Hirakata Chrysanthemum Show (Hirakata Chrysanthemum Festival)

Every autumn Hirakata holds its Chrysanthemum Festival, in which more than 2,000 pots of chrysanthemums and chrysanthemum dolls grown by residents brighten the area around Hirakata-shi Station and the old post-town highway. At its heart is the Hirakata Chrysanthemum Show, organised by the city's chrysanthemum show committee with the city as co-host and staged across several town-centre sites, chiefly Nippe Park Okahigashi-chuo about five minutes on foot from the station's south exit, along with Fureai-dori and the forecourt of the city hall. Entries fall into seven divisions: the general class, a beginners' class for graduates of the city's growing course, school, pupil and kindergarten classes, and special and cooperating exhibits, so veteran growers' large blooms stand along the same street as small-flowered plants raised by children. The fiscal 2026 show runs for 20 days from the opening ceremony at 9:00 on 28 October until 16:30 on 16 November, with some entries replaced on 7 November and judging on the morning of 9 November. Because the displays occupy an open park and streets, they can be enjoyed casually on a stroll. In past years the civic chrysanthemum doll exhibition and the Hirakata-juku highway chrysanthemum fair have run at the same time, and details for 2026 will appear on the city's official pages.