May 19 〜 May 30
The Sapporo Lilac Festival began in 1959 and the lilac tree was designated the official tree of city the following year. Today the purple blossoms signal the first signs of summer for those living in Sapporo with over 400 trees coming into bloom along Odori Park. This is the main venue for the festival, but there is also a second event in Kawashimo Park which opens the weekend after the main festival.
