The festival in Shinjō, and in particular their use of floats called yatai (屋台), is thought to have been initiated in 1756 in the midst of a famine during the Hōreki era.

The floats appearing in the festival are thought to have been initially influenced by the Gion Matsuri, but have since focused on themes related to kabuki, legendary animals, and elaborate scenes in nature.

Floats will parade through the city while being accompanied by performers who play flutes, cymbals, taiko, and shamisen on a set repertoire of four pieces.

Generally, floats include life-size versions of famous kabuki performers, animals, and historical figures that are depicted in nature such as on mountains or rivers.

[1][3] One performance specific to the Shinjō Matsuri is the shishi-odori (鹿子踊り), a local dance that features men wearing deer-like hoods.