December is a month of celebrations with Christmas and New Year’s events! To enter the winter season smoothly, Tokyo puts on a costume and becomes a city of festivities. Hosting so many events, there is certainly no going wrong when it comes to things to do in the capital this month. But where do you begin? Between Christmas markets, illuminations, festivals, and concerts, you won’t miss the fun out of this year’s December with this program!
Tokyo Skytree and Christmas lights – Credits: Manish Prabhune on Flickr
Tokyo Skytree Dream Christmas
Christmas isn’t just about celebration and illuminations, it’s also about markets! Open since the beginning of November, the Skytree European-style Christmas market will be held until December 25. For those looking for food about 10 food stalls selling Western European food and drinks, along with a seated area will be open to the public from 11:00 to 22:00. The entire area including many of the popular photo spots will be decorated with colorful and festive lights, animated by performances during the event period, and an 8-meter-tall illuminated tree can be found at the foot of the tower. There is no fee to enter the market; however, there will be a Christmas-themed event in the tower itself that will require an admission ticket. From outside, the Skytree will also be specially lit up on the 24th and the 25th with 3 different designs inspired by festive colors from 17:30 to 22:00, rotating every minute.
Dates: 6 November – 25 December, irregular closing days
Location: Tokyo Skytree Town
Official Website: Tokyo Skytree Christmas event information
(Kosé) Midtown Ice Rink 2024 – Credits: Photo courtesy of Tokyo Midtown
Yunth Midtown Ice Rink
What does December mean? The beginning of the coldest season, of course! And the cold weather often results in ice, which means: ice skating! Every year, an ice rink is held for about 3 months at Tokyo Midtown to celebrate winter with fun! Not only can you enjoy a nice skating session with some friends, but you can also admire the illuminations at night to dive even more into this magical atmosphere! From 11:00 to 21:00 every day, join festivities and come celebrate the upcoming Christmas season with this winter tradition, get some warmth by moving your body on the ice! Whether you are a pro skater or you simply want to have some fun, this is definitely a must-do in Tokyo in the coming season! Gloves and skating shoes are required to access the rink. If you don’t have any, don’t worry, you can rent them at the entrance, as well as skates. A final little tip to know: it is said to be way less crowded during the week!
Dates: 21 November (2025) – 23 February (2026), closed on the 1st of January 2026
Location: Midtown Garden
Official Website: https://www.tokyo-midtown.com/jp/event/7659/
Fee: From ¥1,400 to ¥2,300, depending on age and time, in addition to ¥500 for skates and ¥300 for gloves
Tokyo Art Book Fair 2024 – Credits: Tokyo Art Book Fair 2024 official website
Tokyo Art Book Fair
If you are into the arts, the annual Tokyo Art Book Fair will be held again this year in December for its 15th edition! As one of the largest global art publication-related events with more than 300 exhibitors and Japan’s first event of that kind, this fair brings people from everywhere in the world, symbolizing the large world of art book culture. This time, it will be divided into two parts with different and diverse lineups, from the 11th to the 14th, and from the 19th to the 21st, both at the Tokyo Museum of Contemporary Art. Each year, the Tokyo Art Book Fair highlights a particular country’s art background, last year focusing on Germany, the 2025 edition will be putting the spotlight on Italy, with many special exhibitions about the history of the press back in the 20th century and showcasing key figures of the Italian publishing sphere. Along with displays will be held many activities such as presentations and panel discussions, workshops, film screenings, live performances, book signings, special booths, and a kids’ playground area. If you visit, don’t forget to bring back home a unique souvenir from this event, as you can purchase from the creators themselves on-site!
Dates: 11 December – 14 December, 19 December – 21 December
Location: Tokyo Museum of Contemporary Art
Official Website: Official website in English
Fee: ¥1,000 online entry tickets (with an additional booking fee of ¥165), ¥1,200 on-site entry ticket (limited number)
Akōgishi festival at Sengakuji Temple – Credits: Sengakuji Temple Ako Gishi festival official website
47 Rōnin Winter Festival
Have you ever heard of the 47 rōnin, those legendary samurai whose loyalty drove them to commit a Japanese ritual suicide, seppuku, after avenging their leader, Asano Naganori, who died of the same sentence. Well, in the middle of December, the Akōgishisai, or 47 rōnin festival, is held to commemorate these historical figures of the 18th century. The main event will take place in the afternoon of the 14th of December, which consists of a procession with 47 men dressed up as rōnin parading from Zojoji Temple heading to Sengakuji Temple, the original place where the story took place 300 years ago. During the festival, many traditional ceremonies will also be held, including performances with dance and music, food stalls, memorial services, and theater plays. If Japanese history and traditions are always something that interests you, this winter festival is definitely an event you will like this December! And to go further, visit the Akogishi Kinenkan Memorial Museum, displaying many historical artefacts and resources about the 47 rōnin’s story.
Dates: 12th – 14th December
Location: Sengakuji Temple
Official Website: Sengakuji Temple official website
People walking in the Setagaya Boro-Ichi Market – Credit: Lewis Tse
Setagaya Boroichi Market
For the end of the year, you should head to Setagaya Boroichi (“Rag”) Flea Market, a big event with more than 700 vendors displaying everything from second-hand clothes to antique furniture, vinyls, and pop culture goodies. Without a doubt, this is the place where you will likely find hidden treasures to bring back home! Dating back to the end of the 16th century, this festival-like market is one of the oldest in the Kanto region, and is now a tradition held twice a year in December and January. Turn your shopping session into a cultural getaway in Japan’s historical landscape. More than just shopping, the Boroichi market also includes food and drink stalls for a festive and unique atmosphere to enjoy buying goods for the new year coming while pleasing your body with warm rice drinks (“amazake”) and savoury Daikan mochi. The market is free to enter and operates from 9:00 in the morning, all day long until 20:00. For more details about Boroichi market’s origins and roots, take a peek at the city’s official website.
Dates: 15 December – 16 December
Location: Boroichi Street
Official Website: Setagaya City official website
Stage full of candles – Credits: Shelby Cox on Pexels
Candlelight: A Night of Christmas Classics
Let’s dive into a magical atmosphere with a Candlelight concert at Kanze Noh Theater in Ginza! For Christmas celebrations, several venues set up themed programs for the festive occasion, with classics such as “Jingle Bells”, “O Tannenbaum”, or “White Christmas”, and many other songs. Join this enchanting atmosphere to enjoy classical festive music like never before, with lights surrounding the greatest String Quartet musicians, performing this one-hour-long program 3 times this year: once on the 18th at 19:00, and twice on Christmas day, the 25th at 16:30 and 19:00. To go further, another Christmas special concert is organized on the 26th at the Christ Shinagawa Church, “Candlelight: Christmas Pop Hits”, featuring popular Christmas and Winter themed songs like “Santa Tell Me” by Ariana Grande, “Snowman” by Sia, “All I want for Christmas is you” by Mariah Carey, or “Last Christmas” by Wham! and many more. Check the official page for more details about this event. All Candlelight concerts have areas dedicated to wheelchairs, allowing everyone to have a taste of this magical experience!
Dates: 18 December, 25 December
Location: Ginza Kanze Noh Theater
Official Website: Candlelight: A Night of Christmas official page on Fever
Fee: From ¥4,200 to ¥8,900, based on the day and the seating area, wheelchair seating at ¥4,000
Let’s enjoy those events around Tokyo and finish the year in the best way! A city full of lights and animations means there is no lack of entertainment this December. Share good moments with others to put a good note in for the end of 2025, and don’t forget to take your best pictures to keep the best memories of festive Tokyo! We look forward to seeing you there!
Feature Photo Credit: Manish Prabhune on Flickr
