For 2026, we confirmed 12 Christmas events for kids in Fukuoka. The season opens on November 2 with Nakasu Hikari no Advent and runs until January 31 with Watanabe-dori Illumination. Of these, 10 are free. Every listing links straight to the host. This page is part of our guide to Christmas events for kids in Japan.
The short version
- Kids’ Christmas events confirmed for 2026 in Fukuoka: 12
- First: Nakasu Hikari no Advent, Fukuoka, November 2
- Free events: Christmas Market in Hakata, City of Light (Christmas Advent 2026), KBC FESTA de SANTA, Forest of Light (Hikari no Forest), Watanabe-dori Illumination, Christmas Gate Park in Fukuoka Daimyo Garden City, Christmas Market in Passage and more
Below is every event we could confirm, grouped by town, with the date, time, cost and the small things parents ask about (registration, ages, what is included).
At a glance: Christmas events for kids in Fukuoka
- Kids’ Christmas events
- 12 confirmed for 2026
- Towns
- Fukuoka
- Season
- November 2 to January 31
- Free events
- 10
- Last checked
What are you looking for?
All 12 events
Nothing matches yet. Try another kind of event, or .
Rally’s Christmas research
Rally the corgi has 11 more Fukuoka events researched for you.
- New events every week We research new events daily and send you one email a week with the new ones we find in Fukuoka.
- Exclusive access to free events Be first to hear about new free events in Fukuoka.
- Start your magical Christmas season now Every event appears the moment you enter your email.
- Rally’s Christmas Eve Express and a free advent calendar Get early access to Rally the corgi’s Christmas Eve tracker, plus a free digital advent calendar to count down to Christmas.
- One-tap add to calendar Save any event to your Google, Apple or Outlook calendar so you never miss it.
Waiting inside
- 8 Lights
- 8 Markets
- 3 Shows
- 1 Santa
- 10 Free
Enter your email and they’ll all appear instantly.
The Christmas magic awaits
Enter your email to get Christmas event alerts all season and unlock the details of 11 Christmas events in Fukuoka.
- New events in Fukuoka every week
- Exclusive access to free events
- Your magical Christmas season starts now
- Christmas Eve Express and free advent calendar
- One-tap add to calendar
Free Christmas events for kids in Fukuoka
Christmas marketFree
Christmas Market in Hakata, City of Light (Christmas Advent 2026)
- When: Sat, Nov 7 to Fri, Dec 25, weekdays 4 pm to 11 pm, weekends and holidays noon to 11 pm
- Where: JR Hakata Station Plaza, 福岡市博多区博多駅中央街1-1, Fukuoka (opens in maps)
- Cost: Free entry
Expand to see the parent tip
Christmas Advent 2026 (formerly the Fukuoka Christmas Market) is held at several venues in Fukuoka and Kitakyushu, with the 2026 theme "A Christmas to enjoy with all five senses." The JR Hakata Station Plaza venue runs from Nov 7 to Dec 25, open 4 pm to 11 pm on weekdays and noon to 11 pm on weekends and holidays.
Entry is free. It is right in front of the station, so you can come by train and stop in right away.
Parent tip: On weekends it opens at noon, so with small children, going while it is still light makes it easier to avoid the crowds.
- Host
- Christmas Advent Executive Committee (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- JR Hakata Station Plaza, 福岡市博多区博多駅中央街1-1, Fukuoka (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
New events in Fukuoka every week
Rally looks for new Christmas events in Fukuoka every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.
Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)
Rally’s Christmas research
Rally the corgi has 11 more Fukuoka events researched for you.
- New events every week We research new events daily and send you one email a week with the new ones we find in Fukuoka.
- Exclusive access to free events Be first to hear about new free events in Fukuoka.
- Unlock the filters Find Santa visits, free events and weekend plans in one tap.
- Rally’s Christmas Eve Express and a free advent calendar Get early access to Rally the corgi’s Christmas Eve tracker, plus a free digital advent calendar to count down to Christmas.
- One-tap add to calendar Save any event to your Google, Apple or Outlook calendar so you never miss it.
Coming up on this page
- 8 Lights
- 8 Markets
- 3 Shows
- 1 Santa
- 10 Free
Enter your email to get new Christmas events in Fukuoka every week.
Christmas lightsFree
KBC FESTA de SANTA
- When: Wed, Nov 11 to Fri, Dec 25, weekdays 5 pm to 10 pm, weekends and holidays noon to 10 pm
- Where: In front of the former Fukuoka Prefectural Public Hall Guest House (Kihinkan), 福岡市中央区西中洲6-29 (opens in maps)
- Cost: Free entry
Expand to see the parent tip
KBC FESTA de SANTA is one of the venues of Christmas Advent 2026. More than 100 Santa Clauses from around the world stand in front of the former Fukuoka Prefectural Public Hall Guest House. It runs from Nov 11 to Dec 25.
The market is open 5 pm to 10 pm on weekdays and noon to 10 pm on weekends and holidays, and the illumination stays lit until midnight. Entry is free.
Parent tip: It is fun to compare the Santas from around the world and guess with your kids which country each one is from.
- Host
- Christmas Advent Executive Committee (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- In front of the former Fukuoka Prefectural Public Hall Guest House (Kihinkan), 福岡市中央区西中洲6-29 (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
New events in Fukuoka every week
Rally looks for new Christmas events in Fukuoka every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.
Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)
Christmas lightsFree
Forest of Light (Hikari no Forest)
- When: Thu, Nov 12 to Fri, Dec 25, weekdays 5 pm to 10 pm, weekends and holidays noon to 10 pm (illumination until midnight)
- Where: Tenjin Central Park, 福岡市中央区天神1丁目1, Fukuoka (opens in maps)
- Cost: Free entry (the circus is free too)
Expand to see the parent tip
Forest of Light is the Tenjin Central Park venue of Christmas Advent 2026. From Nov 12 to Dec 25, the market is open 5 pm to 10 pm on weekdays and noon to 10 pm on weekends and holidays, and the illumination stays lit until midnight.
From Nov 17 to Dec 19, there is a free outdoor circus, "REVERIE," with two shows a day at 6:15 pm and 8:25 pm, each about 30 minutes. It is canceled in rain or severe weather.
Parent tip: The 6:15 pm show is an easier time for small children. It is canceled in the rain, so check the weather before you go.
- Host
- Christmas Advent Executive Committee (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Tenjin Central Park, 福岡市中央区天神1丁目1, Fukuoka (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
New events in Fukuoka every week
Rally looks for new Christmas events in Fukuoka every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.
Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)
Christmas lightsFree
Watanabe-dori Illumination
- When: Thu, Nov 12 to Sun, Jan 31, 2027, 5 pm to midnight
- Where: Watanabe-dori (from the Watanabe-dori 1-chome intersection to the Tenjin intersection), 福岡市中央区渡辺通, Fukuoka (opens in maps)
- Cost: Free entry
Expand to see the parent tip
The Watanabe-dori Illumination is part of Christmas Advent and lights up the street from the Watanabe-dori 1-chome intersection to the Tenjin intersection. It runs for a long time, from Nov 12, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027, lit from 5 pm to midnight.
The nearest stations are Watanabe-dori and Tenjin-Minami on the Nanakuma subway line and Tenjin on the Airport Line. You see it by walking along the street, so it is easy with a stroller, and you can go around the New Year as well as around Christmas.
Parent tip: You view it while walking along the sidewalk, so dress warmly in winter.
- Host
- Christmas Advent Executive Committee (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Watanabe-dori (from the Watanabe-dori 1-chome intersection to the Tenjin intersection), 福岡市中央区渡辺通, Fukuoka (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
New events in Fukuoka every week
Rally looks for new Christmas events in Fukuoka every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.
Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)
Christmas lightsFree
Christmas Gate Park in Fukuoka Daimyo Garden City
- When: Fri, Nov 13 to Fri, Dec 25, weekdays 5 pm to 10 pm, weekends and holidays noon to 10 pm
- Where: Fukuoka Daimyo Garden City Plaza, 福岡市中央区大名2-6-50 (opens in maps)
- Cost: Free entry
Expand to see the parent tip
One of the venues of Christmas Advent, set in the plaza of Fukuoka Daimyo Garden City. From Nov 13 to Dec 25, 2026, it is open 5 pm to 10 pm on weekdays and noon to 10 pm on weekends and holidays. Entry to the market is announced as free.
The nearest station is Akasaka, about a 4-minute walk, and Tenjin Station is about 8 minutes away. The illumination is lit from the evening when it gets dark, so with small children, going early makes it easier to avoid the crowds.
Parent tip: It opens at noon on weekends and holidays. Evenings get crowded, so an early time is best.
- Host
- Christmas Advent Executive Committee (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Fukuoka Daimyo Garden City Plaza, 福岡市中央区大名2-6-50 (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
New events in Fukuoka every week
Rally looks for new Christmas events in Fukuoka every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.
Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)
Christmas marketFree
Christmas Market in Passage
- When: Fri, Nov 13 to Fri, Dec 25, weekdays 4 pm to 9 pm, weekends and holidays noon to 9 pm
- Where: Fukuoka Daimaru Elgala Passage Plaza, 福岡市中央区天神1-4-1 (opens in maps)
- Cost: Free entry
Expand to see the parent tip
One of the venues of Christmas Advent, held in the Passage Plaza at Fukuoka Daimaru Elgala from Nov 13 to Dec 25, 2026. Hours are 4 pm to 9 pm on weekdays and noon to 9 pm on weekends and holidays, with last orders at 8:45 pm. Entry to the market is free.
It is about a 1-minute walk from Tenjin-Minami Station and about 5 minutes from Tenjin Station, so it is easy to reach by train. It suits a stop between shopping and meals to see the decorations with your kids.
Parent tip: It is about a 1-minute walk from Tenjin-Minami Station. On weekends and holidays it opens at noon, so you can go in the bright daytime.
- Host
- Christmas Advent Executive Committee (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Fukuoka Daimaru Elgala Passage Plaza, 福岡市中央区天神1-4-1 (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
New events in Fukuoka every week
Rally looks for new Christmas events in Fukuoka every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.
Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)
Christmas marketFree
Christmas Market in AEON MALL Kashiihama
- When: 13 days, mostly weekends and holidays, from Sat, Nov 14 to Sun, Dec 20, noon to 7 pm
- Where: AEON MALL Kashiihama Kakehashi Plaza, 福岡市東区香椎浜3-12-1, Fukuoka (opens in maps)
- Cost: Free entry
Expand to see the parent tip
One of the venues of Christmas Advent, held at Kakehashi Plaza in AEON MALL Kashiihama. The dates in 2026 are Nov 14, 15, 21, 22, 23, 28 and 29, and Dec 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20, from noon to 7 pm.
The venue is inside a shopping mall, so it is easy to go on a rainy day and to combine with shopping with kids. The nearest Nishitetsu bus stops are "AEON MALL Kashiihama" or "Kashiihama Chuo."
Parent tip: It is held only on certain days, mostly weekends, so check the dates before you go.
- Host
- Christmas Advent Executive Committee (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- AEON MALL Kashiihama Kakehashi Plaza, 福岡市東区香椎浜3-12-1, Fukuoka (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
New events in Fukuoka every week
Rally looks for new Christmas events in Fukuoka every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.
Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)
Christmas lightsFree
TENJIN CHRISTMAS ADVENT
- When: Sat, Nov 14 to Sat, Dec 26 (closed Nov 28 and 29), weekdays 5 pm to 11 pm, weekends and holidays noon to 11 pm
- Where: Fukuoka City Hall West Fureai Hiroba, 福岡市中央区天神1-8-1 (opens in maps)
- Cost: Free entry
Expand to see the parent tip
TENJIN CHRISTMAS ADVENT is the Tenjin venue of Christmas Advent 2026. It is held in the plaza on the west side of Fukuoka City Hall from Nov 14 to Dec 26. It is closed on Nov 28 and 29.
Hours are 5 pm to 11 pm on weekdays and noon to 11 pm on weekends and holidays, and entry is free.
Parent tip: It is closed on Nov 28 and 29, so if you go that weekend, choose the Tenjin Central Park or Hakata Station venue instead.
- Host
- Christmas Advent Executive Committee (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Fukuoka City Hall West Fureai Hiroba, 福岡市中央区天神1-8-1 (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
New events in Fukuoka every week
Rally looks for new Christmas events in Fukuoka every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.
Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)
Christmas showFree
Christmas Circus "REVERIE"
- When: Tue, Nov 17 to Sat, Dec 19, two shows a day (starting at 6:15 pm and 8:25 pm, 30 minutes each)
- Where: Tenjin Central Park Special Stage, 福岡市中央区天神1-1, Fukuoka (opens in maps)
- Cost: Free entry
Expand to see the parent tip
The Christmas circus "REVERIE" is held on a special stage at the "Forest of Light" in Tenjin Central Park. From Nov 17 to Dec 19, 2026, there are two shows a day, starting at 6:15 pm and 8:25 pm, each 30 minutes, and watching is free. Performers from Japan, Colombia, Italy and Spain are announced.
There are no shows on Fridays and Saturdays, with Dec 18 and 19 listed as exceptions. It is canceled in rain or severe weather.
Parent tip: It is an evening show, so dress warmly. For small children, the earlier 6:15 pm show is best.
- Host
- Craftia (Christmas Advent Executive Committee) (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Tenjin Central Park Special Stage, 福岡市中央区天神1-1, Fukuoka (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
New events in Fukuoka every week
Rally looks for new Christmas events in Fukuoka every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.
Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)
Christmas marketFree
Christmas Market ICE WORLD in Momochihama
- When: Fri, Nov 20 to Wed, Jan 6, 2027, weekdays 5 pm to 9 pm, weekends and holidays noon to 9 pm
- Where: Ryokudo Plaza in front of Fukuoka Tower, 福岡市早良区百道浜2-3-3 (opens in maps)
- Cost: Free entry
Expand to see the parent tip
A Christmas market held in Ryokudo Plaza in front of Fukuoka Tower in Momochihama. From Nov 20, 2026 to Jan 6, 2027, it is open 5 pm to 9 pm on weekdays and noon to 9 pm on weekends and holidays. Entry to the market is free.
From Nishijin Station on the subway Airport Line, take a Nishitetsu bus toward "Fukuoka Tower." On weekends and holidays, when it opens at midday, you can take your time looking around with kids in the daylight.
Parent tip: You can take a Nishitetsu bus from Nishijin Station to Fukuoka Tower. It opens at noon on weekends and holidays.
- Host
- Christmas Advent Executive Committee (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Ryokudo Plaza in front of Fukuoka Tower, 福岡市早良区百道浜2-3-3 (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
New events in Fukuoka every week
Rally looks for new Christmas events in Fukuoka every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.
Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)
Ticketed and paid Christmas events for kids in Fukuoka
Admission, tickets or a fee apply. Where a host has not posted a price yet, the listing says so.
The #1 spot Event hosts: free events are listed first. One featured spot puts your event at the very top of this page.Ask about the #1 spot
Christmas lights
Nakasu Hikari no Advent
- When: Mon, Nov 2 to Tue, Jan 12, 2027, 5 pm to 1 am
- Where: Fukuhaku Deai Bridge, 福岡市中央区西中洲, Fukuoka (opens in maps)
- Cost: Check the price with the host
Expand to see the parent tip
Nakasu Hikari no Advent is the illumination in the Nakasu area for Christmas Advent 2026. The venue is Fukuhaku Deai Bridge over the Naka River, lit from 5 pm to 1 am, from Nov 2 to Jan 12, 2027.
It is about a 5-minute walk from Nakasu-Kawabata Station on the subway. It is also close to the Forest of Light at Tenjin Central Park and the area in front of the former Fukuoka Prefectural Public Hall Guest House (KBC FESTA de SANTA), so you can visit them together.
Parent tip: You will be walking on a bridge by the river at night, so bring an extra layer for the kids.
- Host
- Christmas Advent Executive Committee (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Fukuhaku Deai Bridge, 福岡市中央区西中洲, Fukuoka (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
New events in Fukuoka every week
Rally looks for new Christmas events in Fukuoka every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.
Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)
Christmas show
Christmas in the Sea
- When: Tue, Dec 1 to Fri, Dec 25, 9:30 am to 5:30 pm (open until 9 pm on Dec 24 and 25)
- Where: Marine World Uminonakamichi, 福岡市東区西戸崎18-28, Fukuoka 811-0321 (opens in maps)
- Cost: Adults 2,500 yen, elementary and junior high students 1,200 yen, age 3 and up 700 yen
Expand to see the parent tip
Marine World Uminonakamichi holds "Christmas in the Sea" from Dec 1 to 25. The dolphin and sea lion shows are at 11:30 am, 1:30 pm and 3 pm, and the dolphin show and the sardine show have Christmas versions. The evening shows on Dec 24 and 25 add sound and light effects.
After the 1 pm feeding at the big tank, you can have your photo taken with a Santa diver. There is also a photo corner after the shows, first come, first served: 10 groups on weekdays and 15 groups on weekends and holidays. Admission is 2,500 yen for adults, 1,200 yen for elementary and junior high students and 700 yen for ages 3 and up. On Dec 24 and 25 it is open until 9 pm, with last entry at 8 pm.
Parent tip: If you drive, parking is 600 yen. It is about a 5-minute walk from Umi-no-Nakamichi Station on the JR Kashii Line. The photo corner is first come, first served, so line up right after the show.
- Host
- Marine World Uminonakamichi (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Marine World Uminonakamichi, 福岡市東区西戸崎18-28, Fukuoka 811-0321 (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
New events in Fukuoka every week
Rally looks for new Christmas events in Fukuoka every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.
Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)
More Christmas events for kids in Japan
- Christmas events for kids in Tokyo
- Christmas events for kids in Osaka
- Christmas events for kids in Chiba
- Christmas events for kids in Yokohama
- Christmas events for kids in Sapporo
- Christmas events for kids in Saitama
- Christmas events for kids in Nagoya
- Christmas events for kids in Machida
- Christmas events for kids in Sendai
- Christmas events for kids in Okayama
- Christmas events for kids in Nishinomiya
- Christmas events for kids in Japan
A story for the trip home
Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents. It is a cozy story to share on the way home after a big day out.
A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolor. Ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon.com (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Fukuoka: questions parents ask
What are the 2026 Christmas events for kids in Fukuoka?
For 2026, we confirmed 12 Christmas events for kids in Fukuoka, each on its host’s own page: Christmas in the Sea, Watanabe-dori Illumination, Christmas Gate Park in Fukuoka Daimyo Garden City and 9 more. Each one is listed above with times, cost and a link to the host.
Are there free Christmas events for kids in Fukuoka?
Yes, 10 of the 12 events here are free: Watanabe-dori Illumination, Christmas Gate Park in Fukuoka Daimyo Garden City, Christmas Market in Passage and 7 more. Some free events still ask you to register, so check each listing.
How do you confirm these events?
We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city, library or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on November 9, 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.
Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.
The story of Christmas in Fukuoka
Fukuoka's Christmas lights began in 2011, the year Hakata Station's new building opened. Now Christmas Advent spreads markets and lights across the city, and 2026 is its 14th year. Most of it is free, so a visiting family can wander from site to site.
How Fukuoka celebrates Christmas, and what is different for a visiting family
In Fukuoka, Christmas is a citywide event called Christmas Advent, with markets and lights at many separate sites. The event was formerly called the Fukuoka Christmas Market, and 2026 is its 14th year. It has 11 sites in the city, one in Kokura in Kitakyushu, and since 2025 one in Tokyo's Ueno Park.
The good news for a visiting family is that almost everything on this page costs nothing to enter. Most of the events are free, including the markets and a free outdoor circus, so you can wander from site to site without buying tickets. Most open in the afternoon or evening, and the lights come on after dark.
The Christmas traditions your child will meet in Fukuoka
The Christmas market is the heart of it. At Hakata Station plaza, the market is built from small wooden stalls called huts, and in 2026 about 30 of them stand under a canopy of 800,000 lights. The station lights themselves began in 2011, the year the new station building, JR Hakata City, opened on March 3.
Santa Claus has a special place in Fukuoka. In front of the old Fukuoka Prefectural Public Hall guest house in Tenjin Central Park, more than 100 Santa figures from around the world stand in a row. At Fukuoka Airport, a Santa and a big snowman greet people as they arrive.
There is also something to do and see for kids: an outdoor ice rink 26 m by 17 m at the Momochihama site, and 111 sheep ornaments, made from recycled plastic, at Daimaru's passage plaza.
Planning a Christmas visit to Fukuoka with kids
This page lists the confirmed events, and most of them are free. The season opens on November 2 with the Nakasu lights, then the Hakata Station market on November 7, and the Santa figures on November 11. Tenjin Central Park's lights start November 12 and the free circus November 17. Most events end on December 25, while a few go on past it: Tenjin's City Hall market runs to December 26, the Momochihama market to January 6, 2027, and the Nakasu lights to January 12, 2027.
One event charges admission: the Christmas events at Marine World Umi no Nakamichi, from December 1 to 25 (adults 2,500 yen, elementary and junior high students 1,200 yen, ages 3 and up 700 yen).
The Tenjin area is the easiest to explore on foot, since the park, the Santa figures, the City Hall market and the Nakasu bridge lights are all close together.
A wooden guest house and a hundred Santas
The old Fukuoka Prefectural Public Hall guest house opened in 1910. It is a two-story wooden Western-style building that was designated a national Important Cultural Property in 1984, and it sits inside Tenjin Central Park. At Christmas, the plaza in front fills with Santa figures from many countries.
Traditions today
- Hakata Station lights and market: The station lights began in 2011. In 2025 they used about 640,000 LEDs and a 14.9 m tree. The 2026 market runs from November 7 to December 25 with about 30 huts, and entry is free.
- Christmas Advent: The Fukuoka Christmas market's current name, now in its 14th year in 2026. The sites in the city are free to enter.
- Santa figures from around the world: More than 100 Santa figures stand in front of the old Fukuoka Prefectural Public Hall guest house, from November 11 to December 25, 2026.
- Free outdoor circus: A free circus show at the Tenjin Central Park site, from November 17 to December 19, 2026, twice a day for about 30 minutes each.
- Nakasu lights: Lights on the Fukuhaku Deai Bridge over the Naka River, which took its present name in 2023. In 2026 they run until January 12, 2027.
A fact for kids
More than 100 Santa figures from around the world stand in front of an old wooden guest house in Tenjin, and a Santa and a snowman greet people at Fukuoka Airport.
Questions about Christmas in Fukuoka
Is Fukuoka worth visiting at Christmas with kids?
Yes. Most of the events are free, including several markets, a circus and a display of more than 100 Santa figures. The sites are spread over the city, so you can pick one or two to see in an evening.
When is the Hakata Station Christmas market in 2026?
It runs at the JR Hakata Station plaza from November 7 to December 25. Hours are 4 pm to 11 pm on weekdays and noon to 11 pm on weekends and holidays. Entry is free, and about 30 huts stand among 800,000 lights.
Are the Christmas markets in Fukuoka free?
Yes. The Christmas Advent markets are all free to enter, and so are the Tenjin lights and the circus. Food and shopping cost extra. The one paid event on this page is the aquarium's Christmas at Marine World Umi no Nakamichi.
Where are the Christmas markets in Fukuoka?
Christmas Advent has 11 sites in Fukuoka, plus one in Kokura. They include Hakata Station plaza, Tenjin by City Hall, Tenjin Central Park, the guest house, Daimyo Garden City, Momochihama, AEON MALL Kashiihama, Nakasu and Fukuoka Airport.
Where can kids see Santa in Fukuoka?
More than 100 Santa figures from around the world stand in front of the old Fukuoka Prefectural Public Hall guest house from November 11 to December 25. At Fukuoka Airport, a Santa and a big snowman greet arrivals. Marine World has photos with a diver in a Santa costume from December 1 to 25.
Is there a free circus in Fukuoka at Christmas?
Yes. A free outdoor circus runs in Tenjin Central Park from November 17 to December 19, 2026, with shows at 6:15 pm and 8:25 pm, each about 30 minutes. It does not run in rain or severe weather.
What is Christmas Advent in Fukuoka?
It is the new name for the Fukuoka Christmas Market, and 2026 is its 14th year. There are sites in 11 places in the city and in Kokura, and since 2025 in Tokyo.
When is the Tenjin Christmas Advent market in 2026?
It runs from November 14 to December 26 on the plaza west of Fukuoka City Hall, but it is closed on November 28 and 29. Hours are 5 pm to 11 pm on weekdays and noon to 11 pm on weekends and holidays. Entry is free.
How long can we see the Santa figures in Fukuoka?
Until December 25, 2026. The display starts on November 11 in front of the old Fukuoka Prefectural Public Hall guest house, with the market open from 5 pm to 10 pm on weekdays and noon to 10 pm on weekends and holidays. The lights stay on until midnight, and entry is free.
When did the Hakata Station lights begin?
In 2011, the year the new station building JR Hakata City opened, on March 3. A Christmas market in the station plaza has been part of it since.
What was Hakata Station like at Christmas in 2025?
The lights ran from November 1, 2025 to January 12, 2026, every day from 5 pm to midnight. They used about 640,000 LEDs under a starry-sky effect on the big roof, and a 14.9 m tree stood in front of the station. The market ran from November 1 to December 25 with free entry.
What is the old Fukuoka Prefectural Public Hall guest house?
It is a two-story wooden Western-style building in Tenjin Central Park that opened in 1910, with a French Renaissance style. It was designated a national Important Cultural Property in 1984. At Christmas the plaza in front displays Santa figures.
Can kids go ice skating in Fukuoka at Christmas?
Yes. The Momochihama site has an outdoor ice rink measuring 26 m by 17 m, along with a big Santa monument. The Christmas market there, in front of Fukuoka Tower, runs from November 20 to January 6, 2027 and is free to enter.
What are the sheep ornaments at Daimaru?
They are 111 sheep ornaments made from recycled plastic, hung at the passage plaza of Daimaru. Counting them can be a game for small children. The market there is free and runs from November 13 to December 25.
How long are the Nakasu Christmas lights on?
In 2026 the lights on Fukuhaku Deai Bridge run from November 2 to January 12, 2027, from 5 pm to 1 am. Nakasu's lights took their present name in 2023. The bridge is about a five-minute walk from Nakasu-Kawabata subway station and close to Tenjin Central Park.
Is Tenjin or Hakata easier to explore with kids?
The Tenjin area is easier on foot. Tenjin Central Park, the Santa figures, the City Hall market and the Nakasu bridge lights are within walking distance of each other, and all are free to enter.
What can we do in Fukuoka on Christmas Day?
December 25 is the last day of the Hakata Station market, the Tenjin Central Park lights and circus, and the Santa figures. Hakata Station is open until 11 pm and Tenjin Central Park until 10 pm. The City Hall market continues to December 26.
Is there a Christmas market in Kokura?
Yes. The Kokura Christmas market began in 2024. In 2026 it runs from November 20 to December 25 at the Shiragawa waterside plaza and Senba Plaza facing Kokura Castle, and entry is free.
Does Fukuoka's Christmas market also appear in Tokyo?
Yes. Christmas Advent has been held in Tokyo since 2025, and 2026 is its second year. It takes place around Hakamagoshi Plaza and Shinobazu Pond in Ueno Park.
Are Christmas events in Fukuoka in English?
Most events are in Japanese, and the sources do not say whether English is offered. The lights, markets and Santa figures can be enjoyed without it. For anything with a program, check with the host.
Are there Christmas activities for kids at an aquarium in Fukuoka?
Yes. Marine World Umi no Nakamichi has Christmas dolphin and sardine shows and photos with a Santa diver from December 1 to 25, 2026. It is open until 9 pm on December 24 and 25. Tickets cost 2,500 yen for adults, 1,200 yen for elementary and junior high students and 700 yen for ages 3 and up.
What is on in Fukuoka after Christmas?
The Momochihama market runs to January 6, 2027, and the Nakasu lights to January 12. The Watanabe-dori street lights run to January 31, 2027. The City Hall market in Tenjin runs to December 26.
How would you explain Fukuoka's Christmas to a small child?
You could say it began when the new Hakata Station opened and its front was decorated with lights. Add that a hundred Santas gather in front of an old wooden house and that a snowman greets people at the airport.
Sources
- クリスマスアドベント特集, 福岡県観光情報 クロスロードふくおか
- 光の街・博多（JR博多シティ）イルミネーション, たびハック / tabi-mag
- 光の街・博多 2025, るるぶ&more.
- 福岡県公会堂貴賓館, Wikipedia
- クリスマスアドベント2026 開催（2026年10月31日）, 鉄道チャンネル