November in Hokkaido is the time when the seasons change from autumn to winter. Winter illuminations herald the arrival of winter, gourmet events where you can enjoy seasonal flavors, and art events that conclude the autumn season of art are all held. This time, we've carefully selected 10 noteworthy events to be held across Hokkaido. Why not head out and experience the onset of winter?

This annual event brings color to Sapporo's winter. The Christmas market, which takes place in Odori Park Nishi 2-chome for about a month only, features authentic German Christmas food such as mulled wine and sausages, as well as original Christmas items such as mugs. The venue is drenched in illuminations, creating a romantic atmosphere that complements the snowy scenery.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of this winter tradition in Sapporo. Five venues, including Odori Park, Ekimae-dori, and Akapla, will be enveloped in a mystical light. At the Odori venue, light objects with different motifs, such as snowflakes, stars, wings, and lilacs, will shine, while at the Minami Ichijo-dori venue and Kita Sanjo Square, trees will be illuminated, and you can enjoy a sound and light performance at the Sapporo Station South Exit Square. Together with the "Munich Christmas Market in Sapporo" held at the same time, this will add a touch of color to Sapporo's winter.

Sapporo Factory's Jumbo Christmas Tree signals the start of winter in Sapporo. The 15-meter-tall Japanese Sakhalin fir tree stands tall in the atrium, adorned with colorful illuminations and brightly colored ornaments. At the lighting ceremony held on November 1st, children press the switch in time with the countdown, kicking off Sapporo Factory's Christmas season. During the period, you can enjoy a fantastical show of light and music every hour every day.

This annual autumn event allows you to fully enjoy Akkeshi's famous oysters. Fresh seafood such as oysters, clams, scallops, surf clams, and saury is lined up, and the barbecue corner, where you can grill and eat the food you purchase on the spot, is also popular. In addition, there are also experience events unique to Akkeshi, such as oyster catching and clam catching for elementary school students and younger, which are held every year.

This animation-focused film festival, held at an airport, has garnered attention. The theater venue will host screenings of competition titles, talks by distinguished guests, and special programs every day. Fans will be sure to enjoy a variety of must-see events, including a special feature on Studio MADHOUSE and screenings and talks by Academy Award-winning director Gints Zilbalodis. Also, the "New Chitose Anime Park" will be held in the "Portom Hall" on the second floor of the international terminal. Enjoy a variety of events, including family-friendly screenings, anime production experiences, talks by popular voice actors, and the "Airport Concert" live music event.

The Asahikawa Machi Akari Illumination, a beloved winter illumination event in Asahikawa, will be held with a new name. Based on the new concept of "Asahikawa's pride and future captivated by light," the snow-covered cityscape will be fantastically illuminated with various lights in various areas, including in front of the station. The new name will be announced at the lighting ceremony on November 22nd.

This gourmet event brings together the delicious autumn foods of Otaru and Yoichi. There will be 16 stalls offering gourmet food and drinks made with local ingredients, as well as limited-edition specialties such as Chef Shimokuni's "Hirugai Curry" and "Otaru Mantis Shrimp Soup" made by Hama no Haha. The venue is packed with events for everyone to enjoy, including live jazz, a world apple peeling championship, and a festival corner.

This annual autumn art event sees the entire center of Sapporo transformed into a sea of art. Over the course of a month, a wide variety of art genres, including theater, music, and fine arts, are displayed throughout the city. There are plenty of highlights to see, including the Sapporo Theater Festival, where over 20 groups perform original works, Art Street, which transforms the underground pedestrian space into a gallery, and the Sapporo Music Showcase, where local musicians perform live.

This gourmet event is being held at Fujimaru Park, which opened in Obihiro City in July this year and brings together food and products from all over Tokachi. Limited to three groups per day, you can enjoy authentic motsunabe (offal hotpot) made with tender offal from Tokachi-grown Kuroge Wagyu beef and local vegetables. Spending time together with family and friends over a warm hotpot under the cold autumn sky is something special. Another attraction is the ability to combine it with side dishes, alcohol, and desserts from the Fujimaru Shop.

A gourmet event where you can eat, drink, walk, and enjoy the city of Abashiri. Each restaurant in the city will offer a set of original snacks served on a scallop plate and one drink. A set of three tickets will allow you to enjoy visiting multiple restaurants. Ticket purchasers will also receive an original tenugui towel as a gift. Why not relax and enjoy the autumn nights of Abashiri while savoring dishes and drinks made with local Abashiri ingredients?

*All information is current as of the time of publication in October 2025. *All published information may be subject to change, so please check the official website for details.