The Chichibu Yomatsuri, or Night Festival, is considered one of Japan’s three great parade festivals, alongside the July Gion Matsuri in Kyoto and the Takayama Matsuri held in Takayama in spring and autumn. At the beginning of December, massive floats covered in lanterns are pulled through the streets, culminating in an hours-long fireworks display after the floats ascend to the city plaza.