The Great Santa Run and Other Fun Christmas Events in Tokyo!

The Santa Run is one of many Christmas activities to enjoy! Get ready for glimmering golden trees, and don’t forget to lace up a pair of ice skates.  From ice skating while jamming to some Christmas hits and twinkling illuminations to special events at Tokyo Disney Resort. Here are the best things to do and see during Christmas in Tokyo!

The Great Santa Run

Join the festive spirit at the Great Santa Run, one of the exciting events in December. If you’re looking for festive fun with a purpose, look no further than this exciting event. Dress as Santa and run around Tokyo’s Komazawa Olympic Park in this fun charity event. You can choose between a 4.3km run or a 2km walk along the jogging course.

The fee gets you a handmade Santa costume you can change into for the run. If you’d instead bring your own Santa fit, you can receive a badge instead. Best of all, some proceeds go towards gifts for hospitalized children in Japan. 

Make sure to also stick around for the afterparty in the park. There will be live talks and performances on stage featuring singer-songwriter Maki Ohguro and appearances from other Japanese celebrities. There will also be booths around the park with fun activities you won’t miss!

Tokyo Christmas Market

One of the biggest Christmas markets in Japan, the Tokyo Christmas Market, is held at Hibiya Park for two weeks. Kick off the holiday season with a bit of European flair. Find that handmade ornament or drink steaming hot wine at some of Tokyo’s best Christmas markets. In its ninth year, the festival brings in more than 25 restaurants to recreate the vibe of German Christmas markets.

Along with Christmas trees, lights, decorations, and music, enjoy hot and delicious Christmas food and drinks day and night! Think festive treats like hot wine and sweet cakes; you can’t skip the 14-meter-tall Christmas pyramid! You can spot the glowing Tokyo Tower in the night sky if you look up. 

You’ll undoubtedly find an impressive array of little kiosks selling international holiday crafts. There will also be handicraft workshops and daily live performances by German and Japanese gospel groups. Once you’ve wandered through the stalls, grab a warming drink and watch a live performance to round out those Christmas feels.

Looking to enjoy the holiday season with tasty Japanese snacks? Don’t miss out on what TokyoTreat has to offer you! TokyoTreat sends the best Japanese snacks, drinks, and sweets to your door!

Jewellumination at Yomiuri Land

Yomiuriland Jewellumination is the annual winter illumination held at Yomuriland, Tokyo’s largest amusement park. Millions of lights will cover the amusement park — including rides, roller coasters, and a Ferris wheel. 

This is it if you’re looking for the most stunning illumination in Tokyo. You can enjoy brilliant lights together with expansive views of Tokyo’s nightscape. It’s a popular event offering sights you can’t experience anywhere else.

The colorful and gorgeous illuminations turn the park into a winter wonderland! This excellent illumination is brought to life by seven jewelry colors: Diamond, Ruby, Amber, Topaz, Emerald, Sapphire, and Amethyst. The park is split into ten areas where visitors expect to be treated to beautifully lit attractions. 

One of the highlights of the illumination is the impressive fountain shows. The pool area turns into a wave of colorful lights. Enjoy a giant ring of water screen images, 188 fountains, lasers, and flames. There is also a dance show synchronized to the light and music. 

Enjoy the Midtown Ice Rink

One of Tokyo’s most prominent outdoor ice-skating rinks is coming again this year! This large ice-skating rink in Tokyo Midtown’s garden is surrounded by greenery. In the evening, you can enjoy the fantastic illuminations and a view of the lit-up Tokyo Tower. 

The admission ticket includes a skate rental and a coupon to redeem at one of Tokyo Midtown’s restaurants. Enjoy an array of Japanese food, snacks, and drinks. What better way to enjoy a day out than with ice skating followed by a tasty treat?

Christmas at Tokyo Disney Resort

One of the most magical and loved Christmas events is at Tokyo Disney Resort. Tokyo Disney Resort will once again be hosting the special event Disney Christmas this year. Tokyo Disney Christmas 2023 will feature special parades with some of the park’s best-loved and adorable characters. Have fun at time-limited attractions, and enjoy Christmas-themed treats for an unforgettable and happy memory!

All in all, Christmas is one of the best times to visit Tokyo! With Christmas just around the corner, Tokyo is in full holiday mode. The capital does a brilliant job of decorating the city with illuminations and towering Christmas trees. We also offer festive activities to get you into the holiday spirit. Are you planning to visit Tokyo during the holiday season? Let us know in the comments below!