*AI Translated
In autumn, Fukuoka comes alive with a wide variety of events—from traditional festivals and cultural celebrations to music festivals and dazzling illuminations.
This article introduces the top events happening across Fukuoka Prefecture in September, October, and November, organized by month. You’ll also find details such as dates, highlights, and venue information to help you plan your seasonal outings or trips.
September 2025 Events and Festivals in Fukuoka: Fireworks, Traditional Celebrations, and More
Yame Festival: September 20 & 21, 2025
The Yame Festival, held annually in Yame City, Fukuoka Prefecture, is an autumn celebration that takes place alongside the traditional "Yame Fukushima Lantern Dolls" event, which dates back to the Edo period.
During the festival, thousands of lanterns light up the city streets, creating a warm and enchanting atmosphere at dusk.
The Yame Fukushima Tourou Ningyo is a nationally designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. This traditional karakuri puppet show is performed on an 8-meter-high stage, and is known for its intricate, hand-operated mechanisms.
During the festival, visitors can also enjoy parades, stage performances, and street stalls, making it a vibrant two-day celebration of Yame's culture and community spirit.
- 2025 Date and time: September 20 (Sat) and 21 (Sun)
- Location: Yame City Honmachi and Fukushima area
- Official website: https://www.city.yame.fukuoka.jp/soshiki/3/kankou/1/matsurievent/yamenomatsuri/12793.html
Hakozaki Shrine Hojo-ya: September 12~18 every year
With a history of over 1,000 years, Hojo-ya at Hakozaki Shrine is one of Hakata’s three major festivals and is held annually from September 12th to 18th. Originally a Buddhist event to show gratitude for life and discourage killing, it has since evolved into a celebration to pray for business prosperity and family safety.
During the festival, around 500 stalls line the busy shrine approach, offering archery games, goldfish scooping, and the popular “fresh ginger” stalls. In addition to traditional Shinto rituals and votive offerings, visitors can also enjoy performances of gagaku (ancient court music) and dance. Hojo-ya is a quintessential autumn festival in Fukuoka, blending deep-rooted tradition with lively local culture.
- 2025 Date and time: September 12 (Fri) ~ 18 (Thu)
- Venue: Hakozaki Shrine (1-22-1 Hakozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture)
- Official website: https://www.hakozakigu.or.jp/omatsuri/houjoya/
Nakasu Jazz Festival: September 13 and 14, 2025
The Nakasu Jazz Festival is a free urban jazz event held primarily in Nakasu, the entertainment district of Hakata-ku in Fukuoka City. During the festival, all of Nakasu transforms into a live music venue, with special stages set up in over a dozen locations—such as Nakagawa Street along the river and areas filled with restaurants—hosting performances by jazz artists from across Japan and abroad.
This open-air festival blends Nakasu’s vibrant food culture with music and is free for anyone to enjoy. The streets come alive with crowds of locals and visitors alike. First held in 2010, the event is also notable for being organized with the support of local residents and volunteers.
- 2025 Date and time: September 13 (Sat) and 14 (Sun)
- Venue: Fukuoka City, Hakata-ku, Nakasu area area (Nakagawa Street, Nakasu intersection, etc.)
- Official website: https://nakasujazz.net/
BAYSIDE FESTIVAL: September 6 & 7, 2025
The BAYSIDE FESTIVAL, held at Bayside Place Hakata in Fukuoka, is a lively event featuring live performances by local musicians and DJs, art exhibitions, and gourmet food trucks. You’ll also find booths selling handmade goods and accessories, along with occasional workshops led by local creators.
For families, the festival includes play areas and fair-style attractions where kids can have fun, making it an event that people of all ages can enjoy. Admission is free.
- 2025 Date and time: September 6 (Sat) and 7 (Sun)
- Venue: Bayside Place Hakata (Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City)
- Official website: https://www.instagram.com/hakata_bayfes/
MUSIC CITY TENJIN: September 27 & 28, 2025
MUSIC CITY TENJIN is a large-scale urban music festival held in the Tenjin area of Fukuoka City. First launched in 2002, the event continues to bring energy to the city through the power of music.
Multiple outdoor stages—including Keigo Park and Fureai Plaza next to Fukuoka City Hall—host live performances by artists across a wide range of genres, including J-POP, rock, jazz, and acoustic music. Most performances are free to attend, making it easy to enjoy live music in the heart of Tenjin.
There’s also a special stage dedicated to showcasing up-and-coming artists and student musicians, offering a chance to discover the next generation of talent.
- 2025 Date and time: September 27 (Sat) and 28 (Sun)
- Location: Various locations in the Tenjin area (Keigo Park, Fureai Plaza on the west side of Fukuoka City Hall, etc.)
- Official website: https://www.musiccitytenjin.com/
Iizuka Noryo Fireworks Festival: September 25, 2025
One of the most well-known fireworks festivals in the Chikuho region, the Iizuka Noryo Fireworks Festival is held every year in late September along the Onga River riverbed in Iizuka City. In 2025, it is scheduled for Thursday, September 25, with approximately 5,000 fireworks set to light up the night sky.
The highlight of the event includes a variety of displays such as musical fireworks synchronized to music, star mines, and large shakudama shells. With the launch site located close to the viewing area, visitors can enjoy the powerful fireworks up close.
Food stalls and local vendors line the area around the venue, making it the perfect way to enjoy the last moments of summer while feeling the refreshing river breeze. In case of rain, the festival will be postponed to the following day.
- 2025 Date and time: Thursday, September 25 *Postponed in case of stormy weather
- Venue: Ongagawa Nakanoshima (Iizuka City)
- Official website: https://www.city.iizuka.lg.jp/shokokanko/ivent-c/hanabi.html
October 2025 Events and Festivals in Fukuoka: Autumn Matsuri, Historical Parades, and Local Culture
The 7th Kokura Castle Take-Akari: October 24 ~ November 3, 2025
Kokura Castle Take-Akari is a light-up event that beautifully illuminates Kokura Castle, the iconic symbol of Kitakyushu City, using bamboo lanterns and artistic displays. Around 30,000 bamboo lanterns are installed throughout the historic castle town, creating a magical atmosphere filled with soft, glowing lights. The castle’s main keep, traditional gardens, and koi pond are all gently lit, offering a dreamlike nighttime experience.
In addition to the lantern displays, the event features art installations, live performances of traditional Japanese instruments, and food and drink booths. This community-rooted festival blends local bamboo culture with art and urban revitalization, making it a uniquely atmospheric celebration of light and tradition.
- 2025 Date and time: October 24 (Fri) ~ November 3 (Mon)
- Location: Kokura Castle and the castle area (Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu City)
- Admission fee: 500 yen (free for junior high school students and above/elementary school students and younger)
- Official website: https://kokurajotakeakari.com/
Munakata Taisha Autumn Festival "Miare Festival": October 1, 2025
The Miare Festival, held every year on October 1 at Munakata Taisha Shrine in Munakata City, Fukuoka Prefecture, is a traditional event to pray for the safety and prosperity of fishing in the Genkai Sea. It also serves as the autumn festival of Munakata Taisha.
Beginning in the morning, over 100 fishing boats depart from Kamiminato Port, proudly flying large tairyo-bata (fishing flags), and parade across the sea. A ceremony is held to welcome the three goddesses of Munakata, enshrined in the three sacred sites: Okitsu Shrine, Nakatsu Shrine, and Hetsu Shrine.
The fleet passes the remote Okitsunomiya Worship Hall of Munakata Taisha, and the highlight of the festival is the Miare Procession, in which the spirits of the goddesses are ceremonially transferred to Hetsu Shrine. The festival has also been designated by the Japanese government as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset that should be documented and preserved.
- 2025 Date and time: October 1 (Wednesday)
- Location: Munakata Taisha Shrine (Munakata City, Fukuoka Prefecture) and around Kamiminato Port
- Official website: https://bunka.nii.ac.jp/heritages/detail/588080
Hakata Old Town Light-up Walk 2025 Millennium Brilliant Night: October 31 ~ November 3, 2025
Hakata Old Town Light-up Walk: Millennium Brilliant Night is an annual autumn event that beautifully illuminates the historic temples, shrines, and townscapes of Hakata Ward in Fukuoka City.
During the event, the grounds and corridors of normally closed sites—such as Tochoji Temple, Jotenji Temple, Kushida Shrine, and Myorakuji Temple—are lit up in a magical glow. Visitors can also enjoy artistic displays such as bamboo lanterns and projection mapping installations.
Starting from the Hakata Millennium Gate, you can take a captivating night stroll where history and light come together.
Please note that entry to each venue requires either advance reservations or a same-day ticket.
- 2025 Date and time: October 31 (Fri) ~ November 3 (Mon)
- Venue: Hakata Old Town Area (Tochoji Temple, Jotenji Temple, Kushida Shrine, etc.)
- Official website: https://www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/hakataku/t-shinko/luw/index.html
Nakasu Festival: October 25 and 26, 2025
The Nakasu Festival, held in Nakasu—the vibrant nightlife district of Hakata-ku in Fukuoka City—is a community-based event that brings together local shopping streets, restaurants, and residents to create a lively celebration.
Highlights include a geisha parade by the Hakata kenban (geisha office), a traditional oiran (courtesan) procession, and a parade featuring the Fukuoka Goodwill Ambassador. These events offer visitors a chance to experience the unique history and cultural atmosphere of Nakasu.
The festival also features a variety of street food vendors, fair-style booths, and live stage performances, making it enjoyable for both children and adults. As night falls, the excitement of the festival merges with Nakasu’s iconic neon lights, making it one of the area’s most dynamic and beloved annual events.
- 2025 Date and Time: October 25 (Sat) and 26 (Sun)
- Venue: Nakasu Boulevard area (Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City)
- Official website: https://www.nakasumatsuri.com/
Kyushu Oktoberfest in Moji Port: October 10~13, 2025
At the world’s largest beer festival—Germany’s famous Oktoberfest—the highlight is enjoying a glass of Festbier.
This traditional beer, brewed in the Märzen style, is made in the spring and aged until autumn, resulting in a rich barley aroma, mellow flavor, and deep, satisfying body. At the Kyushu Oktoberfest in Moji Port, you can enjoy a tasting experience featuring Festbiers from four Kyushu breweries, alongside authentic Festbier brewed by Hofbräu, a legendary beer hall from Munich.
The festival also serves classic German gourmet foods such as sausages and pretzels, all accompanied by lively German music for an immersive Oktoberfest experience in Japan.
- 2025 Date and time: October 10th (Friday) ~ 13th (Monday, holiday)
- Location: Moji Port Retro Central Plaza (Moji Ward, Kitakyushu City)
- Official website: https://kyushu-okfes.com/
Kukinoumi Fireworks Festival: October 25, 2025
The Kukinoumi Fireworks Festival, held in Wakamatsu Ward, Kitakyushu City, is a large-scale fireworks event that takes place over Tokai Bay. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Wakato-Ohashi Bridge and the glowing nightscape of the nearby factories, around 5,000 fireworks light up the sky.
Highlights include a variety of dazzling displays such as music-synchronized fireworks, continuous star mines, and underwater fireworks. Depending on your viewing spot, you can enjoy different perspectives and compositions of the show.
The festival grounds are lined with food stalls and event booths, making it a lively attraction not just for locals, but also for visitors traveling from other regions.
- Date and time of the event in 2025: Saturday, October 25 *Canceled in case of stormy weather
- Venue: Kitakyushu City, Wakamatsu Ward, Tokai Bay Coastal Area (around Wakato Bridge)
- Official website: https://www.city.kitakyushu.lg.jp/wakamatsu/file_0033.html
November 2025 Events and Festivals in Fukuoka: Cultural Parades, Illuminations, and Seasonal Highlights
Yanagawa Hakushu Festival: November 1 ~ November 3 every year
The Hakushu Festival is held annually from November 1st to 3rd in Yanagawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture, to commemorate the death anniversary of the poet Kitahara Hakushu. This historic cultural event has been celebrated since 1937 (Showa 12), and includes poetry monuments, memorial ceremonies honoring Hakushu's achievements, and poetry and flower offerings by children.
The festival’s main highlight is the Hakushu Water Parade, where boats adorned with lanterns float down Yanagawa’s canals, creating a dreamlike scene. Onboard, participants recite Hakushu’s poems and perform live music inspired by his work. The gentle harmony between the illuminated water and night sky leaves a lasting impression.
This beloved cultural event is supported by the entire community, with local citizens, schools, and organizations working together to bring it to life each year.
- 2025 Date and time: November 1 (Sat) ~ 3 (Mon)
- Venue: Various places in Yanagawa City (digging, water stage, around Hakushu's birthplace, etc.)
- Official website: https://www.city.yanagawa.fukuoka.jp/rekishibunka/bunkajigyo/shusaijigyou/8389.html
Matsuri Kigyosai Hachiman (Entrepreneurship Festival Hachiman): November 8 and 9, 2025
The Matsuri Kigyosai Hachiman (Entrepreneurship Festival Hachiman) is a signature autumn event in Kitakyushu City, originally established to commemorate the founding of the government-operated Hachiman Steel Works. In 2025, it will take place on November 8th and 9th, centered around Higashida Boulevard Park.
The festival features a wide variety of attractions, including stage performances, character shows, parades, and presentations by local junior and senior high school students. Food stalls and gourmet booths offer local specialties and classic B-grade gourmet dishes popular across Japan.
The grand finale showcases approximately 3,000 fireworks lighting up the night sky, making it a vibrant celebration that bridges Kitakyushu's steelmaking heritage with the energy of the present day.
- 2025 Date and time: November 8 (Sat) and 9 (Sun)
- Location: Higashida Boulevard Park area, Hachiman Higashi-ku, Kitakyushu City
- Official website: http://www.kigyosai.jp/2024/news/hold2025/
Held from November! Also pay attention to Fukuoka's winter illuminations
The area around Hakata Station—Fukuoka’s main transportation hub—and the nearby Tenjin district, just five minutes away by subway, are two of the city’s most popular and lively areas. Both are lined with underground shopping arcades, commercial complexes, hotels, and restaurants, and in winter, the entire area comes alive with beautiful seasonal illuminations.
Many illumination events begin in November, so be sure to check out the guide below to help you plan your visit and enjoy the winter lights.
Comments