Events & Festivals in Hokkaido

Chitose-Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually late January to late February (about 3–4 weeks)

2027: Jan 30 – Feb 23

Sounkyo Onsen Ice Waterfall Festival

Hokkaido ・ Asahikawa & Biei

Usually late January to early March (about 6 weeks)

Sapporo Snow Festival

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually early February (about one week)

2027 (77th): Feb 4 (Thu) – Feb 11 (Thu, holiday), 8 days

Otaru Snow Light Path

Hokkaido ・ Otaru

Usually about one week in early to mid-February (around the same time as the Sapporo Snow Festival)

2027: Feb 6 – Feb 13

Asahikawa Winter Festival

Hokkaido ・ Asahikawa & Biei

Usually about 6 days in early to mid-February (around the same time as the Sapporo Snow Festival)

2027 (68th): Feb 6 – Feb 11

Lake Toyako Long Run Fireworks Display

Hokkaido ・ Noboribetsu & Lake Toya

Usually every night from late April to October 31 (about 20 minutes from 20:45)

2026: Apr 28 – Oct 31 (held nightly; currently underway)

Sapporo Lilac Festival

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually mid- to late May (about 10 days at the Odori Site, and 2 days on the final weekend at the Kawashimo Site)

YOSAKOI Soran Festival

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually Wednesday to Sunday (5 days) in early to mid-June

2027 (36th): Jun 9 (Wed) – Jun 13 (Sun), 5 days

Hokkaido Jingu Festival (Sapporo Matsuri)

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually June 14–16 (14th: eve festival, 15th: main festival, 16th: mikoshi procession)

Sapporo Summer Festival

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually late July to mid-August (the beer gardens run for about 4 weeks; Hokkai Bon Odori is held during Obon, and the Susukino Festival for 3 days in early August)

Otaru Ushio Festival

Hokkaido ・ Otaru

Usually Friday to Sunday in late July (3 days, with a grand fireworks display on the final night)

Hakodate Port Festival

Hokkaido ・ Hakodate

Usually August 1–5 (fireworks on the first day, parades on the 2nd and 3rd)

Noboribetsu Jigoku Matsuri (Hell Festival)

Hokkaido ・ Noboribetsu & Lake Toya

Usually a Saturday and Sunday in late August (2 days)

Sapporo Autumn Fest

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually early to late September, or into early October (about 3 weeks)

2026: Sep 11 – Oct 3 (currently underway)

Sapporo White Illumination

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually late November to mid-March of the following year (the Odori Site runs from late November to December 25)

2026: Opens Nov 20 (Odori Site until Dec 25; Ekimae-dori Site until Feb 11, 2027; Minami 1-jo-dori, Kita 3-jo Plaza, and Sapporo Station South Exit until Mar 14, 2027)

Munich Christmas Market in Sapporo

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually late November to December 25 (about 1 month)

2026: Nov 20 (Fri) – Dec 25 (Fri)

Asahiyama Zoo Penguin Walk

Hokkaido ・ Asahikawa & Biei

Usually held daily from mid- to late December (once there is enough snow) until around mid-March

Hakodate Christmas Fantasy

Hokkaido ・ Hakodate

Usually starts in late November to early December and runs until December 25

2026: Dec 1 (Tue) – Dec 25 (Fri)