Christmas, New Year and January events

December, 18th 2018

There’s no better place to celebrate a Christmas and New Year than Niseko! There’s always snow and a very good chance of fresh snowfall, giving you a high chance of a magical white Christmas. Take a peek at a few of the things going on throughout the festive season and the rest of December and January. Also keep an eye on the Niseko Tourism events page to see what’s going on during your Niseko holiday.

Santa Claus is coming to town

Just because you’re on holidays, doesn’t mean Santa will forget you! He’ll be doing the rounds at Hanazono between 22-25 December, Grand Hirafu from 23-24 December, Annupuri from 24-25 December and Niseko Village on 24 December, so make sure you pay him a visit and let him know that you’ve been good this year!

Christmas and New Year fireworks

The night skies will be lighting up across the resort on Christmas Eve, with fireworks displays on at Grand Hirafu and Niseko Village. Then, to see out 2018, Grand Hirafu will have fireworks and a New Year countdown on New Years Eve, as well as the annual torchlight ski run – where hundreds of skiers make their way down the slopes of Hirafu holding flaming torches. It’s a spectacle not to miss!

New Year Celebrations

New Year celebrations in Japan are a big deal (read more here) and there will be plenty to do on January 1 to ring in the New Year. Watch the New Year first sunrise at Niseko Village and join in on the Kagami Biraki ceremony and Yotei Daiko taiko drummers at Hanazono.

December Highlights

December 17 & 18 – “A Land Shaped by Women” movie screening, Gentem Café

December 19-25 – Jumbo quad-lift Christmas illumination at Annupuri

December 22 – Freeride session with pro rider Wakana Hama, Grand Hirafu

December 22-25 – Santa visits Hanazono at Hanazono 308

December 23-24 – Santa visits Grand Hirafu

December 24-25 – Santa visits Annupuri

December 24 – Santa visits Niseko Village (Hilton NV 16:50-17:20, Green Leaf Hotel 18:00-18:40), with reindeer photos outside Hilton from 17:30-17:45.

December 24 – Christmas fireworks (Grand Hirafu and Niseko Village)

December 31 – New Year Countdown, fireworks and torchlight skiing (Grand Hirafu), New Year’s Eve fireworks (Niseko Village), New Year’s Eve fireworks and torchlight skiing (Annupuri)

January highlights

January 1 – Kagami Biraki Opening Ceremony at Hanazono, 10am

January 1 – New Year’s First Sunrise Gondola (Niseko Village Gondola, 6:15am)

January 1 – Kagami Biraki at Hirafu, rice-cake making at Niseko Alpen Hotel

January 1-3 – First Runs early lifts at Annupuri 7:20am, hot cocoa service at Annupuri, 2pm at Gondola station

January 2 – Hanazono New Year Fun Jump competition

12 January – Ski Day at Annupuri, 10% off ski school

Remember to keep an eye on the Niseko Tourism events page to find out the latest information on events in Niseko year round!

For individual resort events:

Annupuri | Niseko Village | Grand Hirafu | Hanazono