Researched guide · Checked on Oct 19, 2026
Tokyo in winter is full of light. From early November, streets, parks and shopping complexes switch on huge illuminations, and Christmas markets open around the city. Here are the events with confirmed 2026 dates, plus a few things that make Christmas in Japan a little different.
Quick answer
Confirmed for 2026: Roppongi Hills Keyakizaka Illumination (from November 5), Marunouchi Illumination (from November 12), Yoyogi Forest of Lights (from November 13), Tokyo Dome City (from November 19), Tokyo Christmas Market in Shin-Toyosu (from November 20) and Shiba Park (from December 4), Midtown Christmas (from November 26), Ebisu Garden Place (from November 14) and Omotesando (from December 1).
Free or paid? Street and shopping-complex illuminations are free to see. Yoyogi Forest of Lights needs a ticket, and the Tokyo Christmas Market charges entry.
See every date: our Tokyo events calendar lists what’s on each day.
Winter illuminations with 2026 dates
Roppongi Hills Keyakizaka Illumination
About 400 m of trees along Keyakizaka-dori are lit up for Roppongi Hills Christmas, with Tokyo Tower at the end of the street.
| Dates | November 5 – December 25, 2026 |
| Where | Roppongi Hills, Keyakizaka-dori (Roppongi Station) |
| Cost | Free |
Midtown Christmas
Tokyo Midtown’s lawn turns into a light show with floating soap bubbles, next to a large real fir Christmas tree. The Light Walkway stays lit until February 23, 2027.
| Dates | November 26 – December 25, 2026 |
| Hours | 17:00–23:00 |
| Where | Tokyo Midtown, Midtown Garden (Roppongi Station) |
Marunouchi Illumination
About 1.2 km of trees along Marunouchi Naka-dori, the street between Tokyo Station and Yurakucho, are lit in champagne gold. Until December 25, the area also has Harry Potter-themed decorations for MARUNOUCHI BRIGHT HOLIDAY.
| Dates | November 12, 2026 – February 14, 2027 |
| Where | Marunouchi Naka-dori (Tokyo Station) |
| Cost | Free |
Tokyo Dome City: TOKYO SNOW DOME CITY
Over a million lights across the Tokyo Dome City complex, with a giant light-up snow dome.
| Dates | November 19, 2026 – February 28, 2027 |
| Hours | 17:00–24:00 (may change) |
| Where | Tokyo Dome City (Suidobashi and Korakuen stations) |
| Cost | Free |
Yoyogi Forest of Lights
A 1.8 km walk through the woods of Yoyogi Park, with lights and sound that react to visitors. Tickets are sold by date, so book ahead for weekends and Christmas week.
| Dates | November 13, 2026 – January 11, 2027 |
| Hours | 17:30–22:00 (last entry 21:00) |
| Where | Yoyogi Park, cycling course area (Harajuku Station) |
| Cost | Adults from ¥2,400 (early-bird price for November 13–30); more on other dates |
Ebisu Garden Place: the Baccarat chandelier
The giant Baccarat chandelier, with 250 lights, is the highlight here. About 100,000 lights and a 10 m Christmas tree fill the rest of Ebisu Garden Place.
| Chandelier | November 14, 2026 – January 11, 2027, 11:00–23:00 |
| Illumination | November 14, 2026 – February 28, 2027, 16:00–23:00 |
| Christmas tree | November 14 – December 25, 2026, 16:00–23:00 |
| First day | Lights come on at 17:00 on November 14 |
| Where | Ebisu Garden Place (Ebisu Station) |
Omotesando Illumination
About 1 km of zelkova trees along Omotesando light up in December. It starts later than most illuminations, so check your dates.
| Dates | December 1 – 27, 2026. Low plants stay lit until January 5, 2027 |
| Hours | Sunset to 22:00 |
| Where | Omotesando (Omotesando and Harajuku stations) |
Tokyo Skytree Town: Dream Christmas
Tokyo Skytree Town is lit in gold on a “wishing upon a star” theme. Some of the lights stay on until February 28, 2027.
| Dates | November 5 – December 25, 2026 |
| Where | Tokyo Skytree Town (Tokyo Skytree and Oshiage stations) |
Christmas markets
The Tokyo Christmas Market is a German-style market with mulled wine, food stalls and Christmas goods. In 2026 it is held in two places.
| Venue | Dates | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Shin-Toyosu (near Shin-toyosu Station) | November 20 – December 25, 2026 | 11:00–21:30 (from 16:00 on November 20) |
| Shiba Park (Onarimon Station plaza) | December 4 – December 25, 2026 | 11:00–22:00 (from 16:00 on December 4) |
Entry to the Tokyo Christmas Market is charged. Advance tickets come with a souvenir mug. Check prices on the official site.
Free option: the Tokyo Tower Christmas Market runs from November 13 to December 25, 2026, 12:00–22:00 (from 16:00 on November 13), right below Tokyo Tower. Entry is free.
Christmas in Japan: what to expect
- Christmas is not a public holiday. December 24 and 25 are normal working days, so shops, restaurants and trains run as usual.
- A night for couples. Christmas Eve is a popular date night, and nice restaurants are often fully booked weeks ahead. Book early if you want a special dinner.
- Christmas food. Fried chicken and strawberry shortcake are popular Christmas foods in Japan. Many people order them in advance.
- The real holiday is New Year. Many shops, museums and restaurants close for a few days around January 1. Check opening days if you travel in late December or early January. See Winter in Tokyo.
Tips
- Illuminations are busiest from about 18:00 to 20:00 on weekends and on December 23–25. Go on a weekday, or later in the evening.
- It gets cold after dark. December evenings in Tokyo are often below 10°C. See Tokyo weather by month.
- Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown are about a 10-minute walk apart, so you can see both in one evening.
FAQ
When do Tokyo’s Christmas lights start?
Many start in early to mid-November. In 2026, Roppongi Hills starts on November 5, Marunouchi on November 12, Yoyogi Forest of Lights on November 13, Ebisu Garden Place on November 14, Tokyo Dome City on November 19, Midtown Christmas on November 26 and Omotesando on December 1.
Are Tokyo’s illuminations free?
Most street and shopping-complex illuminations are free. Some events, such as Yoyogi Forest of Lights, need a ticket.
When is the Omotesando illumination?
In 2026 it runs from December 1 to 27, from sunset to 22:00. Low plants stay lit until January 5, 2027.
Is Christmas a holiday in Japan?
No. December 25 is a normal working day. New Year (around January 1) is the main holiday, when many places close.
Where are Christmas markets in Tokyo?
In 2026, the Tokyo Christmas Market is held in Shin-Toyosu (from November 20) and Shiba Park (from December 4). The Tokyo Tower Christmas Market, which is free to enter, starts on November 13.
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Sources
Dates and hours come from the organizers’ official websites and press releases (checked October 19 and November 6, 2026). Plans can change, so please check before you go.
- Yoyogi Forest of Lights (official)
- Tokyo Christmas Market (official)
- Tokyo Midtown Management: MIDTOWN CHRISTMAS 2026 press release
- Mori Building: ROPPONGI HILLS CHRISTMAS 2026 press release
- Mitsubishi Estate: MARUNOUCHI BRIGHT HOLIDAY and Marunouchi Illumination 2026 press release
- Tokyo Dome City: TOKYO SNOW DOME CITY 2026 press release
- Ebisu Garden Place: Baccarat Eternal Lights (official, Japanese)
- Ebisu Garden Place: Illumination and Christmas Market (official, Japanese)
- Omotesando Dior Illumination 2026 (official, Japanese)
- Tokyo Skytree Town Dream Christmas 2026 (official)
- Tokyo Tower Christmas Market 2026 press release (Japanese)
