🕓 2026/1/26
#Tourist Destination
A Detailed Guide to the Sapporo Snow Festival
Table of Contents
- What Is the Sapporo Snow Festival?
- Highlights of the Sapporo Snow Festival
- Must-See Events and Performances
Introduction
The Sapporo Snow Festival is one of Japan’s most iconic winter events, a spectacular celebration of snow and ice art held every February in Sapporo, Hokkaido. In 2026, the festival is planned across three venues — Odori, Susukino, and Tsudome — with the Odori venue set to introduce a new production combining projection mapping with massive snow sculptures up to 15 meters tall. From towering snow sculptures and enchanting illuminations to a wide range of activities and Hokkaido’s renowned local cuisine, this winter extravaganza has something for everyone. Here we present the latest information for 2026.
In this article, we will provide a detailed look at what the Sapporo Snow Festival is all about, its top highlights, and the must-see events and performances you should not miss.
What Is the Sapporo Snow Festival?
The Sapporo Snow Festival is a premier winter event held every February in Sapporo, Hokkaido, and is one of Japan’s most celebrated seasonal festivals. Known worldwide as a spectacular snow and ice art festival, it draws over 2 million visitors from Japan and abroad, making it a truly large-scale event.
Its history dates back to 1950, when local junior high and high school students created and displayed six snow sculptures in Odori Park. Since then, the festival has grown in both scale and content, and is now recognized as one of the “World’s Three Greatest Snow Festivals.”
During the festival, a variety of snow and ice sculptures are displayed at multiple venues throughout Sapporo, attracting large crowds day and night. During the day, visitors can appreciate the impressive scale and intricate details of the snow and ice creations, while at night, the sculptures are illuminated to create a magical, dreamlike atmosphere.
The Sapporo Snow Festival is also notable for offering far more than artistic displays — visitors can enjoy a wide range of activities, local Hokkaido cuisine, and live performances. At the venues, guests can savor distinctive Hokkaido dishes and drinks while immersing themselves in a special winter wonderland experience.
The festival also hosts events like the International Snow Sculpture Contest, welcoming participants from around the world and serving as a venue for cross-cultural exchange. As a result, the Sapporo Snow Festival has evolved beyond a local celebration into a truly international event. Visitors are captivated by the grand art created from snow and ice while experiencing the brisk cold of Hokkaido firsthand.
Highlights of the Sapporo Snow Festival
The Sapporo Snow Festival is one of Japan’s largest winter events, held every February in Sapporo and attracting visitors from across Japan and around the world. The festival features three main venues — the Odori venue, the Susukino venue, and the Tsudome venue — each offering unique exhibitions and activities.
1. Highlights of the Odori Venue
Stretching approximately 1.5 kilometers from Nishi 1-chome to Nishi 10-chome in Odori Park, massive snow and ice sculptures line the avenue. Particularly noteworthy are the large snow sculptures crafted with different themes for each block — their intricate detail and sheer scale are truly breathtaking. At night, projection mapping transforms the sculptures into a fantastical display of light and color. Additionally, citizen-made snow sculptures and entries from the International Snow Sculpture Contest are also on display, offering a diverse array of snow art to enjoy.
2. Highlights of the Susukino Venue
Located in Sapporo’s bustling entertainment district of Susukino, this venue showcases ice sculptures of various sizes. The displays include ice carving contest entries, character-themed ice sculptures, and even ice sculptures with fish frozen inside them. At night, the sculptures are illuminated, and combined with the neon lights of the district, they create an enchanting atmosphere.
3. Highlights of the Tsudome Venue
Centered around the “Tsudome” community facility in Sapporo’s Higashi Ward, this venue is popular with families thanks to its hands-on attractions. From large tube slides to snow rafting, there is plenty of snow play for both children and adults to enjoy. Indoor spaces are also available, allowing visitors to take a break and enjoy meals without worrying about the cold.
4. Other Highlights
The observation deck of the Sapporo TV Tower, located at Nishi 1-chome in the Odori venue, offers a panoramic view of the entire festival grounds — especially stunning during the nighttime illuminations. Numerous food stalls serving Hokkaido’s famous local dishes are set up both inside and around the venues, giving visitors the chance to savor regional flavors. Additionally, there are many tourist attractions near each venue, making it easy to combine a visit to the Snow Festival with exploring the best of Sapporo in winter.
Must-See Events and Performances
The 2026 Sapporo Snow Festival features a diverse lineup of events and performances that captivate all who attend. Below are the key events and performances you should not miss.
1. Projection Mapping
The Odori venue features elaborate projection mapping shows every year. In 2026, the Nishi 5-chome venue presents “Thoroughbreds Racing to Sapporo,” a themed projection featuring imagery of thoroughbred horses galloping through Hokkaido’s famous landmarks. With surround sound, the experience is incredibly immersive.
2. Special Performance “Minamina”
On February 7, 2026, the Odori Nishi 8-chome “Snow HTB Square” hosts “Minamina,” a dance performance featuring Ainu tradition bearer Debo Akibe as the main performer. This one-night-only special stage fuses traditional Ainu dance with contemporary dance, offering prayers of gratitude to nature and wishes for world peace.
3. “That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime” Special Event
The large snow sculpture at the 2026 Sapporo Snow Festival Nishi 4-chome STV Square features “That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime.” A special event for this popular anime series is also planned, with voice actresses Miho Okasaki (Rimuru) and Megumi Toyoguchi (Raphael/Great Sage) appearing on stage — a must-see for fans.
4. “Yu-Gi-Oh!” Series “Dark Magician Girl” Snow Sculpture
At the same Nishi 6-chome venue, a snow sculpture of “Dark Magician Girl” from the anime “Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters” is also on display. This beloved monster, used by the series’ protagonist Yugi Muto, has been a fan favorite for years. The snow sculpture beautifully recreates her graceful and elegant form, making it a must-visit spot for anime fans.
5. Yukiita (Snow Board) Activity
Also at the Odori Nishi 1-chome venue, the “Yukiita Experience Activity” lets visitors try a new kind of snow sport — riding a wooden snow board on the snow without needing special boots, just snow boots. It offers the sensation of surfing or skateboarding on snow.
Latest Information for 2026
The 76th Sapporo Snow Festival was held over 8 days from February 4 (Wednesday) to February 11 (Wednesday, national holiday), 2026. The festival took place across three venues — the Odori venue (Nishi 1-chome to Nishi 11-chome), the Susukino venue, and the Tsudome venue — with the Sapporo Dome also serving as a special partner venue on February 7 and 8.
Five large snow sculptures were created, with highlights including the “Thoroughbred Crowned in Glory” at Odori Nishi 5-chome and the projection mapping on Tsuruga Castle drawing particular attention. At Nishi 11-chome, the International Snow Sculpture Contest and SNOW MIKU 2026 Special Light-Up were also held. Admission is free. The next festival is scheduled for February 4-11, 2027.
Summary
The Sapporo Snow Festival is a grand winter celebration that brings together snow and ice art with the food, culture, and experiences unique to Hokkaido. From masterfully crafted large snow sculptures and projection mapping lighting up the night sky, to the crystal-clear ice sculptures of Susukino, the family-friendly activities at Tsudome, and steaming bowls of seafood and ramen — the Sapporo Snow Festival offers unforgettable experiences found only in winter Sapporo. In 2026, with new productions and expanded areas, the festival is more exciting than ever. We highly recommend experiencing it in person.