In winter, Hokkaido is covered in a white canvas of snow, and romantic illuminations and light-up events are held all over the prefecture. Here are 20 illumination and light-up events that are perfect for family outings, dates, sightseeing, and Christmas season outings!

This is one of the iconic winter events in Sapporo. The area stretching from Sapporo Station to Odori Park and Susukino is decorated with colorful illuminations. Odori Park, along with the "Munich Christmas Market in Sapporo" held at the same time, creates an even more romantic atmosphere. In addition to the decorations, you can also enjoy sound and light displays at the Sapporo Station South Exit Square and Sapporo Kita 3-jo Square (Akapla) venue.

The Munich Christmas Market in Sapporo was launched as part of a friendship city partnership with Munich, Germany. Enjoy a variety of gourmet foods to get you in the Christmas spirit, including authentic German Christmas dishes, mulled wine, pretzels, and roasted almonds. A variety of Christmas items are also available, making it the perfect place to create Christmas memories or buy souvenirs.

A jumbo Christmas tree will be set up in the atrium of Sapporo Factory, a commercial facility where you can enjoy restaurants, movie theaters, shopping, and more. The tree is made of a large 15m tall Sakhalin fir brought from Hiroo-cho, home of Santa Land, and will be decorated with ornaments and colorful lights. It's also great because you can enjoy it while dining and shopping.

This event sees the base of Mount Hakodate illuminated with lights. The trees lining the Kaiko-dori Avenue, which connects Hakodate Station and the bay area, are decorated, as well as Hachimanzaka, a popular tourist spot in Hakodate. One of the most notable spots is Hachimanzaka, where you can look down directly on the illuminated Mashu Maru at the port. There are also many other events taking place at the same time within walking distance, so why not visit them all at the same time?

A huge Christmas tree floating on the sea is a major winter event in Hakodate. Every day at 6pm, fireworks are launched in conjunction with the tree's illuminations, further livening up the venue. Another highlight not to be missed is the "Premium Red Tree," where the tree is dyed red for a limited time. There are also soup bars from popular local restaurants with a local food theme, allowing you to forget the cold winter weather and have fun.

Goryokaku, one of Hakodate's most famous tourist spots, is lit up in a star shape. The highlight is the synergistic effect of the light reflected off the moat of Goryokaku and the illuminations. The appearance changes depending on the surrounding brightness, so it is recommended to compare the view just after sunset and at night. You can enjoy a stroll around Goryokaku Park, and the view looking down from Goryokaku Tower is breathtaking.

Otaru Canal, a famous tourist spot in Otaru, is illuminated in blue. The best time to visit is during the blue hour, when the sky turns a deep blue after sunset. The combination of the illuminations and the blue sky creates an even more magical atmosphere. You can enjoy the canal from a canal cruise, or take a stroll.

The courtyard of the sweets theme park "Shiroi Koibito Park" will be enveloped in dazzling lights. This is an experiential illumination event, featuring colorful lit flowers that even have a pleasant scent, a tree that changes color when you touch it, and a heart-shaped arch that can be used to hold a lock of love with a loved one. During the event, there will also be illumination-exclusive sweets on sale.

The "Machiakari Illumination," which was held every year in Asahikawa, has been renamed to "Yukinowa Asahikawa - A Town Connected by Snow and Light" to mark its 30th anniversary. Areas such as Kaimo Park, 7-jo Greenway, Joban-dori, and Showa-dori will be enveloped in white snow and warm light.

Hiroo Town is the only Santaland in Japan, recognized by Norway, the home of Santa Claus. Illuminations light up everywhere, and Hiroo Town is filled with a Christmas atmosphere. Omaruyama Forest Park, the main symbol of Santaland, is also engulfed in approximately 150,000 lights, and the tunnel of wooden lanterns leading to "Santa's House" is also a highlight.

The area around JR Nopporo Station will be lit up for a limited time. In addition to the brick sculpture at the north exit of Nopporo Station, which is lit all year round, the symbol tree at the north exit, the brick monument at the south exit, Hotel Reborn Nopporo, and Hachi-chome Plaza Noppo will be lit up with approximately 33,000 LED bulbs, creating a fantastical landscape.

This illumination event is held in Toyako Onsen, one of Hokkaido's leading hot spring resorts. A glittering tunnel is set up for a limited time in the bustling square in the center of the hot spring town. Colorful lights illuminate the approximately 70m tunnel, adding a romantic touch to the hot spring town.

The area in front of Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station, known as the Shinkansen station, is lit up. In addition to LED lights installed on the roadside trees, there will also be light tunnels, arches, and lantern-shaped lights. An object of "Zushii Hokki," the popular Hokuto City mascot, will also be installed, with its belly lit up in a cute, colorful way.

The Blue Pond in Biei, famous for its blue water surface, is lit up during the winter. Various lighting patterns are available, creating a fantastical world for about 10 minutes. After the water surface freezes and snow accumulates, the lighting program changes, allowing you to enjoy different atmospheres depending on the season.

This illumination event bathes the area in front of Ebetsu Station in a champagne gold hue. The large sycamore tree, the symbol of the station, is the centerpiece, and approximately 30,000 LEDs create a chic, gorgeous, and fantastical atmosphere.

The illuminations were created by villagers at a workshop held in advance and were then decorated by local residents. Large playground equipment in the rural park will be decorated, and a 50m-long tunnel of light will also be set up.

This illumination, held on the two-story Rainbow Bridge, which is rare nationwide, colors the night sky with a variety of illuminations shaped like triangular pyramids, Niagara Falls, reindeer, and Takinoue Town's symbolic character, Piccoro. The center is lit up to resemble moss phlox, allowing you to enjoy illuminations that are unique to Takinoue.

The roadside station is romantically decorated with colorful illuminations. The tree-shaped illuminations and gate-shaped lights are also romantically lit, making it a recommended spot for taking commemorative photos.

This illumination event brings warmth to Obihiro's winter. The symbolic tree at the Obihiro Station North Traffic Plaza, the "Haru Nire Tree," and the street trees are decorated with approximately 43,000 lights.

The illumination of the Trappist Avenue is a 400m long avenue leading to the main gate of the Trappist Monastery, a popular tourist spot in southern Hokkaido. You can enjoy a fantastic view in a quiet space that is a bit different from the bustling impression of the city.

*All information posted is current as of December 2025. *Event details may be subject to change or cancellation, so please check the official website in advance.