When traveling through Hokkaido in winter, “snow festival touring” surrounded by a world of snow and ice is an unmissable experience. The sparkling illuminations, mystical ice sculptures and snow candles, along with regionally distinctive events and cuisine enjoyed at various locations throughout winter, provide experiences that transcend ordinary sightseeing and deliver true inspiration.
However, many travelers wonder “which events should I attend?” or “I want to know information about timing and locations.” This article carefully selects eight recommended snow festivals representing Hokkaido’s winter, providing detailed explanations of each event’s duration, venues, highlights, and venue characteristics.
1. Snow Festival Touring in Winter Hokkaido
When visiting Hokkaido in winter, snow festival touring is definitely one of the events you’ll want to experience.Throughout Hokkaido, distinctive events themed around snow and ice are held, offering mystical landscapes, artistic snow sculptures, romantic candlelight, and other unique charms that vary by region.
From Sapporo’s urban-style events to the warm scenes of the seaside city of Otaru, and the ice falls of Sounkyo united with nature, it’s possible to tour multiple festivals in a single trip.A journey where you can enjoy city strolling and gourmet food during the day and be enveloped in the fantastical illuminated world at night will create special memories unique to winter Hokkaido.
2. Top 8 Winter Festivals in Hokkaido, Japan
Hokkaido’s winter is a season of mystical festivals adorned with snow and ice. Here we introduce eight carefully selected recommended winter festivals held throughout the prefecture. We’ll also provide detailed information about event schedules, venues, and other event details, so please use this as a reference when planning your Hokkaido travel itinerary.
2-1. Sapporo Snow Festival
The Sapporo Snow Festival began in 1950 when local middle and high school students built snow sculptures in Odori Park, and has now grown into a major winter event that attracts tourists from around the world.Currently held at three venues – “Odori,” “Tsudome,” and “Susukino” – each venue offers different ways to enjoy the festival.
At the Odori venue, giant snow and ice sculptures line up for approximately 1 kilometer, and at night, fantastic scenery unfolds through illumination. The International Snow Sculpture Contest allows visitors to watch overseas teams create their sculptures, providing an opportunity to experience the charm of different cultures. The Tsudome venue features abundant activities for children including slides, making it popular with families. At the Susukino venue, ice sculptures beautifully reflect the neon district, colorfully decorating Sapporo’s night.The Sapporo Snow Festival is a celebration packed with Hokkaido’s unique attractions, allowing visitors to enjoy the extraordinary world woven by snow and ice.
[Sapporo Snow Festival]
Dates: February 4 (Wed) – February 11 (Wed, Holiday), 2026
2-2. Sapporo White Illumination
Sapporo White Illumination began in 1981 as Japan’s first illumination event and is now beloved as a winter tradition in Sapporo.Colorful lights shine fantastically against the snow-covered cityscape, captivating visitors. At the Odori venue, artistic light objects line up, while at the Ekimae-dori venue, approximately 1.5 kilometers of tree-lined streets are gorgeously decorated with LEDs.
At the Minami-ichijo-dori venue, street trees shine like tunnels of light, and at Kita 3-jo Plaza (Akapla), the ginkgo tree-lined street against the backdrop of the red brick government building is wrapped in beautiful lighting. At Sapporo Station South Exit Plaza, sound and light synchronized performances create mystical spaces.The illuminations showing different expressions at each venue add warmth and excitement to Sapporo’s winter scenery.
[Sapporo White Illumination]
Dates: November 21 (Fri), 2025 – March 14 (Sat), 2026
2-3. Munich Christmas Market in Sapporo
Munich Christmas Market in Sapporo is a heartwarming event that colors Sapporo’s winter, started to commemorate the sister city partnership between Sapporo and Munich, Germany.The venue at Odori Park West 2-chome features food booths where you can enjoy authentic German flavors like mulled wine and sausages, further enhancing the Christmas spirit. Additionally, German music stages and performances, along with workshops that families can enjoy together, are held to bring smiles to visitors.
The market is packed with diverse Christmas goods including Santa dolls, ornaments, matryoshka dolls, and snow globes, making hearts dance just by looking.If you enjoy this together with the adjacent Sapporo White Illumination, you can fully experience the mystical moments unique to Sapporo’s winter.
[Munich Christmas Market in Sapporo]
Dates: November 21 (Fri) – December 25 (Thu), 2025
2-4. Otaru Snow Light Path
Otaru Snow Light Path is a heartwarming winter event that began as a handmade effort by citizens.Since its first celebration in 1999, it has gently illuminated the snow-covered city of Otaru with candlelight infused with feelings. Against the backdrop of Otaru’s unique historic scenery including along the canal and the former Temiya Line tracks, tens of thousands of snow candles and glass fishing floats flicker mystically.
These lights, protected by the power of citizens and volunteers, are not mere decorations but small messages reflecting each person’s prayers and wishes. This event, which values “warmth” over glamour, gently embraces visitors’ hearts.The time spent pausing to gaze at the lights becomes a quiet moment for self-reflection.
[Otaru Snow Light Path]
Dates: February 7 (Sat) – February 14 (Sat), 2026
2-5. Snow Topia Festival
くっちゃん雪トピアフェスティバルが開催されました。
— 中村裕之(衆議院議員・自民党･北海道4区) (@nakamurahiro3)February 19, 2024
陸上自衛隊制作の巨大すべり台やキッチンカーに囲まれたステージでは、多くのアトラクションが繰り広げられ、みなさん楽しまれていました。 #レイラと#コロンも気持ちよさそうにしてました🐶🐶#北海道 #倶知安町 #中村裕之 #中村ひろゆきpic.twitter.com/zvhlLUfk74
Snow Topia Festival, held in Kutchan Town, Hokkaido, is a major winter event unique to one of Japan’s premier heavy snowfall areas.In 2025, it was held for two days on February 15-16 at Central Park, featuring diverse programs enjoyable for everyone from children to adults, including snowman contests, snowmobile experiences, giant slides, treasure hunts in snow, and traditional games.
At night, “Scenic Night” where snow sculptures are illuminated with lights is also one of the highlights. Gourmet food stalls featuring Kutchan’s specialty “heavy snow barbecue” and other local flavors line up for full enjoyment.This event, supported by regional cooperation and warm hospitality, will surely carve memories unique to this “snow town” into visitors’ hearts.
[Snow Topia Festival]
Dates: February 15 (Sat) – February 16 (Sun), 2025
2-6. Chitose・Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival
Source：2025 千歳・支笏湖 氷濤まつり氷の美術館
Chitose・Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival is an ice art festival created using Lake Shikotsu’s highly transparent lake water and the harsh winter cold.Ice objects created by spraying and freezing water shine in a clear blue color called “Lake Shikotsu Blue” during the day, and at night they’re wrapped in a mystical atmosphere with colorful illumination. The exhibitions themed as an “Ice Museum” are simple yet allow visitors to fully experience natural beauty.
Additionally, hot spring areas with different spring qualities are scattered near the venue, providing a welcome way to warm chilled bodies.Furthermore, “North Snow Land in Chitose” offers abundant winter activities including snow rafting and tube sliders, allowing everyone from children to adults to enjoy a full day.
[Chitose・Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival]
Dates: January 31 (Sat) – February 23 (Mon, Holiday), 2026
2-7. Lake Toya Illumination Festival
Source：一般社団法人 洞爺湖温泉観光協会
Lake Toya Illumination Festival, which romantically colors winter Lake Toya, is an event where the path from the hot spring district to the lakeside is illuminated with approximately 12,000 lights, creating a mystical atmosphere.The highlight is the “Illumination Tunnel” that appears from November. The light tunnel stretching 70 meters and the giant dome woven from approximately 400,000 light bulbs are described as being like an entrance to another world.
The light corridor, completely transformed from daytime, is popular not only as a dating spot for couples but also with families. When you want to warm your chilled body, relaxing at nearby Lake Toya Onsen is recommended.This event, where nature, hot springs, and light harmonize, provides a special experience to luxuriously enjoy winter Hokkaido.
[Lake Toya Illumination Festival]
Dates: November 1 (Fri), 2024 – April 27 (Sun), 2025
2-8. Sounkyo Onsen Ice Fall Festival
Sounkyo Onsen Ice Fall Festival, held at the foot of the Daisetsuzan Mountains in Sounkyo, is one of Hokkaido’s representative winter festivals.In the approximately 10,000 square meter venue spread across the Ishikari River riverbed, various sized ice sculptures stand in rows, allowing visitors to enjoy the delicate sculptural beauty of ice during the day and mystical scenery with seven-colored illumination at night. Highlights include the ice maze “Mysterious Palace,” the 50-meter ice tunnel “World Gallery,” and the mystical “Ice Lake.”
The Ice Fall Shrine allows visitors to make wishes to the ice spirits, while the “Ice Bar” where you can enjoy drinks and rest areas with wood stoves are fully equipped. Additionally, stage events and fireworks displays ensure visitors never get bored.This is where you can enjoy the ultimate experience unique to winter, with hot springs and spectacular views simultaneously.
[Sounkyo Onsen Ice Fall Festival]
Dates: January 25 (Sat) – March 9 (Sun), 2025）
Conclusion
Hokkaido’s winter festivals are not merely tourist events but valuable experiences where you can feel regional culture, history, and lifestyle wisdom firsthand. From grand-scale festivals like the Sapporo Snow Festival and Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival to warm lighting events like Otaru Snow Light Path filled with citizens’ feelings, all possess memorable attractions.
Additionally, combinations with hot springs and local gourmet food are among the highlights of travel. Be sure to fully enjoy winter events you can only experience during this season, such as ice sculpting and snow activities. Please come experience the extraordinary time woven by light, snow, and human warmth that can only be felt in winter Hokkaido.
*This article was created based on information as of June 2025.
