Hokkaido winter festivals and snow events 2026–2027
The Sapporo Snow Festival, Otaru Snow Light Path, Chitose-Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival, Asahikawa Winter Festival and Sapporo's winter lights, with this season's dates in one place. The big festivals cluster in early February.
Where to stay
Events by date (7)
Hokkaido / Sapporo
Sapporo White Illumination
Fri, November 20, 2026 – Sun, March 14, 2027
Hokkaido / Sapporo
Munich Christmas Market in Sapporo
Fri, November 20, 2026 – Fri, December 25
Hokkaido / Hakodate
Hakodate Christmas Fantasy
Tue, December 1, 2026 – Fri, December 25
Hokkaido / Lake Shikotsu
Chitose-Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival
Sat, January 30, 2027 – Tue, February 23
Hokkaido / Sapporo
Sapporo Snow Festival
Thu, February 4, 2027 – Thu, February 11
Hokkaido / Otaru
Otaru Snow Light Path
Sat, February 6, 2027 – Sat, February 13
Entertainment
Hokkaido / Asahikawa
Asahikawa Winter Festival
Sat, February 6, 2027 – Thu, February 11
Good to know
- In early February the Sapporo, Otaru and Asahikawa festivals overlap and are easy to combine by JR train.
- Sapporo hotels fill up early for the Snow Festival, so book well ahead.
- Non-slip shoes, gloves and a hat are essential.
