Tokyo Midtown in Roppongi lights up for MIDTOWN CHRISTMAS 2026, running from Thursday, November 26 to Friday, December 25, 2026. This season's theme is "Midwinter Night's Dream."
The main light display, MIDWINTER LIGHTS, and the roughly 8.5-meter Christmas tree are both free to see. The lounge and the skating rink are the only two that cost money.
Admission is free, and the lights are on every evening from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. during the event. Just note that each display ends on a different date, so check the end date for whatever you most want to see.
MIDTOWN CHRISTMAS 2026 begins on November 26. Want to see more of central Tokyo's winter illuminations? See our guide to Marunouchi Illumination 2026–2027, too.
Dates and Hours
The displays center on Midtown Garden, the lawn area behind the main complex. The key details:
Item | Details |
|---|---|
Event | MIDTOWN CHRISTMAS 2026 (theme: "Midwinter Night's Dream") |
Dates | November 26 – December 25, 2026 |
Hours | 5:00 p. |
Price | Free admission for the light displays (paid areas noted below) |
Venue | Tokyo Midtown, mainly Midtown Garden (Roppongi area, Minato City) |
The lights come on after dark, so it's easy to drop by after dinner or on the way home.
What You Can See for Free
Three main displays are free, with no ticket or reservation needed, and they all cluster around Midtown Garden.
- MIDWINTER LIGHTS: this season's centerpiece. A roughly four-minute show set to an original score moves through scenes like a snowy forest and an aurora.
- THE DREAMING TREE: a Christmas tree about 8.5 meters tall, made from a real fir.
- The light-lined walkway (Hikari no Sanpomichi): a passage wrapped in light that runs from the garden into the Plaza on the first floor.
A soap-bubble display also runs about every four minutes in Midtown Garden through December 20.
End Dates by Display
The different end dates are the easiest part to mix up. MIDTOWN CHRISTMAS as a whole runs to December 25, but the individual displays finish on different days. If you have your heart set on one, check the table below.
Display / Facility | Period | Price |
|---|---|---|
MIDWINTER LIGHTS (main lights) | Nov 26 – Dec 25 | Free |
THE DREAMING TREE (tree) | Nov 26 – Dec 25 | Free |
Soap-bubble display | Nov 26 – Dec 20 | Free |
MIDWINTER LOUNGE | Nov 26 – Dec 20 | Paid (purchase required) |
Light-lined walkway | Nov 26 – Feb 23, 2027 | Free |
RALPH LAUREN MIDTOWN ICE RINK | Dec 5 – Feb 23, 2027 | Paid |
The bubble display and lounge end on December 20, before Christmas. The walkway and rink run through February 23, so both stay open after the holidays.
One caveat: the official listing notes that the walkway's lighting hours are "subject to change." If you're coming just for the walkway after the main displays finish, especially in the new year, check that evening's hours on the official site before you go.
Paid Areas: the Lounge and the Ice Rink
Two parts of the event charge for entry: the MIDWINTER LOUNGE and the skating rink.
MIDWINTER LOUNGE is a special seating area set among the lights. To enter, you'll need to buy food or a drink, and it's open 4 p.m.–10 p.m. on weekdays and 3 p.m.–10 p.m. on weekends and holidays (last order 9:30 p.m.).
RALPH LAUREN MIDTOWN ICE RINK is an outdoor skating rink on the lawn, open from December 5 to February 23, 2027. Skating fees:
- Skating: ¥2,000 for adults (high school students and older) / ¥1,400 for children (junior high school students and younger)
- Holiday period (December 12, 2026 – January 3, 2027): ¥2,300 for adults / ¥1,700 for children
- Skate rental: ¥500
- Hours: 11 a.m.–9 p.m. (last entry 8 p.m.); closed on January 1, 2027
Getting There (Roppongi and Nogizaka)
Roppongi Station, on the Toei Oedo and Tokyo Metro Hibiya lines, links directly to Tokyo Midtown, so you can reach the complex without going outside. From Nogizaka or Roppongi-itchome, it's a short walk in the open air.
Either way, the main displays are outdoors in Midtown Garden.
- Toei Oedo Line, Roppongi Station: directly connected via Exit 8
- Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, Roppongi Station: linked by an underground passage (there are stairs in the passage, so the Oedo Line is easier with a stroller or wheelchair)
- Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line, Nogizaka Station: about 3 minutes on foot from Exit 3
- Tokyo Metro Namboku Line, Roppongi-itchome Station: about 10 minutes on foot from Exit 1
Roppongi Hills vs. Tokyo Midtown
The illumination along nearby Keyakizaka (けやき坂) is part of Roppongi Hills, a separate complex with a different operator. Its hours differ too: in 2026 the Roppongi Hills display stays on until 10 p.m., while the Tokyo Midtown displays run until 11 p.m. through December 25.
If you want to see both in one evening, do Roppongi Hills first, since it closes earlier, then walk over to Tokyo Midtown. Roppongi Hills sets its own dates and hours, though, so check its official site before you go.
Crowds and What to Wear
Weekends and the days around Christmas draw the biggest crowds. For quieter photos, aim for the first hour after the lights come on, around 5 p.m., or pick a weekday.
One planning note: last season (2025), the organizers changed viewing hours and restricted access to Midtown Garden for one day, November 19. Nothing has been announced for 2026 yet, so check the official news page before you head out.
It gets cold here in the evening. In central Tokyo, the overnight low averages around 9°C in November and can fall to about 4°C in December.
Since you'll be standing outside for a while, bring a warm coat, plus gloves and a scarf.
This article was translated from the original Japanese with AI assistance and reviewed by our editorial team. The Japanese version is authoritative.