Hakodate Christmas Fantasy (はこだてクリスマスファンタジー) runs from Tuesday, December 1 to Friday, December 25, 2026. A large Christmas tree floats on the water in front of the Red Brick Warehouses (赤レンガ倉庫群) in Hakodate's Bay Area. It's free to see, with no reservation needed.
The tree is lit from 4:30 to 10:00 pm, except for a 15-minute pause from 5:45 to 6:00 pm. When it's relit at 6:00 pm, fireworks go up, unless the wind is too strong. On the first night, December 1, the tree isn't lit until 6:00 pm.
On five nights, the 6:00 pm show is the larger JRA Special Fireworks: December 1, 19, 20, 24 and 25. For a weekend visit, aim for December 19 or 20.
The 6:00 pm show is the only fireworks show of the night, so be in front of the Red Brick Warehouses a little before 6:00.
2026 at a glance
Item | Details |
|---|---|
Dates | Tuesday, December 1 – Friday, December 25, 2026 |
Tree lit | 4:30–5:45 pm and 6:00–10:00 pm (from 6:00 pm on December 1) |
Fireworks | Every night at 6:00 pm (go/no-go decided on site, depending on wind) |
JRA Special Fireworks | December 1, 19, 20, 24 and 25, 6:00 pm |
Location | On the water in front of the Red Brick Warehouses (14-12 Suehirocho, Hakodate) |
Admission | Free, no reservation |
Nearest stop | Jujigai (十字街) streetcar stop, 7 minutes on foot |
Contact | Hakodate Christmas Fantasy Executive Committee, +81-138-27-3535 |
Hotels around Hakodate: availability and rates
The official site says times may change or the event may be canceled because of the weather, and it doesn't list a rain or snow date. On a stormy evening, check the site before you head out.
Evening schedule: 4:30 to 10:00 pm
Plan around the moment you want to see, and you'll spend less time standing in the cold.
Time | What's happening |
|---|---|
4:30 pm | Tree lights up (not on December 1); soup bar opens (every day) |
5:45 pm | Tree goes dark (not on December 1) |
6:00 pm | Tree relit with fireworks (first lighting on December 1) |
6:30 pm | Premium Red Tree, about 15 minutes |
7:30 pm | Premium Red Tree, about 15 minutes |
8:00 pm | Soup bar closes |
8:30 pm | Premium Red Tree, about 15 minutes |
10:00 pm | Tree goes dark |
The Premium Red Tree turns the whole tree red for about 15 minutes. The first one starts at 6:30 pm, so if you wait about half an hour after the fireworks, you'll catch it too.
In December, Hakodate's average daily low is -3.6°C (about 26°F), according to the Japan Meteorological Agency's 1991–2020 normals. Staying from the fireworks through the 8:30 pm red tree means close to three hours outdoors by the harbor, so bring gloves and a hat.
JRA Special Fireworks: Dec 1, 19, 20, 24 & 25
According to Hakobura (はこぶら), Hakodate City's official tourism site, the 6:00 pm fireworks become the "JRA Special Fireworks" on these five nights. Hakodate Racecourse (函館競馬場), run by the Japan Racing Association (JRA), sponsors them, and Hakobura describes them as a bigger show than usual.
- Tuesday, December 1 (opening night)
- Saturday, December 19 and Sunday, December 20 (the weekend)
- Thursday, December 24 and Friday, December 25 (Christmas)
The official site says whether fireworks go up is decided on the spot, based on wind and other conditions. The special nights are no exception, so a windy evening could still mean no show.
The soup bar: ¥700 a cup
Every day from 4:30 to 8:00 pm, a soup bar runs on the sidewalk in front of BAY Hakodate (BAYはこだて), part of the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses (金森赤レンガ倉庫). Local restaurants serve soups made with ingredients from southern Hokkaido, at ¥700 a cup, tax included.
Hakobura says you buy a ticket at the venue. The official listings don't say how you can pay, so bring some cash.
BAY Hakodate also hosts a Christmas market from November 21 to December 25. It's open 11:00 am to 7:00 pm on weekdays and 10:00 am to 7:00 pm on weekends and holidays.
Since the market closes at 7:00, go before the fireworks or in the half hour between the fireworks and the 6:30 pm red tree.
Getting there and parking
The closest stop is Jujigai (十字街) on the Hakodate streetcar. From the Hakodate-ekimae (函館駅前) stop, take a streetcar bound for Yachigashira (谷地頭) or Hakodate Dokku-mae (函館どつく前). The ride takes about 5 minutes, and the tree is a 7-minute walk from the stop.
Walking from JR Hakodate Station takes about 10 to 15 minutes. That's roughly the same as the streetcar once you add the 7-minute walk from the stop, but on snowy or icy evenings the streetcar means less time on slippery sidewalks. From Hakodate Airport, it's about 25 minutes by car.
There will be traffic restrictions around the venue, but as of November 9, the official site hasn't posted which roads close or when. There's no dedicated parking, and nearby paid lots are limited, so Hakobura and the Hokkaido Tourism Organization (北海道観光機構) recommend public transport.
If you drive, wait until the restrictions are posted and check that your route to the parking lot stays open.
One nearby option is the Times lot at the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses: ¥600 for the first hour, then ¥300 per 30 minutes, with a ¥500 cap overnight (6:00 pm to 9:00 am), according to the warehouses' access page.
Spend ¥1,000 or more on shopping or food at the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses and parking is free for up to two hours.
Pairing Hakodate with Sapporo
The Sapporo White Illumination starts on Friday, November 20, and its Odori Park venue runs until December 25. Between December 1 and 25, both are on, so one trip can cover them. In Hakodate, the tree stays lit until 10:00 pm, but plan to arrive by 6:00 pm if you want the fireworks.
This article was translated from the original Japanese with AI assistance and reviewed by our editorial team. The Japanese version is authoritative.