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The Sapporo Snow Festival is the one winter event in Japan that people plan a whole trip around. The 77th edition runs from Thursday, February 4 to Thursday, February 11, 2027 (a national holiday), at three sites in and around central Sapporo. Entry is free. This page covers the dates, what each site is for, how the 2026 hours worked, what to wear, and the part most people get wrong: the hotel.
Dates and the three sites
| Site | Where | 2026 hours | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odori | Odori Park, West 1 to West 11 blocks | Open all day; lit until 22:00 | The large snow sculptures |
| Susukino | Ekimae-dori, South 4 to South 7 | Open all day; lit until 23:00 (22:00 last day) | An evening walk in the nightlife district |
| Tsudome | Tsudome sports facility, north of the centre | 10:00–16:00 | Families: snow slides and play areas |
All three sites run for the same eight days. The hours above are the 2026 figures from the festival's FAQ; the 2027 hours had not been published when we checked on October 5, 2026, so confirm them closer to the date. Tsudome may stop admitting people early when it is busy.
Getting there
From New Chitose Airport, the JR Rapid Airport train reaches Sapporo Station in 37 minutes at the fastest (33 minutes on the Special Rapid) for ¥1,230. Odori Station, on all three subway lines, puts you straight into the main site. For Tsudome, the festival runs a shuttle bus from Sakae-machi Station on the Toho Line, or it is about a 15-minute walk.
Day or night? Both
Odori Park is a public park, so you can walk the sculptures at any hour. By day you see the detail and the carving teams; after dark the large sculptures are lit until 22:00, and the whole park looks different. If you only have one evening, walk Odori first, then continue south to Susukino, which stays lit an hour later. For the full length of the park in one view, go up the Sapporo TV Tower at the east end of Odori.
Crowds
The festival drew a record 2.737 million visitors in 2019, so expect company. In 2027 the busiest days are likely to be the weekend of February 6–7 and the closing holiday on the 11th. Weekday mornings are calmest at Odori, and late evenings are quieter than the hour after dark.
What to wear
- Layers under a warm coat. The festival's own FAQ gives an average of −2.3°C for the period, and you will be standing outside for hours.
- Hat, ear covers and gloves. Your hands get cold fastest when you take photos.
- Boots with grip. Pavements turn to packed ice. Slip-on ice grips are sold in Sapporo for around ¥1,000 and are worth it.
Where to stay, and why to book now
Stay near Odori, Susukino or Sapporo Station so you can walk back after the evening light-up instead of queuing for a taxi in the snow. Rooms for festival week fill early and prices rise as the date approaches, so book as soon as your flights are fixed, and choose a rate you can cancel if your plans are not certain.
Add a day beyond Sapporo
Sapporo makes a good base for more winter scenery. Otaru, with its canal and old warehouses, is an easy half day by JR. The Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival south of the city runs only in the coldest weeks, and a guided half-day tour saves you driving on icy roads. For the wider picture, see our Hokkaido winter guide and things to do in Japan in winter.
When is the Sapporo Snow Festival 2027?
The 77th festival runs from Thursday, February 4 to Thursday, February 11, 2027, at the Odori, Susukino and Tsudome sites.
Is the Sapporo Snow Festival free?
Yes. The official FAQ says entry to all sites is free.
What time are the sculptures lit up?
In 2026, Odori was lit until 22:00 and Susukino until 23:00 (22:00 on the last day), while Tsudome was open 10:00–16:00. The 2027 hours had not been published as of October 5, 2026.
