Things to Do in Sapporo December 2025: Events Guide, Christmas Markets, Illuminations & Winter Activities
Looking for the best things to do in Sapporo December 2025? Holiday lights, festive Christmas markets like the German Christmas Market, and winter cheer—December in Sapporo brings illuminations, Christmas events, fireworks, and cozy gatherings to celebrate the season in Hokkaido’s capital.
Planning ahead or catching up on fall festivals? Peek at Things to do in Sapporo November 2025 or browse the Hokkaigo Blog.
Upcoming Things to Do in Sapporo December 2025: Winter Events, Christmas Markets & Illuminations
German Christmas Market in Sapporo
November 21 (Fri.)–December 25 (Thu.)
Seasonal stalls, warm drinks, and live programs held alongside Sapporo White Illumination. Stalls sell stollen bread, mulled wine, and smoky grilled chicken, as well as cute Christmas ornaments and matryoshka dolls. The Gift of Snow, illuminated installation and the large advent calendar are popular photo spots. Don’t forget to take a photo with Santa Claus, who appears at the venue from time to time. Enjoy weekend stage performances with hot drinks and German foods.
Location: Odori Nishi 2-chome
Address: Chuo-ku, Sapporo
Sapporo White Illumination
From November 21 (Fri.) (end dates vary: Odori until Dec. 25; Ekimae-dori until Feb. 11, 2026; Minami 1-jo, Akapla & JR Ekimae Hiroba until Mar. 14, 2026)
Signature winter lights across central Sapporo. Lighting 4:30–10 p.m. (until midnight during Christmas period and at JR Sapporo Sta. Ekimae Hiroba). Feel the romantic mood from the picturesque views.
Location: Odori Park; Ekimae-dori; Minami 1-jo-dori; Akapla; JR Sapporo Sta. Ekimae Hiroba
Address: Chuo-ku & Kita-ku, Sapporo
Learn MoreSapporo Okurayama Winter Fireworks
December 6 (Sat.)
Enjoy the beautiful fireworks against the night view of Sapporo. Hours: opens at 4 p.m., fireworks start at 7 p.m. Tickets: ÂĄ4,000/seat. Access: take the round-trip shuttle bus (ÂĄ1,000) from Maruyama Bus Terminal (Tozai Line).
Location: Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium
Address: Chuo-ku, Miyanomori 1274, Sapporo
Learn MoreSapporo Santa Fun
December 7 (Sun.)
Dress up as a Santa and join this charity walk for children coping with illness. All donations will be used to buy Christmas presents for the children. Bring your own Santa Claus costume. Adm.: free. Reservation deadline: Dec. 2 (Tue.). Meeting place: Hokkai Temple.
Location: Hokkai Temple
Address: Chuo-ku, Minami 3, Higashi 4, Sapporo
Learn MoreChristmas Music Festival for Everyone
December 21 (Sun.)
The Christmas Music Festival for Everyone will be held at Es Con Field Hokkaido. Enjoy the performances on six stages that everyone from elementary schoolers to adults can enjoy. In the finale, about 1,000 fireworks will be set off. Adm.: ÂĄ2,000 - ÂĄ6,000.
Location: Es Con Field Hokkaido
Address: Kita Hiroshima-shi, F Village 1
Learn MoreChinsuru Restaurant (Food You Heat and Eat)
Until December 15 (Mon.)
For the first time at Sapporo Factory, the Chinsuru Restaurant all-you-can-eat event being held. Choose from 200 frozen foods and ice creams. Microwave your food and eat it. It’s all you can eat in 90 minutes. Online reservations are required. Choose the date and time slot. Adm: ¥2,000 for jr. high and over. ¥1,000 for elem. schoolers. Free for preschoolers. Drinks not included.
Location: Sapporo Factory Hall
Address: Chuo-ku, Kita 2, Higashi 3, Sapporo
Meet Santa Claus at Shiroi Koibito Park
December 13 (Sat.)–14 (Sun.)
Meet Santa Claus at Shiroi Koibito Park on Dec. 13 (Sat.) and 14 (Sun.). Join the Minna no Santa event at the courtyard at 3:10 p.m. Santa will appear on the balcony of the Tudor House. The event is free and open to all. Illuminations will be held in the garden until Mar. 31 (Tue.), 2026. Access: a 7-min. walk from Miyanosawa Subway Sta. (Tozai Line).
Location: Shiroi Koibito Park
Address: Nishi-ku, Miyanosawa 2-2, Sapporo
Learn MoreTV Tower Night Walk
December 24 (Wed.)–25 (Thu.)
The 352 steps of the outdoor staircase leading to the TV tower's observation deck will be open to the public on Dec. 24 (Wed.) and 25 (Thu.), 5–10:30 p.m. If you’re lucky, you might even meet Santa Claus on your way up. Adm.: ¥1,000 for sr. high and over. ¥500 for jr. high and elem.
Location: Sapporo TV Tower
Address: Chuo-ku, Odori Nishi 1, Sapporo
Learn MoreChristmas Events at Sapporo Sewerage Science Center
December 21 (Sun.)
The Sapporo Sewerage Science Center will hold several Christmas events for families. There will be workshops for making a wreath and ornaments. A concert will start at 1:15 p.m. Collect the Snow Miku manhole stamps at a stamp rally. Some events require an application. Adm.: free. Access: a 15-min. walk from Asabu Subway Sta. (Namboku Line).
Location: Sapporo Sewerage Science Center
Address: Kita-ku, Asabu-cho 8-chome, Sapporo
Learn MoreFlea Market at Sun Plaza 1F Hall
December 14 (Sun.)
Indoor community flea market at Sun Plaza.
Location: Sun Plaza 1F Hall
Address: Kita-ku, Kita 24, Nishi 5, Sapporo
Zakkuri Ichiba at Chikaho
December 4 (Thu.)
Sales of handmade goods.
Location: Sapporo Ekimae-dori Underground Walkway
Address: Chuo-ku, Sapporo
Manpuku Marche at Chikaho
December 8 (Mon.), 11 (Thu.), 12 (Fri.), 15 (Mon.), 22 (Mon.)
Sales of handmade goods, sweets, clothing, etc.
Location: Underground Walkway Kita 3-jo Square (Chikaho)
Address: Chuo-ku, Sapporo
Smile Bouquet at Chikaho
December 16 (Tue.), 24 (Wed.)
Sales of kimono, handmade goods, cosmetics, etc.
Location: Chikaho
Address: Chuo-ku, Sapporo
Remake Kobo Miyabi at Chikaho
December 24 (Wed.)
Sales of clothes, handbags, accessories made from used kimonos.
Location: Chikaho
Address: Chuo-ku, Sapporo
Online Seminar on Inheritance for Foreign Residents
December 13 (Sat.)
Inheritance is an important matter that can become a concern for anyone. A lawyer and a tax accountant will provide an easy-to-understand explanation of inheritance for foreign residents in Japan. The seminar will be held online via Zoom (in Japanese with English translation). Reservations are required.
Location: Online (Zoom)
Address:
Free Professional Consultation for Foreign Residents
December 13 (Sat.)
Lawyers, administrative procedure specialists and tax accountants advise on resident status, legal issues, and taxes and so on. Reservations are required. English and Chinese interpretation available. Telephone interpretation is also available in other languages. Online consultations via Zoom are also accepted. Venue: SICPF.
Location: Sapporo International Communication Plaza Foundation (SICPF)
Address: Chuo-ku, Kita 1, Nishi 3, MN Bldg. 3F, Sapporo
Nihongo de Hanaso! Perapera Wednesday
Every Wednesday in December (3, 10, 17)
SICPF hosts free chat sessions for foreign nationals who would like to practice speaking Japanese with volunteers. A themed talk is held on the last session every month. All levels of Japanese learners are welcome. No reservation needed. Adm.: free. Closed: Dec. 24, 31.
Location: Sapporo International Communication Plaza Foundation (SICPF)
Address: Chuo-ku, Kita 1, Nishi 3, MN Bldg. 3F, Sapporo
Learn MoreSnow Miku Streetcar
November 15 (Sat.)–March 22 (Sun.) 2026
The “Snow Miku” streetcar, decorated according to the theme of “happy patisserie,” will be making runs from Nov. 15 (Sat.) to Mar. 22 (Sun.), 2026. This festive tram, part of the Snow Miku 2026 collaboration, features special in-car posters and voice announcements by Saki Fujita, who voices Hatsune Miku. Streetcar fare: ¥230 for jr. high and over. ¥120 for elem. schoolers.
Location: Sapporo Streetcar
Address: Sapporo
Learn MoreReady for more winter magic? Our Things to do in Sapporo January 2026 guide is coming up next—keep exploring Sapporo events and activities!