Sapporo Events September 2025: Ultimate Guide to Autumn Fest & Fireworks
Sapporo is the prefectural capital of Hokkaido, known as a charming city where urban and natural elements merge seamlessly. While the city center offers urban sophistication, just a short distance away you can enjoy abundant greenery, creating an attractive blend of metropolitan life and nature.
Sapporo is dotted with historic tourist attractions and restaurants serving fresh seafood cuisine. Additionally, numerous seasonal events are held throughout the year, attracting many tourists from both domestic and international destinations.
This article introduces the highlights, timing, and venue access information for must-see events in Sapporo during September.
September's Must-See Sapporo Event: "Sapporo Autumn Fest"
The must-see Sapporo Event September 2025 is the "Sapporo Autumn Fest." This representative gourmet event of Sapporo began in 2008 with "Hokkaido and Sapporo cuisine" as its main theme. The festival takes place across a 1-kilometer stretch, dividing Odori Park into seven distinct areas.
The venue brings together approximately 300 shops featuring seasonal ingredients and local gourmet specialties, allowing visitors to thoroughly enjoy Hokkaido's culinary delights. Every year, more than 2 million people visit the venue, creating a bustling atmosphere.
<Information>
- Dates: September 12 October 4, 2025
- Access: Immediately accessible from Odori Station and Nishi 11-chome Station on various lines
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.sapporo.travel/autumnfest/
Exquisite Gourmet Selection from Across Hokkaido
At the venue, you can taste numerous exquisite gourmet dishes gathered from across Hokkaido. Since seasonal ingredients and local specialties from various parts of Hokkaido are assembled here, visitors can feel as if they're traveling to different regions while staying in Sapporo. Famous Hokkaido dishes like Genghis Khan (grilled lamb) and ramen have different flavors depending on the region, so I enjoyed sharing dishes with friends and comparing various menu items.
Since some areas change their food offerings depending on the festival period, it's understandable why there are many local repeat visitors. With so many menu options that you might feel overwhelmed, I recommend checking the official website's photo menu beforehand.
Each Venue Area Has a Set Theme, Offering Different Types of Cuisine
The venue is divided into themed areas, each offering menus with different characteristics. There are seven areas:
- 4th Street: IN4 (Info) Square
- 5th Street: Hokkaido BAKU BAKU BAKU
- 6th Street: Food and Music Harmony Delicious
- 7th Street: Odori Park 7th Street BAR
- 8th Street: Sapporo Odori Hokkaido Market
- 10th Street: Connecting Producers and You Meat Ju 10th Street
- 11th Street: PRECIOUS TABLE
Each area offers a different atmosphere, so I was able to tour the entire 1-kilometer event venue without getting tired. My recommendation is the 11th Street "PRECIOUS TABLE," where you can enjoy cuisine from Hokkaido's renowned restaurants. Being able to eat first-class flavors, including event-exclusive menus, at reasonable prices is a privilege unique to the "Sapporo Autumn Fest"!
Diverse Alcohol Lineup Perfectly Matching the Exquisite Cuisine
A variety of alcoholic beverages perfectly matched to the exquisite cuisine are also available. Each area offers draft beer, cocktails, fruit wines, and more, but the most diverse selection can be found at the 7th Street "Odori Park 7th Street BAR."
At the 7th Street area, you can enjoy Hokkaido-produced wine & spirits, sake, shochu, craft beer, and more with different flavors available daily or by festival period. I ended up having about four refills of daily wine specials and Hokkaido craft beer while snacking on meat skewers that were easy to eat with one hand. The outdoor venue has an open atmosphere, so you'll find yourself drinking more than usual!
With rare alcoholic beverages also available, why not enjoy a pleasant tipsy mood?
Popular Souvenirs from Across Hokkaido Gathered in One Place
Pay attention not only to the Hokkaido gourmet food you can eat on-site but also to the popular souvenirs from across Hokkaido gathered in one location. At the 8th Street "Sapporo Odori Hokkaido Market," the "Hokkaido Souvenir Market" operates, bringing together specialty products from various parts of Hokkaido that are difficult to find in Sapporo.
From processed goods using local agricultural products to famous sweets and dried goods, all products are so attractive that choosing will take time. Items that are individually wrapped or have long expiration dates are perfect as souvenirs for family and friends. While enjoying gourmet food and drinks, be sure to check out the souvenirs as well.
Stage Events to Get Excited While Enjoying Gourmet Food and Drinks
The stage events where you can get excited while enjoying gourmet food and drinks are must-see!
At the 6th Street "Food and Music Harmony Delicious," you can enjoy Hokkaido gourmet while experiencing music programs by talented musicians on an outdoor stage. When I visited, jazz was mainly performed, and I spent an exquisite time listening to jazz's characteristically pleasant background music. Since you can eat while listening to music, it's also attractive that you can casually participate alone without family or friends.
Eating while listening to wonderful live performances by artists is the best!
Author's Recommended Route for Maximum Event Enjoyment
Finally, I'll introduce the author's recommended route for maximizing event enjoyment.
While the general route of getting off at Odori Park Station and visiting from the entrance at 4th Street to 11th Street in order is good, I prefer the route of getting off at Nishi 11-chome Station and touring from 11th Street to 4th Street.
This is because the 11th Street "PRECIOUS TABLE" area is popular for its numerous exquisite dishes by first-class chefs, and some menus sell out. Visit 11th Street first to enjoy the exquisite cuisine before it sells out. After that, the best approach is to leisurely walk to 4th Street while eating interesting menu items and exploring!
After enjoying daytime events, enjoy bar hopping in Susukino at night!
After enjoying daytime events, why not try bar hopping in "Susukino" at night? The Sapporo Bar Hopping Food Tour allows you to visit three local favorite restaurants and bars in the famous entertainment district "Susukino" that you wouldn't be able to find on your own.
First, you'll stroll through the lively streets of "Susukino" while heading to the first establishment. At the restaurants recommended by your guide, you can savor fresh local seafood and drinks that perfectly complement the cuisine.
The final stop allows you to choose between sweet parfait or delicious ramen, so you can decide based on your mood at the time. Since Sapporo is famous for its "shime parfait" culture of eating parfait at the end of a drinking session, I recommend the parfait shop! Sweet parfait after alcohol has an addictively delicious taste.
Let your friendly guide teach you about the food and drinks while you enjoy Sapporo's vibrant nightlife!
Information:
- Meeting place: Under the NIKKA sign
- Tour area: Susukino
- Start time: 6:00 PM
The author's long-awaited event featuring beautiful fireworks that color Sapporo in September
From here, I'll introduce the author's long-awaited events where you can see beautiful fireworks that color Sapporo in September. September nights in Sapporo become a bit chilly, and the fireworks launched into the clear night sky create a fantastical evening atmosphere.
Hokkaido Artistic Fireworks
Source:Official website
Hokkaido Moerenuma Artistic Fireworks is a fireworks festival held at Moerenuma Park where music and fireworks synchronize. The spectacular sight of fireworks crafted by Japan's top-level pyrotechnicians launching into the night sky over the vast park is breathtaking and captivates viewers.
The fireworks that bloom in harmony with famous songs and upbeat music have a narrative quality, and the approximately 50-minute fireworks display will pass by in the blink of an eye. When I first watched this fireworks festival, I was mesmerized by the perfectly calculated staging. This artistic fireworks display is guaranteed to create lasting memories!
The next day, there's also the "World's Most Fun Trash Pickup" event to collect leftover garbage at the venue, so why not participate while taking a stroll through the park?
Information:
- Date: September 6, 2025
- Access: Take a bus from Kanjo-dori Higashi Station to Moerenuma Park East Exit (immediate arrival)
- Admission: From 5,500 yen
- Website: https://www.moere.jp/
Doshin Autumn Fireworks
Source:Weather News
Doshin Autumn Fireworks is a fireworks festival held at Sapporo Dome, featuring cutting-edge digital technology and a collaboration of music with 18,000 fireworks. Since it takes place inside the dome, you're close to the fireworks, allowing you to enjoy an immersive fireworks experience, which is an attractive feature.
When fireworks by award-winning pyrotechnicians from fireworks competitions are launched, the venue immediately heats up. Colorful fireworks dance in the night sky to the rhythm of music, allowing you to enjoy fireworks through both visual and auditory senses - I was so absorbed in the atmosphere that I forgot to eat my snacks.
While the fireworks can be viewed for free from outside the venue, I recommend booking official paid seats if you want to sit comfortably and watch. Terrace reserved seats come with free drinks so you can fully enjoy the fireworks.
Information:
- Date: September 14, 2025
- Access: 10-minute walk from Fukuzumi Station on the Toho Line
- Admission: From 3,600 yen
- Website: https://moula.jp/LP/doshin_akihanabi/
Other Must-See Events to Enjoy in Sapporo in September
From here, we will introduce other must-see events that you can enjoy in Sapporo in September. The content can be enjoyed by people of all ages, so feel free to participate with friends and family! These exciting Sapporo Event September 2025 offerings provide unforgettable experiences for tourists visiting the city.
No Maps
Source:Official website
No Maps is an event that started in 2016, set in Sapporo, creating next-generation spaces for interaction through innovative ideas and technology regardless of genre. It is named after a documentary film that followed American science fiction writer William Gibson, with the wish to "explore uncharted territories" embedded in it.
At the event, numerous exciting programs for the future are held at various locations throughout Sapporo, including talk sessions, live performances, and events across different genres. I experienced slacklining from the sports program. Slacklining involves simply walking or jumping while balancing on a 5cm wide belt, but it was surprisingly difficult and I was stimulated by this new experience.
Experience programs with various themes and think about the possibilities of the future! This innovative Sapporo Event September 2025 showcase promises to inspire visitors with cutting-edge experiences.
Information
- Schedule: September 10-14, 2025
- Access: Various locations throughout Sapporo City
- Admission fee: Depends on the event
- Website: https://no-maps.jp/
Sapporo Rainbow Pride
Source:Official website
Sapporo Rainbow Pride is an event held at Odori Park that aims to realize a society where LGBTQ and other sexual minorities can live as themselves without being exposed to discrimination and prejudice.
The event has three goals:
• "Inform" about LGBTQ
• "Connect" LGBTQ
• "Change society" through LGBTQ
In the main program parade, based on these three goals, participants march through the city holding rainbow flags and messages, and booths with stage performances and merchandise sales are also set up at the venue.
Why not participate in the event and reconsider diverse ways of sexuality? This meaningful Sapporo Event September 2025 celebration welcomes tourists from around the world to join in promoting inclusivity and understanding.
Information
- Schedule: September 13-14, 2025
- Access: Right from Odori Station (all lines)
- Admission fee: Free
- Website: https://www.sprrainbowpride.com/
To Fully Enjoy Tourist Destinations Throughout Japan, Have Local Guides Show You Around Each City!
To fully enjoy tourist destinations throughout Japan, have local guides show you around each city. Participating in local tours is recommended as you can be introduced to hidden gem spots known only to those in the know, and be guided to famous places without getting lost.
Magical Trip tours have guides who are well-versed in tourist destinations, so they can teach you the best ways to enjoy each city. Tours with various themes such as Japanese traditional culture, gourmet food, and history are available, so you'll surely find a tour that's perfect for you. Why not create unforgettable memories through experiences you can't usually have?
