As we enter the holiday season, Tokyo’s streets hum with Christmas holiday markets and temples prepare for the quiet reverence of New Year traditions. The season offers more than celebrations—it’s a chance to see the city shift between modern energy and cultural depth.

Whether you’re drawn to late-night music and New Year’s countdowns or the first shrine visits of the year, Tokyo has a rhythm that’s entirely its own. Here’s how to make the most of Christmas and New Year in Tokyo.

For more holiday activities, check out our other guides:

Tokyo Illumination Guide for 2025-2026

Azabudai Hills Christmas Market

The Azabudai Hills Christmas Market transforms the Central Green into a festive wonderland, with charming holiday huts lining the streets beyond a sparkling gate. Dine on European Christmas market food and drink, or buy glittering, charming trinkets for loved ones—handpicked from Japan and around the world.

Azabudai Hills
1 Chome Azabudai, Minato-ku
azabudai-hills.com

Christmas Market in Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse

Embrace the Christmas magic at the Christmas Market at Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse. Expect hot wine, juicy German sausages, jingling Christmas trinkets, and busy festive crowds. A large Christmas tree takes center stage within the iconic dockside complex.

Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse
1-1 Shinko, Naka-ku, Yokohama
yokohama-akarenga.jp

Candlelight: Christmas Pop Hits

Candlelight concerts transform striking venues across Tokyo into intimate, multi-sensory music spaces. This season, experience beloved Christmas pop hits performed live at Christ Shinagawa Church on December 26th, illuminated by the soft glow of candlelight.

Christ Shinagawa Church
4-7-40 Kitashinagawa, Shinagawa-ku
candlelightexperience.com

Christmas Services at Tokyo Union Church

Experience meaningful and welcoming Christmas services in the heart of Tokyo at Tokyo Union Church, one of the city’s oldest international congregations. Established in 1872, this historic church has long served as a community hub for English-language worship, bringing together people from around the world. For Christmas 2025, the church opens its doors for a series of services designed for different ways of celebrating the season, from family-friendly gatherings to candlelit carols.

Christmas Eve (Dec 24) Services:
5:30 pm (Family & Kid-Friendly)
7 pm (Christmas Carols & Candlelight)
8:30 pm (Christmas Carols & Candlelight)

Christmas Day (Dec 25) Service:
11 am (Communion)

Tokyo Union Church
5-7-7 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku
tokyounion.org

Tokyo Midtown Ice Rink

Tokyo Midtown’s outdoor ice skating rink returns! As one of the largest ice rinks in the city, it offers a chic space to enjoy a glide on real ice in the heart of Tokyo. A wonderful time for families, dates or friends.

Tokyo Midtown
9-7-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku
tokyo-midtown.com

ZEROTOKYO New Year’s Eve Countdown Party – Full details TBD

Ring in the New Year at ZEROTOKYO, Shinjuku Kabukicho’s iconic nightclub. Known for its electrifying atmosphere and dazzling performances, this annual countdown event promises a night of music, lights and celebration. Keep an eye on their official channels for updates.

ZEROTOKYO
1-29-1 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku
zerotokyo.jp

LIQUIDROOM New Year Party – Full details TBD

LIQUIDROOM’s New Year’s Eve party typically brings together a lineup of electronic music artists spanning generations. Join us in welcoming 2026 with a bang this New Year’s Eve at 8 pm. Headlined by Takkyu Ishino (Denki Groove), featuring OGRE YOU ASSHOLE, Odottee Bakari no Kuni, Dos Monos,
Pasocon Music Club, maya ongaku, Seiho, and more!

LIQUIDROOM
3-16-6 Higashi, Shibuya-ku
liquidroom.net

WOMB New Year Countdown

Shibuya’s countdown might be canceled, but WOMB’s countdown party is still going strong. With its cutting-edge sound system, mesmerizing lighting, lasers, and massive three-sided LED screens, WOMB sets the stage for an epic celebration. Join guests from across Japan and beyond to welcome the new year in style.

WOMB
2-16 Maruyama-cho, Shibuya-ku
womb.co.jp 

Z Countdown

On December 31, the year’s final moments unfold to the sound of Dutch melodic techno standout Patrice Bäumel. With a refined, immersive style shaped by labels like Kompakt and Afterlife, his deep grooves and elegant melodies guide the transition from 2025 into the first pulse of 2026.

Z MARUYAMA
1F Dr. Jeekahn’s Bldg, 2-4 Maruyamacho, Shibuya-ku
z-maruyama.jp

New Year’s at Disneyland

Although Disneyland and DisneySea are arguably among the most magical places on Earth, the childhood nostalgia and wonder are ramped up even more over the New Year in the Tokyo parks. Welcome 2026 with fireworks, parades and live shows featuring all your favorite Disney characters.

Tokyo Disneyland
1-1 Maihama, Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture
tokyodisneyresort.jp

Hatsumode in Asakusa

Hatsumode means the first shrine or temple visit of the year. Greet 2026 at one of Tokyo’s major temples in a traditional Japanese way. While fireworks light up celebrations in many parts of the world, Japan welcomes the year with prayers at cultural landmarks like Asakusa’s Senso-ji Temple. Read more about New Year traditions in our guide to Hatsunohide.

Senso-ji Temple
4-7-35 Shibakoen, Minato-ku
senso-ji.jp

Hatsunohide at Tokyo Sky Tree

Cramped high-rises in the cities obscure natural views and people yearn to be somewhere ‘a bit special’ for New Year. City dwellers hoping to catch a glimpse of hatsuhinode often head outside the city. Those who can’t make it out can buy exclusive tickets to the highest buildings — Tokyo Sky Tree, for instance, sells a limited amount of hatsuhinode tickets.

Tokyo Sky Tree
1-1-2 Oshiage, Shimoda-ku
Tokyo-skytree.jp

Christmas Afternoon Tea “Santa’s Workshop”

The Kimpton Shinjuku Tokyo excels itself once again this year with a cozy, handcrafted celebration inspired by the warmth and joy of the holiday season. Each sweet is thoughtfully created to capture scenes from Santa’s workshop, filled with creativity and festive cheer. Celebrate the spirit of giving and warmth with a mesmerizing Snow Dome Chocolat performance and a festive Merry Rouge cocktail.

Kimpton Shinjuku Tokyo
3-4-7 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
kimptonshinjuku.com

One to Watch: Christmas Kakigori in Kichijoji

As shops around the city race to reinvent the humble art of shaving ice for a smattering of social media shares, Cafe Lumiere, a small bohemian outpost overlooking Kichijoji Station, has left its competition in the dust with a truly radical approach: set the ice on fire. The kakigori at Cafe Lumiere is coated with a fluffy meringue by the time it arrives at your table. Soon after, you’re visited by a server wielding a jigger of Myers’s rum and a lighter. The sight of flames engulfing an alcohol-soaked mound of ice is equal parts exhilarating and arbitrary. Please keep an eye on their Instagram to see if they bring it out again this year!

If you’re looking for more dessert places in Tokyo, check out our full guide to kakigori in Tokyo.

Cafe Lumiere Kichijoji
1-2-2 Kichijoji Minamicho, Musashino-shi
@cafe_lumiere_kichiyoji

ÔTerroirs – A Piedmont Christmas Wine Dinner

Celebrate the festive season with a Piedmont Christmas Wine Dinner, an elegant evening dedicated to one of Italy’s most celebrated wine regions. Marking a special 3rd anniversary, the night features a six-course Italian dinner paired with exceptional Piedmont wines, alongside an insightful presentation by Frédéric Cayuela, DipWSET. Expect Barolo, great food and plenty of reasons to raise a glass.

Tanto Tanto The Gardens Gotanda
Mitsui Garden Hotel Gotanda 1F
oterroirs.jp

Odaiba Rainbow Fireworks

Watch colorful fireworks light up Tokyo Bay during the Odaiba Rainbow Fireworks, a December highlight that paints the winter sky above the Rainbow Bridge. The show runs on select Saturday evenings in December, including Christmas Eve. It’s one of the most romantic winter night experiences in Tokyo—best viewed from Odaiba Marine Park or the Decks Tokyo Beach area.

Odaiba Marine Park
1-4 Daiba, Minato-ku
tokyo-odaiba.net

Dezomeshiki – New Year Firefighters’ Parade

Kick off early January with one of Japan’s most striking traditional events: the Dezomeshiki. Tokyo’s fire brigades perform daring acrobatic stunts atop bamboo ladders and demonstrate modern firefighting techniques. The event is more than just stunts; it’s a centuries-old New Year’s tradition and is held around Tokyo Big Sight in Odaiba, attracting thousands each year. Tokyo was once known as the City of Fires, so it’s no surprise that this tradition has been practiced since the Edo period.

Tokyo Big Sight / Odaiba Area
3-11-1 Ariake, Koto-ku
web-japan.org

Geikosai New Year’s Festival

Countdown in the Sky at MIXX Bar & Lounge

Ring in 2026 high above the city at ANA InterContinental Tokyo’s MIXX Bar & Lounge countdown party. Located on the 36th floor, this New Year’s Eve celebration pairs panoramic views of the Tokyo skyline with a live DJ, champagne, and elevated bites. Their VIP table for 2–4 guests, including Dom Pérignon, a savoury-and-sweet party box and a luxurious seafood platter.

ANA InterContinental Tokyo—MIXX Bar & Lounge (36F)
1-12-33 Akasaka, Minato-ku
anaintercontinental-tokyo.jp

2026 New Year’s Eve Countdown Party at Atrium Lounge

Another relaxed elegance event at ANA InterContinental Tokyo’s Atrium Lounge. This cozy countdown party on the 2nd floor offers a live DJ and plenty of champagne to toast the arrival of 2026. Reserve a table for up to four guests, including a bottle of Moët & Chandon Champagne, and upgrade with a free-flow drinks package—covering champagne, wine, cocktails, and soft drinks—or share a generous savoury stand for two.

ANA InterContinental Tokyo – Atrium Lounge (2F)
1-12-33 Akasaka, Minato-ku
anaintercontinental-tokyo.jp

COUNTDOWN PIGGS Countdown Party

COUNTDOWN PIGGS 2025–2026 is a New Year’s Eve live event at UNIT Tokyo in Daikanyama, kicking off late on December 31 with a high-energy performance by PIGGS. The show opens at 22:15 with music starting at 23:00, offering fans a vibrant way to celebrate the arrival of 2026. Tickets are available in advance and at the door, and the event is strictly for guests aged 20 and over.

UNIT Tokyo
ZaHOUSE, 1-34-17 Ebisu-Nishi, Shibuya-ku
unit-tokyo.com