Latest Events in Sapporo(August Updated)

The 2025 Sapporo China Festival Executive Committee will hold the two-day "2025 Sapporo China Festival" at Akapla, Kita 3-jo Square, Sapporo City, on August 23 (Saturday) and 24 (Sunday), 2025. The event aims to deepen mutual understanding and exchanges between Japan and China through Chinese food, culture, music, etc. The number of participants has increased year by year, and this year is the fourth time. It has become a platform for various cultural exchanges through "culture", "economic and trade tourism", "youth exchange", "food and souvenirs", etc., and is committed to becoming a cornerstone for promoting regional economic and cultural exchanges.

The "Sapporo Autumn Harvest Festival" held in Sapporo Odori Park is held for the 12th time this year. This event is held with the theme of "Gourmet Food in Sapporo, Hokkaido" and in cooperation with cities, towns, and private businesses in Hokkaido. By gathering seasonal ingredients and local delicacies from all over Hokkaido, it plays the role of a direct sales store for "gourmet" specialties from various regions in Hokkaido, and is held to contribute to the revitalization of the entire Hokkaido.

The city of Sapporo in Hokkaido will host a new fireworks display that will see around 18,000 fireworks added to the autumn night sky. With the Sapporo Dome as the venue, the latest digital technology controls ignition within one hundredth of a second, creating a fireworks display that is perfectly synchronized to music.

The Susukino Festival, which adds color to the summer in Susukino, attracts many tourists every year. Traditional events include a portable shrine procession and taiko drum performances. Various performances such as Yosakoi Soran Odori and stage dances are held. During the event, the roadside is transformed into a pedestrian zone every night, with about 100 food stalls selling yakitori, fried noodles and other dishes.

At the Sapporo Chrysanthemum Festival, with the Sapporo Station underground pedestrian space (Chi-Ka-ho) as the main venue, a large number of carefully cultivated chrysanthemums are exhibited and compete for the size and beauty of the chrysanthemums. At the Aurora Plaza in the Aurora Town underground shopping mall in Sapporo, we will set up a comprehensive chrysanthemum bed "Aurora Flower Bed" made of various types of chrysanthemums such as dome chrysanthemums and spray chrysanthemums. In addition, at the Kita-Kita Sapporo Building, a special exhibition of chrysanthemums and an exhibition of cultural works with the theme of "flowers" will be held.

The "Sapporo Art Stage" that adds color to the autumn of creative city Sapporo has finally opened. Since 2005, the Art Stage has provided an "entrance to art" and has allowed many citizens to participate in various art fields such as music, art, and drama. This year marks its 20th anniversary. This year, the "Sapporo Art Stage" will be held in both the underground pedestrian space (Chi-Ka- Ho) in front of the station and the Sapporo Culture and Art Exchange Center (SCARTS). In terms of music, there is the "Sapporo Music Exhibition" where you can learn about the latest developments of artists active mainly in Sapporo, and the "Sapporo School Music Festival" where students from elementary, middle, and high schools participate. Junior high school students in Sapporo will perform, and in the art category, there are "College Student Art Contest", "Borderless Art", and "Think School Project", where you can directly witness the artistic creation process of high school students, "SCHOOL" "ART LIVE", and "Kids Art Fest", a workshop for children, and the drama department will also hold various art events such as "Art Festival". "TGR Sapporo Theater Festival" and "Hokkaido Junior High School Drama Performance Competition" with participation of many theater groups. In addition, in addition to previous events, a dance section will be added so that you can enjoy fresh performances of "Kids Dance Revolution". In addition, as a special 20th anniversary project, we will also hold "Commemorative Workshop & Exhibition" and "MUJI Sapporo Parco KIDS ART FES" to expand the art circle. Building on the achievements of the past 20 years, our goal is to create even fresher art. Please look forward to the moving emotions and wonderful encounters that can only be found on the art stage.

"Sapporo Factory" is a commercial facility that integrates restaurants, cinemas, hotels, etc. For about two months starting from November, a giant Christmas tree made of Sakhalin fir appears in the high-ceiling atrium. It was transported from Hiroo Town in Tokachi and has become a winter landscape in Sapporo. The Christmas tree lights up from 4 pm to 10 pm, and the colorful decorations and lights are dazzling. Every hour, there will be a 5-minute music and light show. People enjoy food in the restaurant while watching the Christmas tree. The tall Santa Claus climbs the chimney of the former Sapporo Kaitakushi Beer Brewery located in the commercial facility. This interesting scene is also not to be missed.

The Sapporo White Illumination is Japan's first illumination event, which began in 1981 (Showa 56), adding color to Sapporo in winter. At the Odori venue, symbolic objects of various sizes will sparkle like light art. At the Ekimaedori venue, the Minami-ichi-dori venue, and the Sapporo Kitasanjo Square (Akapla) venue, standing trees are decorated with light bulbs, lighting up the city. A sound and light show will be held at the Sapporo Station South Exit Square venue.

Month-long German-style Christmas market November 22 - December 25, 2024 Sapporo has been hosting Christmas light displays since 2002, when it marked the 30th anniversary of the sister city relationship between Sapporo and Munich, Germany. Stalls selling Christmas goods, mulled wine, and German food are set up in Odori Park for about a month. There are also commemorative mugs for sale with designs that change every year. There are also outdoor concerts, indoor workshops, and if you're lucky, you might even receive a present from Santa Claus! There are tents with seating near the food stalls, so you don't have to worry about snow. From late November, the Sapporo White Lights will also begin in Odori Park, adding to the Christmas spirit.

"Yukitoro" is a fantastic light event that adds color to the winter season. With the snow valley and Jozankei Shrine as the backdrop, "Yukitoro" creates a fantastic space that can only be enjoyed in a calm atmosphere. Walking through the snow candle area, you will find a mysterious forest called "Prayer Forest" where light and images blend with nature. Experience the worldview of Jozankei Natural Illumination, whose theme is illumination created with nature, even in winter.

The Sapporo Lilac Festival began in 1959 at the initiative of a cultural figure. In 1960, lilacs were chosen as the city tree of Sapporo and became a familiar symbol to citizens. Today, this festival has become a representative spring event in early summer in Sapporo. Odori Park, Sapporo, Hokkaido Venue: Odori Nishi 5-chome ~ Nishi 7-chome (to be determined) Kawashita Park Venue: 2651-3, Kawashita, Shiroishi-ku Kawashita Park At the Odori venue, about 400 lilacs are in bloom, and events such as a music festival, a wine garden, and a stamp rally are held. The Kawashita venue has a variety of events such as lilac tours and concerts. For the citizens of Sapporo, this festival marks the end of the long winter and the beginning of the outdoor activity season.