Osaka · City guide

What's on in Osaka.

Japan's kitchen and its loudest good time: Tenjin Matsuri on the river in July, summer fireworks, year-round street food, and the Expo City side of the bay. Osaka is also the natural base for day trips to Nara and Kobe.

Things to do in Osaka

On in Osaka

Nov32026

Midosuji Illumination 2026

Osaka, Osaka · Illuminations · Tue 03 Nov to Thu 31 Dec 2026

Osaka's Midosuji boulevard lights about 4 kilometres of ginkgo trees as a core programme of the Festival of the Lights in Osaka.

Confirmed dates

Nov202026

Osaka Castle Illuminage

Osaka, Osaka · Illuminations · Fri 20 Nov 2026 to Sun 14 Feb 2027

Osaka Castle's Nishinomaru Garden hosts an Illuminage of Sengoku-era light art themed on the unification of Japan.

Confirmed dates

Dec112026

OSAKA Hikari no Renaissance 2026

Osaka, Osaka · Illuminations · Fri 11 to Fri 25 Dec 2026

Nakanoshima's OSAKA Hikari no Renaissance fills the City Hall facade and park with light art for 15 days over Christmas.

Confirmed dates

Feb282027

Osaka Marathon 2027

Osaka, Osaka · Sport · Sun 28 Feb 2027

One of Japan's largest city marathons, finishing inside Osaka Castle Park.

Confirmed dates

Mar142027

Haru Grand Sumo Tournament 2027

Osaka, Osaka · Sport · Sun 14 to Sun 28 Mar 2027

The March grand sumo tournament: 15 days at EDION Arena Osaka.

Confirmed dates

Jul242027

Tenjin Matsuri

Osaka, Osaka · Festivals · Sat 24 to Sun 25 Jul 2027

Osaka's great summer festival at Osaka Tenmangu Shrine, with a river procession and fireworks on the evening of 25 July.

Confirmed dates

More in the prefecture: What's on in Osaka (4 more events).