experience the spring night with fireworks and lights in harmony against the backdrop of the European cityscape.

I'm Uncle Friday, who graced the opening of Friday Road Show from 1997 to 2009. It was created by director Hayao Miyazaki and finished by director Yoshifumi Kondo. Now, everyone. Was it through Friday Road Show that you first encountered Studio Ghibli films? Since airing "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind" in 1986, we have been bringing Studio Ghibli films to everyone. Many people all over Japan are watching at the same time. It's a special experience that can only be had through this program.

The Nagasaki Port Festival is a major summer event in Nagasaki, centered around the Port of Nagasaki. The event includes stage performances, food and beverage stalls, and fireworks displays, which are fun for all ages. The feast of sound and light that adorns the night sky is intoxicating. The reflection of the fireworks on the sea is a unique charm of the port location.

The Sasebo Seaside Festival in Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture, is a highly anticipated local event that will be held for the 21st time in 2025. The two-day festival held at Sasebo Port is rich and colorful. In addition to the activities on the day of the festival, there will be interactive activities suitable for the whole family to ensure that visitors will not get bored. The fireworks display will start at 7:30 pm on the 6th (Saturday), and musical fireworks will be staged at that time, combining music and atmosphere. The show will cover the entire venue with both visual and auditory effects, adding a bright touch of color to the end of summer. The highlights are the wide-area fireworks set off over a wide area of about 1 km, and the musical fireworks synchronized with the music. With the Sasebo Port at night as the background, the fireworks present a dreamy atmosphere of light and sound.

Every year, Japan's largest theme park, Huis Ten Bosch Nagasaki, hosts a dazzling Halloween celebration! FromOctober 3 - November 3, 2025, the European theme park will be transformed into a vibrant Halloween wonderland. Decorated head-to-toe in a spooky theme, this exciting celebration includes a lively Halloween parade featuring beloved characters like Miffy, as well as trick-or-treating for kids eager to collect candy. At night, visitors can embark on a lighted night walk where jack-o'-lanterns illuminate the path, admire incredible projection mapping, and finally enjoy a breathtaking fireworks display against the park's stunning backdrop!

In 2018, the Goura-cho, Iki City, Nagasaki Prefecture, hosted a fireworks display for the first time in approximately 40 years. Starting in 2019, the theme has been "The Gentle Fireworks of Iki Island, Missing Hometown." Fireworks bring energy and joy, adding a touch of color to Iki's hometown. In 2025, a multi-foot-long display will be launched for the first time. Approximately 1,000 fireworks illuminated the skies of Iki Island with a dazzling display, captivating visitors from both within and outside the island. The viewing area, surrounded by the azure sea and green plaza, was filled with stalls, and visitors could enjoy the fireworks while sitting on the grass.

Nagasaki Kunchi (長崎くんち) is a festival held at Suwa Shrine in Nagasaki from October 7th to 9th each year. With a history of approximately 400 years, the festival blends elements of Chinese and Dutch cultures, both of which have played important roles in Nagasaki's history. The festival's name is believed to derive from "Kunichi," the ninth day of the ninth lunar month. The festival features dances and performances by groups representing each of Nagasaki's wards. Each ward (Odori-cho) participates only once every seven years, so even regulars can enjoy the festival's freshness. Approximately five to seven groups perform each year, showcasing traditional Japanese dances, Chinese-influenced dragon dances, and large floats, many of which are shaped like ships. Some performances are serene and peaceful, others wild and unrestrained. Performances will be held at four main venues with paid seating and/or standing areas on the morning and evening of October 7th, and the mornings of October 8th and 9th. The four main stages are Suwa Shrine, Otabisho, Yasaka Shrine, and Central Park.