Sapporo Snow Festival 2027
A park full of snow sculptures, some as big as buildings.
Countdown to Sapporo Snow 2027
Dates
When is Sapporo Snow Festival?
Sapporo Snow Festival 2027 falls from Thursday, 4 February 2027 to Thursday, 11 February 2027.
Sapporo's official tourism site lists the 2027 festival for 4 to 11 February; individual site hours are still to be published.
Date checked against sapporo.travel
| Year | Dates | Length | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 – 11 February 2026Wed – Wed | 8 days | Past |
| 2027 | 4 – 11 February 2027Thu – Thu | 8 days | Confirmed |
See every festival by date in the 2026 festival calendar and 2027 festival calendar.
The story
What it is, and why it matters
- Type
- Art & Spectacle
- Tradition
- Secular & Civic
- Where
- Sapporo, Hokkaido
- Crowd
- One of Japan's largest winter events
- UNESCO
- Not inscribed
For a week every February, Sapporo's Odori Park becomes an open-air gallery of snow and ice sculptures, from small figures carved by local groups to huge illuminated structures.
The festival began in 1950, when local high-school students built a handful of snow statues in Odori Park. It grew quickly, and the city now organises sites across Sapporo, with the largest sculptures built by teams including Japan's Self-Defense Forces.
The Odori site stretches for over a kilometre through the city centre, with snow sculptures, stages and food stalls. Susukino, the nightlife district, hosts the ice sculptures, and the Tsudome site offers snow slides and activities for families.
Culture
Traditions, food and music of Sapporo Snow
Traditions
What actually happens
- Great snow sculptures — huge works, often replicas of famous buildings, lit after dark.
- The International Snow Sculpture Contest — teams from around the world compete in Odori Park.
- Susukino ice sculptures — carved blocks of ice, many with fish and objects frozen inside.
- Projection mapping — light shows on the largest sculptures in the evenings.
Food
The table, widened
- Hokkaido seafood, from grilled scallops to crab, at food stalls along Odori Park.
- Sapporo ramen, soup curry and hot corn and potato snacks.
Music
Sound of the crowd
Stages in Odori Park host concerts and performances, and the soundtrack of projection-mapping shows changes every year.
Religion
Why this date
None. The Sapporo Snow Festival is a civic winter event, created to bring life to the city in the coldest month.
History
How it survived
Japan's Self-Defense Forces joined the sculpture building in 1955. The International Snow Sculpture Contest began in 1974. The festival was cancelled in person in 2021 and 2022 because of the pandemic and resumed fully afterwards.
History
How it got here
Japan's Self-Defense Forces joined the sculpture building in 1955. The International Snow Sculpture Contest began in 1974. The festival was cancelled in person in 2021 and 2022 because of the pandemic and resumed fully afterwards.
1950
Six statues
Students build the first snow statues in Odori Park.
1955
Big builders
The Self-Defense Forces begin building large sculptures.
1974
Going global
The International Snow Sculpture Contest begins.
Today
Three sites
Odori, Susukino and Tsudome host events across the city.
Travel & practical
Visiting Sapporo for Sapporo Snow
Getting there
New Chitose Airport is about 40 minutes from Sapporo by the JR Rapid Airport train.
Best timing
Visit Odori Park once in daylight and again after dark, when the sculptures are lit.
Practical notes
Expect temperatures well below freezing. Shoe grips help on icy pavements, and hotels book up months ahead.
Plan the trip with free AltFTool tools
FAQ
Sapporo Snow Festival: common questions
Straight answers to what people ask most about Sapporo Snow Festival.
When is the Sapporo Snow Festival in 2026 and 2027?
The 76th festival ran from 4 to 11 February 2026 at the Odori and Susukino sites. The 77th festival is listed for 4 to 11 February 2027; Tsudome's dates and opening hours are set separately.
Is it free?
Yes, the main sites are free to visit, though some events and seating are paid.
When are the sculptures lit?
Every evening of the festival, typically until late.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes, especially the Tsudome site, with snow slides and play areas.
Also in February 2027
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