The Halloween events in Kitamachi, Saitama City, have grown in strength and numbers over the years. When I first wrote this post back in 2016 most of the Halloween events were in Stellar Town. But over the last few years the celebration has expanded and other locations now also participate. However, after last year’s Kitamachi 20th anniversary Halloween bonanza, 2026 does feel a little light in comparison. But there is still plenty to enjoy.
Halloween Kitamachi Saitama City
The Kitamachi, Saitama City, Halloween will be celebrated on Halloween weekend, Saturday October 31st and Sunday November 1st. But Stellar Town will also events in the lead up to the main weekend. Such as a SDGS Halloween costume making event, on Saturday October 17th and Sunday October 18th 2026. It is free to participate, but it is limited to the first 50 elementary school aged children (or younger) each day. (Must be accompanied by a parent). Participants choose used clothing from a special area in Book Off and then decorate it to create a unique Halloween costume.
Main weekend, 10/31 & 11/1
Kids Costume Parade
The popular Costumed Kids Parade returns, but this year they will only be parading on one day (not two like last year), that is Sunday, 1st November. There will be two parades, starting at 1 pm and 2:30 pm, and participation is free. Children in costume who are elementary school age or younger can take part after collecting a participation ticket from 10 am at Stellar Town’s Mellowpe Plaza. The parade route includes fun Halloween-themed missions, and the first 100 costumed children in each parade will receive sweets at the finish. Children who miss out on a ticket can still join the parade, although they will not be eligible for the sweets giveaway.
Kitamachi Halloween Show
The Kitamachi Halloween Show will be held on both days from 2 pm. Saturday’s programme includes children’s dance performances and a chorus, followed by the illumination lighting ceremony. Sunday’s show features children’s dance performances, the Wizard Saxophone Quartet, and a finale dance that everyone can join.
Halloween Rally and Lottery
The Halloween Rally takes place across the Kitamachi area on both days of the event. Participants can collect stamps at rally points around the neighborhood before heading to the goal area at the Ito Yokado West Gate entrance, where completed cards can be exchanged for entry into the grand prize draw. In addition, from 24th October to 3rd November, visitors can take their completed rally sheet to participating shops and receive special offers and perks. The available benefits vary by shop.
Games and Workshops
Various activities will be held around the Kitamachi area from 11 am to 4 pm on both days. Some of the featured activities include:
- Halloween Lantern Workshop (31st October only, ¥1,000)
- Halloween Ghost Balloon Workshop (1st November only, free)
- FootGolf Challenge (both days)
- Grip Strength Test (both days)
- Halloween Bath Bomb Workshop (both days)
Every year around Halloween you can also enjoy an Halloween Afternoon Tea in Kita Ward, very near both of the locations in this post. More information here.
Illumination Lighting Ceremony
New for 2026, Kitamachi Halloween will also mark the start of the area’s winter illumination season. An Illumination Lighting Ceremony will be held at Stellar Town’s Mellowpe Plaza from around 4:15 pm on Saturday, 31st October. More information about the illumination.
Event Details
Event: Northern Heart Kitamachi Happy Halloween 2026 & Illumination
Dates: Pre event on Saturday October 17th and Sunday October 18th, main event Saturday October 31st and November 1st. Parade on November 1st. The new illumination will be turned on October 31st.
Time: outlined by event above, generally between 10 am and 4 pm. Illumination switch on event from around 4.15 pm on the 31st.
Cost: there is no admission fee and most of the individual events are free!
Venue: there are two main venues ~ Stellar Town and Kitamachi Shimashima Park. (Both are linked to the location on Google Maps).
>>Find even more Halloween events in Saitama.<<
Access Stellar Town
By Public Transport: You can get a free shuttle bus from JR Utsunomiya Line’s Toro Station. It takes about 5 minutes. There are up to 3 buses an hour during business hours. On foot it takes about 12 minutes from Toro station. It is about 7 minutes walk from Kamonomiya station on the New Shuttle Line. You can get public JR buses from Omiya Station’s east exit and Ageo Station’s east exit to Stellar Town. By Car: Stellar Town is on route 164. There is parking for 2,300 cars. Phone number for the car navi: 048-660-5200
Editor’s note: this post was temporarily removed from the site between 2020 and 2022 due to the pandemic. They did have some Halloween events in 2022, but they were quite small so I waited until 2023 to republish the post.