Sapporo White Illumination 2026–27: Dates, Venues and When to Go

The Sapporo White Illumination runs from November 20, 2026 to March 14, 2027, its 46th season. It began in Odori Park in 1981 and now lights several sites in central Sapporo: Odori Park, Ekimae-dori, Minami 1-jo-dori, the Kita 3-jo Plaza (Akapla) and the Sapporo Station south exit plaza, with Nakajima Park joining as a new site this year. Each site has its own period and lighting hours.

2026–27 at a glance

From the Sapporo Tourism Association's official White Illumination site and Munich Christmas Market page, checked between 12 and 19 October 2026. As of 19 October, the official site says details for the new Nakajima Park site will be announced around late October; we will add each site's period and hours when they are published.

The sites

The official site describes the sites in four groups:

• Odori Park, the original site, with a symbol installation.
• Ekimae-dori, the Kita 3-jo Plaza (Akapla) and the Sapporo Station south exit plaza, along the walk between Sapporo Station and Odori.
• Minami 1-jo-dori, with illuminated trees.
• Nakajima Park, new for 2026–27, south of the city centre.

Because the sites follow the main street from Sapporo Station to Odori, most visitors can see several of them on one evening walk. Nakajima Park is further south, beyond Susukino.

When it gets dark

Sunset times are from the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan's calculations for Sapporo. In December the sun sets at about 16:00, so the lights are on display from early evening; check each site's lighting hours before you go.

Planning an evening

These are our suggestions, not official advice.

• Walk from Sapporo Station to Odori. Start at the station's south exit and follow Ekimae-dori and Akapla to Odori Park; it keeps you near warm indoor stops.
• Combine it with the Christmas Market until December 25. The market and the Odori lights are in the same park.
• Dress for standing still outdoors. Sapporo's average December day is 2.0°C, falling to -4.0°C at night (JMA normals); see our winter weather guide and winter packing list.
• In February, pair it with the Snow Festival. The Sapporo Snow Festival runs February 4–11, 2027; see our Snow Festival guide.

For everything else in the city, see Sapporo in winter. For the rest of the season, see Hokkaido in November, Hokkaido in December and our Hokkaido in winter guide. For somewhere to stay near the lights, see where to stay in Sapporo.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Sapporo White Illumination 2026? From November 20, 2026 to March 14, 2027. Each site has its own period and hours.

Where are the illuminations? Odori Park, Ekimae-dori, Minami 1-jo-dori, the Kita 3-jo Plaza (Akapla) and the Sapporo Station south exit plaza, with Nakajima Park added for 2026–27.

When is the Munich Christmas Market in Sapporo? November 20 – December 25, 2026, 11:00–21:00, in Odori Park.

Sources: Sapporo Tourism Association, Sapporo White Illumination and Munich Christmas Market (checked 12–19 October 2026); National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, sunrise and sunset for Sapporo (November 2026, December 2026, January 2027, February 2027, March 2027); Japan Meteorological Agency climate normals 1991–2020. Planning suggestions are our editorial judgement.