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Sapporo Snow Festival in Hokkaido, Japan

As part of our guide for visitors to Sapporo, we present this guide to the Sapporo Snow Festival (scheduled for February 4 – 11, 2026). The Snow Festival is the biggest of the festivals in Sapporo; more than two million visitors from around the world come to see stunning snow and ice sculptures that turn Sapporo into a giant outdoor art gallery.

2026 Sapporo Snow Festival

More details below.

Overview of the Sapporo Snow Festival

Event Name: Sapporo Snow Festival (さっぽろ雪まつり)
Dates (2026): February 4 – February 11, 2026
Location: Sapporo
Main Venues: Odori Park / Susukino / Tsudome
Type of Event: Winter festival featuring snow and ice sculptures, food stalls, and snow activities
Admission: Free

The Sapporo Snow Festival is one of Japan’s largest and most famous winter events, held every February in Sapporo, Hokkaido. Known for its massive snow sculptures, illuminated ice displays, and lively winter atmosphere, the festival attracts more than two million visitors from around the world each year.

The event takes place across three main venues in the city. Odori Park hosts the giant snow sculptures and projection shows, Susukino features beautifully carved ice sculptures in Sapporo’s nightlife district, and Tsudome offers family-friendly snow activities such as snow slides and snow rafting. Together, these sites create a citywide celebration of winter art, culture, and Hokkaido cuisine.
There are also local food stalls, souvenir stands, and hot drink spots to help you stay warm while enjoying the snowy wonderland.

When is the 2026 Sapporo Snow Festival?

The dates for the next Sapporo Winter Festival are February 4 to February 11, 2026. The event lasts for eight days, giving visitors plenty of time to explore all the venues and enjoy the festive mood around the city.

Where is the Snow Festival in Sapporo located?

The snow festival in Sapporo takes place across three primary sites:

The Three Main Venues for the 2026 Snow Festival in Sapporo

— Odori Park
— Susukino
— Tsudome (Community Dome)

Below we provide more details on each sections.

Odori Park Site (大通会場)

Address: Odori Nishi 1–12 Chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0042
Nearest Station: Odori Station (Subway Namboku, Tozai, and Toho Lines)

The heart of the festival, stretching about 1.5 km through central Sapporo from Odori 1-chome to Odori 12-chome. This is where you’ll find the most impressive large-scale snow and ice sculptures, projection shows, and local food stalls.

Odori Park (大通公園)

Odori Park is the heart of the Sapporo Snow Festival and its most famous venue. The festival stretches for about 1.5 kilometers through downtown Sapporo, from Odori 1-chome to 12-chome, filling the park with enormous snow sculptures, stages, food stalls, and special event areas.

Visitors can see everything from detailed recreations of famous landmarks and temples to playful sculptures of anime characters and popular mascots. Many of the largest sculptures are several stories tall and require weeks of work by artists, volunteers, and teams from around the world.

At night, colorful lights and projection mapping shows illuminate the sculptures, creating a magical winter atmosphere. The illuminations usually continue until around 10:00 p.m., transforming the park into a glowing winter gallery that is perfect for evening walks and photography.

Odori Park is also the main event area of the festival. Visitors can enjoy concert stages, international snow sculpture competitions, and seasonal food stalls serving popular Hokkaido dishes such as ramen, grilled seafood, and hot drinks to keep warm.

Several special activities and facilities are also available around the Odori venue. Visitors can try winter sports such as curling, biathlon, and simulators at the JAL Sapporo Snow Sports Park (held February 7–8 at Odori West 7-chome), while the Cross-Country Ski Fan Run, sponsored by AEON, features ski races of 10 km, 5 km, and 3 km along with the Snow Marathon Festival.

Free rental services – Some locations offer free rentals such as walking poles and wheelchairs to help visitors move safely on snowy paths.

Official festival souvenirs – Popular items include snowman keychains, plush toys, badges, limited-edition T-shirts, mugs, postcards, stationery, and special festival drink cans such as limited designs from Coca-Cola.

For the best experience, many visitors explore Odori Park during the daytime to see the details of the sculptures clearly and enjoy outdoor activities. In the evening, the illuminated snow art creates a completely different atmosphere, making it one of the most photogenic winter scenes in Sapporo.

The festival features hundreds of massive snow and ice sculptures, many built by artists and teams from Japan and around the world. Each site has its own highlights:

Odori Park: The main venue, famous for its giant illuminated snow sculptures, concerts, projection mapping shows, and food booths serving local Hokkaido dishes.

Susukino Site (すすきの会場)

Address: Ekimae-dori, Minami 4-jo to Minami 6-jo, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0804
Nearest Station: Susukino Station (Subway Namboku Line)

Located in Sapporo’s lively entertainment district, the Susukino site features stunning ice sculptures, illuminated at night with colorful lights.

Located in the nightlife area of Sapporo, the Susukino site focuses mainly on ice sculptures rather than snow. The ice glistens beautifully under neon lights, creating a cool, crystal-like street atmosphere. Visitors can even pose with the sculptures, and in some years, there are small ice bars serving hot drinks or cocktails made with local spirits.

Susukino: Known for its beautiful ice sculptures, which look even more magical at night under the city lights.

Tsudome Site (つどーむ会場 / Sapporo Community Dome)

Address: 885-1 Sakae-machi, Higashi-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 007-0852
Nearest Station: Sakaemachi Station (Subway Toho Line), then 10–15 minutes by foot
Situated in the eastern part of Sapporo, this family-friendly venue offers snow slides, snow rafting, and indoor play areas for kids. It’s perfect for visitors who want hands-on snow fun.

A bit farther from the city center, the Tsudome site is perfect for families and children. Here, you can try snow slides, snow rafting, and even snow mazes. It’s less about art and more about fun; a playful winter park that both kids and adults can enjoy. There are also food stalls inside the dome offering warm Hokkaido dishes like corn soup, ramen, and grilled seafood.

Tsudome: A family-friendly site with snow slides, snow rafting, and activity zones for children.

How do we get to the Snow Festival in Sapporo?

The Sapporo Snow Festival is mainly held at three venues: Odori Park, Susukino, and Tsudome (Community Dome). The easiest way to reach the festival is by subway. From New Chitose Airport, take the JR Rapid Airport train to Sapporo Station (about 40 minutes), then transfer to the Namboku or Tozai Line depending on your destination.

Odori Site: Located right in the city center, directly above Odori Subway Station.
Susukino Site: Just one stop south of Odori on the Namboku Line.
Tsudome Site: Take the Toho Line to Sakaemachi Station, then a short shuttle bus or 10–15-minute walk.

All venues are easy to reach, and since the festival runs in winter, warm clothing and snow boots are recommended.

How Much Does it Cost to Attend the Sapporo Snow Festival?

Admission to the Sapporo Winter Festival is completely free for all visitors. Visitors can walk around the sculpture areas, take photos, and enjoy the winter atmosphere at no cost. However, some food stalls, snow activities, or special exhibitions may charge small fees. If you plan to visit the Tsudome site, where there are snow slides and family attractions, bring a little cash for snacks and rides. Overall, it’s a very budget-friendly event perfect for everyone.

Events and Activities at Sapporo Snow Festival

Visitors can enjoy a variety of winter events and activities during the Sapporo Snow Festival, from hands-on snow experiences to sports and family-friendly attractions.

Make Your Own Snow Sculpture Experience (Jan 9 – Feb 28)

At the Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observatory, visitors can try carving their own snow sculpture with provided tools and guidance. Participants receive a special certificate to commemorate their creation.

JAL Sapporo Snow Sports Park (Feb 7–8)

Held at Odori Park West 7-chome, this free outdoor area offers more than ten beginner-friendly winter sports experiences, including curling, biathlon, and sports simulators, along with food stalls serving warm Hokkaido specialties.

Cross-Country Ski Fan Run (Feb 7–8)

Sponsored by AEON, this event includes cross-country ski races (10 km, 5 km, and 3 km) and the Snow Marathon Festival, welcoming participants of different skill levels.

Toyohira Gorge Snow Park 2026 (Jan 9 – Feb 8)

Located near Toyohira Gorge, this winter park offers fun snow activities such as tube sliding and snow play, making it a great spot for families visiting Sapporo during the winter season.

Who Attends the Sapporo Snow Festival?

Every year, more than two million visitors from Japan and around the world come to experience the Sapporo Ice Festival. It attracts families, couples, photographers, and winter sports lovers.

Artists and ice sculptors come to Sapporo to join the International Snow Sculpture Contest. Teams and tourists come from countries such as the United States, Canada, China, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan, and many European nations.

The event brings together people of all ages and nationalities, creating a cheerful and festive atmosphere that celebrates winter culture and creativity across the city.

History of the Sapporo Snow Festival in Hokkaido

The story of the Sapporo Snow Festival started humbly in 1950. After a long, snowy winter, a group of local high school students decided to build six snow sculptures in Odori Park. What began as a small school project soon captured everyone’s imagination. Locals came to see the sculptures, and the event attracted around 50,000 visitors, an amazing number for something so simple and spontaneous.

In 1955, the Japan Self-Defense Forces joined the festival, bringing with them the manpower and tools needed to create larger and more detailed snow artworks. Their participation transformed the event from a small local gathering into a major city celebration.

The festival’s idea was simple but powerful; instead of seeing snow as a nuisance, people in Hokkaido would embrace it as part of their identity. Snow became art, and art brought people together.

From Local Fun to Global Fame

Through the years, the Sapporo Snow Festival continued to grow. In 1965, a second venue opened in Makomanai, and in 1972, the year Sapporo hosted the Winter Olympics, the festival gained worldwide attention. International visitors were amazed by the massive snow creations, some taller than buildings, some shaped like temples, famous landmarks, or even beloved cartoon characters.

By 1974, the International Snow Sculpture Contest began, welcoming teams from all over the world to showcase their skills. This turned the festival into a truly global event where art had no language barrier, just snow, creativity, and passion.

In the 1980s, another site was added in Susukino, Sapporo’s entertainment district, where shimmering ice sculptures joined the snowy masterpieces. The festival became a symbol of winter joy; blending Japanese craftsmanship, modern creativity, and international friendship.

For Travelers Planning Ahead

If you’re visiting Hokkaido in 2026, the Sapporo Snow Festival is the number one winter event you shouldn’t miss. It’s family-friendly, romantic, and full of unique local charm. Whether you come to take photos, try winter sports, or simply walk through glowing snow sculptures, it’s an experience you’ll remember for a lifetime.

And for those who want to make the most of it, plan your trip early. Book your flights, accommodation, and transportation in advance.

The Sapporo Snow Festival is supported by a number of major companies and local organizations, including DCM Co., Ltd., Hokusen Co., Ltd., Hokkaido Bank, Hokuyo Bank, Hokkaido Credit Guarantee Corporation, Sapporo Subcenter Development Corporation, The Life Insurance Association of Japan (Sapporo Branch), Dogin Card Co., Ltd., and Sapporo Chuo Urban Co., Ltd.

The Sapporo Snow Festival sponsors help make the event possible each year, from the creation of massive snow sculptures to the operation of festival venues and activities.

Surprising Things About the Sapporo Snow Festival

The snow sculptures are huge, literally building-sized
Many sculptures are carved by the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF)
It takes more than 30,000 tons of snow and not all of it comes from Sapporo
There is a snow sculpture competition with teams from around the world
The sculptures light up and change colors at night
Food stalls everywhere; It’s not just a “snow festival,” it’s a food festival too

Beyond the Sapporo Snow Festival, visitors can enjoy a variety of winter attractions throughout the city. For those interested in skiing and snowboarding, Sapporo Teine Ski Resort offers Olympic history and a wide range of courses for all skill levels, while Bankei Ski Resort provides a convenient, beginner-friendly option with night skiing and snowboard-focused facilities. Sapporo Moiwayama Ski Resort is another popular choice, known for its scenic slopes and panoramic night views of Sapporo City.

Winter travelers may also want to visit Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium, a historic venue from the 1972 Winter Olympics that offers impressive views of the city and insight into Sapporo’s winter sports heritage.

Together, these attractions make Sapporo an ideal destination for visitors who want to experience snow festivals, winter sports, and seasonal sightseeing; all within the city.