The Tokamachi Snow Festival is a long-standing winter event held in Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture. Each year, public squares and streets are transformed with snow sculptures and snow-built stages created by local residents, schools, and community groups. These works turn the city into a large open-air gallery that highlights the creativity and culture of Japan’s snow country.
Many editions of the festival feature snow-play areas, food stalls, stage performances, and illuminated snow installations. Visitors often travel between venues using trains or shuttle buses, allowing them to explore multiple snow sculpture sites and event spaces throughout the city.
Nighttime programs frequently include light-ups and snowfield fireworks, creating a magical winter atmosphere. For the 2026 edition, snow sculptures, snow-play areas, food booths, stage events, the Snow Art Exhibition, and snowfield fireworks—known as Niji-Yuki Hanabi—are planned. Fireworks are scheduled to be launched along the Shinano River near the city center at 7:00 p.m. on February 21, accompanied by food service and stage entertainment.
