Oct 1
~
Oct 31

Kawasaki Halloween 2020

Free

The most famous Halloween parade in all of Japan is the Kawasaki Halloween Parade. The 24th edition of the festivities will take place online in 2020, making it a world-wide event. This year’s theme is “Cyberspace Costumes”.

Note: Photos are from past years’ in-person events.

Photo by Kawasaki Halloween

How to participate in the costume contest

Participants from around the world are welcomed to make a video (30 seconds or less), either by themselves or in a group, dressed up in any costume. Then, post the video on social media (TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, etc.) with the hashtags: #oneworldhalloween and #kawahallo2020. On the official site, participants must also complete the entry form and upload the video.

To be entered in the costume contest, videos must be submitted from Thursday, October 1st to Saturday, October 25th until 23:59 JST.

Photo by Kawasaki Halloween

Awards and prizes

Judges will bestow the event’s famed “Halloween Award” scoring on originality, quality and enjoyment.

The grand prize winner will receive is ¥500,000, among other smaller prizes. There will also be prizes for the runners-up.

Results will be broadcast live on October 31st on the official site.

Kawasaki Halloween 2020 is a truly international event and participants around the world are encouraged to join in on the fun!

Photo by Kawasaki Halloween

Virtual Halloween Parade Surprise

In past years, KawaHallo’s main event is the Halloween Parade, which sees 2,000 participants and about 120,000 spectators along the route. Organizers are touting this year’s virtual parade as even better than the real thing, with a mysterious special surprise. But you’ll have to tune in on October 31st to find out more!

Photo by Kawasaki Halloween

<!–Participants in fun and creative costumes will parade along the 1.5 km course in the vicinity of JR Kawasaki Station and the nearby La Citadella shopping center. Around 120,000 spectators are expected.

Participating in the parade + ticket info

Watching the parade is free, although you can get a ticket for prime spectator seating for ¥3,000.

Photo by Kawasaki Halloween

If you want to take part in the parade yourself, there is a cost of ¥1,000 per person. To join, you must be at least high-school age or above, and wear a costume. You can buy tickets online. Organizers are accepting a maximum of 2,000 participants to the main parade—so get your tickets before they run out.

Following the parade, there will be an award ceremony (with a ¥500,000 grand prize for best costume!), and an afterparty DJ cruise that goes from 6 pm to 8 pm (¥6,000, drinks and snacks included). You must be 20 or older to join the cruise.

Photo by Kawasaki Halloween

In case you have any questions, contact the venue at: halloween@citta-ent.co.jp (but note that you cannot purchase tickets directly from the venue).

Other events

The kids’ “runway” event takes place the day before (Oct 26) at 11 am, 12:15 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:45 pm and 4 pm. Entry is ¥500/group (child + max. 2 guardians).

Photo by Kawasaki Halloween

Movie screenings (The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Hellraiser, and others) will also take place on October 26th. Advance tickets are ¥1,500 and on-the-day tickets are ¥2,000

For a full list of events, check out our Tokyo Cheapo Guide to Halloween 2021.

From 2021 onwards, the organizers decided to stop organizing the event. Ostensibly it’s because of the “bad press” halloween has been getting in Japan but it’s just as likely that uncertainty around COVID-19 has made it difficult to run.

Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.

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