🎎 Sapporo White Illumination Festival

To adorn the winter nights of Sapporo, the "Sapporo White Illumination Festival" has been held since 1981 (Showa 56) and will celebrate its 43rd edition in 2023. The five venues are decorated with colorful lights featuring different design themes, enveloping the entire city in a dreamlike atmosphere. At the main venue, Odori Park, a "Wish Bird" adorned with dual-winged lights is placed in front of the TV Tower, along with "Winter Flowers" designed in the shapes of Hokkaido flowers such as lilacs, lilies of the valley, and beach pears, as well as the "Ice and Snow Fantasia," where visitors can stroll through a corridor of snowflake-shaped lights. Each area features various themed three-dimensional artworks. The trees along the Stand Front Avenue, South 1st Avenue, and Sapporo City North 3rd Plaza are also adorned with dazzling lights, making them a sight to behold. In the cold winter, the light reflected off the snow surface appears even more enchanting and romantic. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the sister city relationship between Sapporo and Munich, the "Munich Christmas Market" will be held at West 2nd Avenue in Odori Park simultaneously with the Sapporo White Illumination Festival. The market will sell Christmas-themed products from Munich, as well as warm beverages like mulled wine, German beer, roasted chicken, sausages, and other foods to warm the cold body.

The Sapporo Winter Classic event, which began in 1981, celebrates its 43rd edition in 2023. The lantern festival is held at the Odori venue and five other locations within the city. Each area of the Odori venue features uniquely styled three-dimensional works that are not to be missed. The snowy period adds to the dreamlike atmosphere. During the event, the "Munich Christmas Market" is also held simultaneously at West 2-chome in Odori Park.