Written by TC Team
Hiratsuka’s Tanabata Star Festival is the biggest in the Kantō region.
What happens?
The Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival is known for its grand decorations — some over 10 metres tall — featuring popular trends. With around 300 displays in the city centre, especially in Shonan Star Mall, the festival includes parades, contests, and appearances by the Shonan Hiratsuka Orihime.
This event attracts around 1.7 million visitors over the three days of the festival.
Officially, it is one of the “three great Tanabata Festivals in Kantō”. The other two (in Iruma and Mobara) are much smaller.
Schedule 2026
The parade starts at 10:30 a.m. on July 3.
The festival will end at 8:30 p.m. (7 p.m. on the last day). The stalls and booths at Mitsukedai Park will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (until 6:30 p.m. on the last day).
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.
