tripuuu.log
Event Guide · Hokkaido

Hakodate Christmas Fantasy

DecemberHakodate2026: Dec 1 (Tue) – Dec 25 (Fri)
Search by dates and destination
Overview

Overview

A winter tradition in which a giant Christmas tree floats on the water in front of the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses in the Hakodate Bay Area and is illuminated every night. Fireworks are launched every day at 18:00 as the tree lights up, and admission is free.

When
Usually starts in late November to early December and runs until December 25
Confirmed dates: 2026: Dec 1 (Tue) – Dec 25 (Fri)
Venue
On the water in front of the Red Brick Warehouses (Suehiro-cho, Hakodate Bay Area)
Official website
http://www.hakodatexmas.com/
Highlights

Highlights

The highlight is the harbor at night, where fireworks burst into the sky the moment the giant tree on the water lights up, set against the illuminated Red Brick Warehouses. The "Premium Red Tree," when the tree glows bright red just three times a day, is also popular.

Times

Times

Tree lighting and fireworksDaily at 18:00

Fireworks are launched as the tree lights up (may be canceled depending on weather). From the 2026 announcement

Tree illumination16:30–17:45, 18:00–22:00

On the first day, 12/1, lit from 18:00. From the 2026 announcement

Premium Red Tree18:30 / 19:30 / 20:30 (about 15 min each)

The whole tree glows red. From the 2026 announcement

Soup bar16:30–20:00

2025 example. Soups made with southern Hokkaido ingredients served on the sidewalk in front of BAY Hakodate, 700 yen per cup (ticket system)

Times can change from year to year. Check the official website for the latest information.

Tips

Tips for travelers

  • ✓Fireworks go off every day at 18:00 when the tree is lit, so be in front of the Red Brick Warehouses by about 17:45
  • ✓The tree switches off between 17:45 and 18:00 and is then lit again at 18:00 as part of the show
  • ✓Warming up with a hot soup from the soup bar (700 yen per cup in 2025) while you watch is a classic way to enjoy it
  • ✓Many people combine it with the night view from Mt. Hakodate. The ropeway base station is within walking distance of Jujigai
  • ✓Shops in the Red Brick Warehouses have closing times, so do your shopping early
Access

Getting there

Nearest stations
  • Jujigai stop (Hakodate City Tram)About 5–7 min on footClosest to the tree and soup bar
  • Meijikan-mae (Hakodate Bus)About 2 min on foot
From major stations
  • Hakodate Station: City tram (toward Yachigashira or Hakodate Dock-mae) to Jujigai, or walk (About 5 min by tram / about 15–20 min on foot)
  • Hakodate Airport: By car to the venue (About 25 min)
Extra buses & shuttles
None
IC cards (Suica etc.)
Support for transport IC cards (Suica, etc.) may be limited on the city tram and Hakodate Bus, so bring cash or a one-day pass to be safe
Getting back
  • The Jujigai stop gets crowded right after the 18:00 lighting and fireworks. Hakodate Station is only about 20 minutes away on foot
  • Roads freeze easily, so be careful walking on slopes and cobblestones
Open in Google Maps ↗
Crowds

Crowds & best timing

Busiest times
Around the 18:00 lighting and fireworks every day, especially on weekends and around Christmas
Quieter times
Early hours from 16:30 to 17:30, or after 20:00
Saving a spot
If you want to watch the fireworks from the quay directly in front of the tree, arrive by about 17:30
Time needed
30 min–1 hour (1–2 hours including the soup bar and a stroll around the Red Brick Warehouses)
Weather

Weather & what to wear

Evening temperatures
Hakodate's normal low in December is roughly -4°C (a reference value based on JMA normals). The wind by the sea is cold, so it feels even colder
What to wear
A down coat or other warm outerwear, a hat, gloves, a scarf, and non-slip winter boots
Rain, snow & typhoons
Fireworks may be canceled depending on weather conditions
Where to check for cancellations
Official website (http://www.hakodatexmas.com/), official Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/hakodatexmas/), Executive Committee TEL 0138-27-3535
☁ Hokkaido weather in December →
Etiquette

Local rules & etiquette

  • !Do not climb over the quay railings or lean out over the water
  • !Take your trash home or use the designated collection points
  • !Be considerate of others with tripods and selfie sticks when it's crowded. Flying drones without permission is not allowed
  • !Refrain from smoking on the street
  • !Public trash bins are rare in Japan. Bring a small bag and take your trash with you.
  • !Smoking while walking is banned in many cities. Use designated smoking areas.
Facilities

Facilities

Toilets
You can use toilets in Bay Area commercial facilities such as the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses (note their opening hours)
Lockers & luggage
There are coin lockers at Hakodate Station. It's best to leave suitcases at the station or your hotel before coming
Paying at food stalls
The soup bar uses a ticket system (2025 example). Stalls and vendors may be cash only, so bring cash
ATMs
Convenience store ATMs (Seven Bank, etc.) in the Bay Area and around Hakodate Station
Seven Bank ATMs (inside 7-Eleven stores) usually accept cards issued overseas.
Wheelchairs & strollers
The area around the venue is flat, but there is snow and ice in winter. It gets crowded around the fireworks, so take care with wheelchairs and strollers
Food

Food

Local favorites
Local soups from the soup bar (southern Hokkaido ingredients)Hakodate ramen (shio / salt)SeafoodLucky Pierrot (Hakodate's local burger chain)
Vegetarian & halal
Vegetarian and halal labels are rare, so check with each shop
Tours & tickets for this eventPR
🏨 Where to stay during the event

Hotels in the Bay Area and around Hakodate Station get busy on December weekends and around Christmas, so booking early is recommended

Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Hakodate Christmas FantasyPR

PRSee more places to stay near Hakodate Christmas Fantasy on Agoda →

Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.

Events

Events & festivals in Hokkaido

February

Sapporo Snow Festival

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually early February (about one week)

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

February

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

February

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

April–October

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)

May

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)

June

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

July–August

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)

July

Otaru Ushio Festival

Hokkaido ・ Otaru

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

August

Hakodate Port Festival

Hokkaido ・ Hakodate

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

September–October

Sapporo Autumn Fest

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

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

2026: Sep 11 – Oct 3 (currently underway)

November–March

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)

December–March

Asahiyama Zoo Penguin Walk

Hokkaido ・ Asahikawa & Biei

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

See all events →

Dates, times and access are based on official and other primary sources. Only dates confirmed by official sources are shown as “Confirmed dates”; otherwise the usual timing is given.

Last checked: 2026-09-30

PRKlookHokkaido autumn leaves toursSounkyo, Jozankei and moreView