Sapporo's Odori lights end on 25 Dec: pick your evening before you book
This week's news · Checked 2026-11-08
What happened. The 46th Sapporo White Illumination starts on Friday 20 Nov 2026, with an opening ceremony at Odori Park block 3 at 4:30pm. The official 2026 guidebook gives different hours and end dates for each venue:
- Odori Park: 4:30–10pm, until 25 Dec 2026. On 23–25 Dec the lights stay on until midnight.
- Ekimae-dori (the avenue from Sapporo Station to Odori): 4:30–10pm, until 11 Feb 2027.
- Minami 1-jo-dori: 4:30–10pm, until 14 Mar 2027.
- Sapporo Station south exit plaza: 4:30pm–midnight, until 14 Mar 2027.
- Akapla (Kita 3-jo) until 14 Mar 2027 and the Red Brick Office until 28 Feb 2027. The new Nakajima Park venue runs 9–28 Jan 2027 only, 10am–8pm.
- Wonder Lights: a moving-light show at Odori on 11–13 Dec only.
The Munich Christmas Market is also on at Odori Park blocks 1 and 2, 20 Nov–25 Dec, 11am–9pm. The organisers are the City of Sapporo, the Sapporo Tourism Association and the Sapporo Chamber of Commerce. The guidebook lists no entry fee for the lights.
What it means for you.
- Arriving in Sapporo after 25 Dec? The main Odori lights will be off. Ekimae-dori and the station's south exit stay lit, which is enough for a family photo near a station-area hotel.
- In Sapporo 20 Nov–25 Dec: keep one evening for Odori, from 4:30pm. With small kids, go early in the evening. On 23–25 Dec the Odori lights run until midnight.
- In Sapporo 11–13 Dec: those nights add Wonder Lights, a brighter, moving version of the Odori display.
- Munich Christmas Market: German-style huts, and the guidebook mentions mulled wine. It says nothing about halal. Enjoy the atmosphere and eat elsewhere.
- Eating afterwards: Susukino is one subway stop from Odori. HALAL WAGYU RAMEN SHINJUKU-TEI in Susukino is halal certified (HGJ) and has a prayer room (official site, checked 26 Sept 2026). Full list: halal food in Sapporo.
- Hotel: stay near Sapporo Station or Odori so you can walk to the lights. Check rooms for 2 adults + 2 kids on 21–25 Dec on Sapporo hotels on Trip.com, priced in RM (filter for free cancellation).
Before you fly: Map of 231 halal places & prayer rooms (US$6.99) — December Edition, 15 Nov.
Affiliate links may be used; your price doesn't change. Sources: Sapporo White Illumination official site and the official 2026 guidebook (City of Sapporo, Sapporo Tourism Association, Sapporo Chamber of Commerce), October 2026 (Japanese and English). Lighting hours can change. Checked 8 Nov 2026.