Only events with an official source and a check date appear here, and only while the dates are still ahead. Open the source before you travel — organisers move things.
Archive photo · 2009 仙台七夕花火祭
5 August 2026
Aobayama Park area and the Hirose river
The 57th edition, around 16,000 shells. It is the evening before Tanabata proper, in a different part of the city and run by a different organisation, so plan it as its own outing rather than an add-on. Held in rain, cancelled in a storm.
Official photo · 2024 archive 仙台七夕まつり
6-8 August 2026
Sendai Station front, Chuo-dori and the Ichibancho arcades
Not a parade. Enormous paper streamers hang from the arcade ceilings and the event is walking underneath them, which means it works in rain. The official count was about 2.11 million people across three days in 2025, so early morning on the 6th is the calmest the decorations ever are.
Venue photo · not the 2026 night event 瑞鳳殿 幻想灯夜 七夕ナイト
6-8 August 2026
Zuihoden, Otamayashita
Date Masamune's mausoleum stays open until 20:30 for the three nights of Tanabata, lit by lanterns, with the main hall opened to view. A special Loople Sendai night bus runs to it every fifteen minutes between 17:15 and 21:00. It is the quiet half of Tanabata — the streamers downtown are shoulder to shoulder, and this is twenty minutes away up a hill.
Archive photo · 2009 定禅寺ストリートジャズフェスティバル
12-13 September 2026
Jozenji-dori, Kotodai Park, Nishi Park and the arcades
The 35th edition. Around forty stages a day spread across the city centre, held rain or shine. Most stages finish around 17:30 and a few run to 20:00. For scale, 2025 drew 734 groups and about 620,000 visitors.
Comparing transport for the dates you are here? Try the pass checker, and check the sources it lists before you act on the result.