Ematsuri: The Free Manga and Japanese Culture Festival in Val d'Oise

In the Val d'Oise, the Ematsuri Festival makes its comeback for a second edition on March 7 and 8, 2026. This free weekend offers a charming celebration dedicated to manga and Japanese culture, featuring nearly 50 vendors, food trucks, cosplay contests, culinary workshops, and many other activities all with free access in Beaumont-sur-Oise. The town transforms into a mini matsuri, capturing the festive spirit of Japanese traditions right outside Paris!

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The workshops are free, but don't forget to register in advance to secure your spot—either by emailing prog.culture@beaumontsuroise.fr or in person at the Info Point. Keep in mind that availability will be more limited on-site. In addition to the various workshops, you can enjoy karaoke, quizzes, a blind test, and Just Dance competitions all day long with the Cos & Play association—plus, explore retro gaming at the media library, featuring vintage video games and pinball machines.

All weekend long, dive into the ASOBI game: a puzzle trail weaving through the various stands! For those with a sweet tooth, three food trucks are on hand to satisfy any craving, big or small, offering a variety of delicious treats: ramen, yakitori, yakisoba, katsu curry, gyoza, onigiri, donburi, poke bowls, omurice, melon pan, and traditional beverages...

Festival Schedule

March 7

• 10:00 AM: Opening of the convention with a Dragon Dance performance by the association L’école du Dragon Tam
• 11:30 AM - 12:10 PM: Manga Workshop "Draw Your Own Manga Character" led by Olha
• 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM: Lecture on "Kokeshi" by Cécile Levraud
• 2:40 PM - 3:00 PM, 3:40 PM - 4:00 PM, 4:40 PM - 5:00 PM: Cooking Workshops hosted by the Aoï Workshop
• 3:00 PM - 3:40 PM & 4:00 PM - 4:40 PM: Manga Workshop "Draw a Manga Panel" with Olha
• 5:00 PM - 5:30 PM: Sake Tasting – For adults only
• 5:00 PM: Cosplay Parade organized by the Cos & Play association

March 8th

• 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM: Japanese Cooking Workshop with Aoï Workshop
• 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM & 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM: Kamishibaï storytelling session with Vurore
• 1:30 PM - 2:10 PM: Manga Drawing Workshop — "Create Your Own Manga Character" with Olha
• 2:10 PM - 2:30 PM, 3:10 PM - 3:30 PM, 4:10 PM - 4:30 PM: Cooking workshop with Aoï Workshop
• 2:30 PM - 3:10 PM & 3:30 PM - 4:10 PM: Manga drawing session — "Draw a Manga Page" with Olha
• 5:00 PM - 5:30 PM: Sake Tasting Experience — Adults Only
• 5:00 PM: Cosplay Contest organized by the Cos & Play Association