Christmas Events for Kids in Sendai (2026)

Christmas Events for Kids
Written by Kelsey Cecil

4 min read · 日本語で読む

Rally the corgi has sniffed out the best Christmas events for kids in Sendai for 2026, and here is what he found: 5 family events. The magic runs from November 6 (Sendai Anpanman Children's Museum & Mall Christmas Event) through December 27, with 2026 SENDAI Pageant of Starlight (from December 4) and Sendai Christmas Market 2026 (from December 4) along the way. Every listing links straight to the host. This page is part of our guide to Christmas events for kids in Japan.

What Rally found in Sendai

  • 5 Christmas events for kids in Sendai
  • Meet Santa: Sendai Anpanman Children's Museum & Mall Christmas Event (from November 6) and Santa Hunt (2026 SENDAI Pageant of Starlight), from December 5
  • Also on the list: 1 Christmas show, 4 Christmas light displays, 1 Christmas market and 2 craft workshops
  • Season: November 6 (Sendai Anpanman Children's Museum & Mall Christmas Event) to December 27 (2026 SENDAI Pageant of Starlight)

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).

Ticketed and paid Christmas events for kids in Sendai

Admission, tickets or a fee apply. Where a host has not posted a price yet, the listing says so.

Visit with Santa

Sendai Anpanman Children's Museum & Mall Christmas Event

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At the museum on the 2nd floor, you can make a mask of Anpanman in a Santa hat and Baikinman as a reindeer with just glue and a pen. At the Yanase Takashi Theater on the 2nd floor, the participatory stage show "Anpanman and Merry Christmas" is performed, where you wave a handmade flag along with the characters. Say "Merry Christmas" to the staff in the building, collect 5 stickers and you can exchange them for a Christmas card.

The museum is open 10 am to 5 pm, with last entry at 4 pm. The shopping mall on the 1st floor is free to enter and has Christmas-only goods and food. The ticket sold on the day at the 1st floor window after 3 pm is 1,000 yen for ages 1 to elementary school, for up to 3 children per adult. On Dec 2, there is a Dream Concert on the 2nd floor at 10:45 am and 2:15 pm, and ages 1 and up need a free numbered ticket.

Parent tip: The after-3 pm ticket is sold only at the 1st floor window on the day. Check the official website for how numbered tickets for the concert are handed out.

Host
Sendai Anpanman Children's Museum & Mall (opens in a new tab)
Where
Sendai Anpanman Children's Museum & Mall, 仙台市宮城野区小田原山本町101-14 (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
いこーよの掲載ページで詳細を見る (opens in a new tab)

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Rally’s Christmas research

Rally the corgi has 4 more Sendai 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 Sendai.
  • Exclusive access to free events Be first to hear about new free events in Sendai.
  • 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.
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Coming up on this page

  • 4 Lights
  • 2 Santa
  • 2 Crafts
  • 1 Shows

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Christmas lights

2026 SENDAI Pageant of Starlight

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About 480,000 LED lights glow on the zelkova-lined Jozenji-dori. In 2026 it runs for 24 days, Dec 4 to Dec 27. Lighting hours are 6 pm to 9 pm from Sunday to Thursday, and 6 pm to 10 pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Dec 24. On Dec 4 from 5:40 pm there is a lighting ceremony in front of the Sendai Mediatheque.

During the period, there is also the "Starlight Wink," in which all the lights go out for about 1 minute and then come back on all at once. There is no parking at the venue, and visitors are urged to use public transportation. The lights are on even in the rain, but individual events may be canceled.

Parent tip: There is no general parking at the venue. Dress warmly and go by public transportation.

Host
SENDAI Pageant of Starlight Executive Committee (opens in a new tab)
Where
Jozenji-dori, 仙台市青葉区 定禅寺通(仙台三越前から定禅寺ガーデンヒルズ前まで), Sendai (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with SENDAI Pageant of Starlight Executive Committee (opens in a new tab)

New events in Sendai every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Sendai 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 lights

Our Wishes as a Symbol (Message to Santa Ornaments)

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During the Pageant of Starlight, a community tree stands in the Big Tent at Kotodai Park. Visitors receive an ornament, write a message to Santa and hang it on the tree themselves.

It runs from Dec 4 to Dec 25. Children old enough to write in hiragana can write their own wishes.

Parent tip: Bring a pen to be safe. Check the day's notice for times.

Host
SENDAI Pageant of Starlight Executive Committee (opens in a new tab)
Where
Kotodai Park Big Tent, 仙台市青葉区本町3丁目, Sendai (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with SENDAI Pageant of Starlight Executive Committee (opens in a new tab)

New events in Sendai every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Sendai 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 market

Sendai Christmas Market 2026

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A Christmas market held at Nishikicho Park from Dec 4 to Dec 25. Hours are 4 pm to 10 pm on weekdays, noon to 10 pm on Saturdays and noon to 9 pm on Sundays. In 2025, there were 40 German-style wooden huts and a tree about 5 m tall.

Entry is generally free, but on Dec 11 to 13, Dec 18 to 20, Dec 24 and 25 a contribution of 1,600 yen is charged, and it comes with an original mug. Elementary school age and under are free on every day. Advance tickets have been on sale since 10 am on Nov 4.

Parent tip: The days with a contribution are weekends, Dec 24 and Dec 25. With small children, a weekday evening without the contribution is relatively easy to enter.

Host
Sendai Christmas Market (opens in a new tab)
Where
Nishikicho Park, 仙台市青葉区本町2丁目, Sendai (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
ベストカレンダーの掲載ページで詳細を見る (opens in a new tab)

New events in Sendai every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Sendai 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 lights

Santa Hunt (2026 SENDAI Pageant of Starlight)

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A kids' activity held at Kotodai Park, one of the venues of the Pageant of Starlight. Find the 3 Santas hiding in the park and you get stickers. Once you have all three and go to the Omotenashi Station, you get light-up glasses and can take a photo with Santa.

It is held on Dec 5, 6, 19, 20, 24 and 25 from 6 pm to 8 pm. The number of people per day is limited, so going early is a good idea.

Parent tip: There is a daily limit. It is outdoors at night, so dress the kids warmly.

Host
SENDAI Pageant of Starlight Executive Committee (opens in a new tab)
Where
Kotodai Park, 仙台市青葉区本町3丁目, Sendai (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with SENDAI Pageant of Starlight Executive Committee (opens in a new tab)

New events in Sendai every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Sendai 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

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.

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolour corgi peeking from a red train

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 Sendai: questions parents ask

What are the 2026 Christmas events for kids in Sendai?

For 2026, we confirmed 5 Christmas events for kids in Sendai, each on its host’s own page: Sendai Anpanman Children's Museum & Mall Christmas Event, 2026 SENDAI Pageant of Starlight, Sendai Christmas Market 2026 and 2 more. Each one is listed above with times, cost and a link to the host.

Where can kids see Santa this year in Sendai?

Where to see Santa: Sendai Anpanman Children's Museum & Mall Christmas Event. Check the listings above for times and booking.

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.

Christmas events for 2026 are coming in late November

More Christmas events arrive in late November. We add them here as soon as we confirm them.

The story of Christmas in Sendai

Sendai's Christmas is a December of light. The Sendai Hikari no Pageant lights 127 zelkova trees along Jozenji-dori with about 480,000 LEDs from Dec 4 to 27, and a German-style Christmas market sits nearby in Nishikimachi Park. Kids can add a Santa hunt, an ornament for Santa and a character museum.

How Sendai celebrates Christmas: a tree-lined avenue of light and a market

Sendai's Christmas is led by the Sendai Hikari no Pageant, which lights the zelkova trees along Jozenji-dori. The first one was held in 1986, and the 40th was in 2025. The 2026 edition is the 41st.

In 2022 a Christmas market was added in Nishikimachi Park. In 2026 it marks its 5th year. It is known for German-style wooden huts. Together, the two sites make December in Sendai a season to walk between two venues.

What a child will meet: a minute of darkness, Santas in the park and handbells

On Fridays to Sundays and on Dec 24 and 25 in 2025, the Pageant did something special called the Starlight Wink. All the lights on the street went out for about a minute and then came back on together. In 2026 the Starlight Wink is planned for Dec 4 to 27, with times being adjusted.

In Kotodai Park, kids can hunt for three hidden Santas, collect stickers and win light-up glasses and a photo with Santa. They can also write a message to Santa on an ornament and hang it on the community tree. Local elementary school students serve as guides called Winter Angels.

Planning a Christmas visit to Sendai with kids

The big events fall in December. The Pageant and the market both start on Dec 4, 2026. The Pageant runs to Dec 27 and the market to Dec 25, and the ornament tree is in Kotodai Park Big Tent from Dec 4 to 25. The Santa hunt takes place on six evenings: Dec 5, 6, 19, 20, 24 and 25.

Earlier in the season, the Anpanman Children's Museum and Mall holds Christmas events from Nov 6 to Dec 25. Many things are free to enjoy, and children in elementary school or younger enter the market free every day. Most events are in Japanese, so check with the host if you need English.

A sea lion with handbells and lights powered by biomass

In 2025 the Pageant had the theme "40th Anniversary: Re." At Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium that Christmas, sea lions rang handbells while dolphins added a chorus. The Pageant says it uses green electricity from biomass power and LED bulbs.

Traditions today

  • Sendai Hikari no Pageant: Started in 1986. About 480,000 LEDs light 127 zelkova trees on Jozenji-dori. The 41st edition runs Dec 4 to 27, 2026.
  • Sendai Christmas Market: Opened in 2022 in Nishikimachi Park. In 2026 it runs from Dec 4 to Dec 25, and elementary school children and younger enter free every day.
  • Starlight Wink: All the street lights go out for about a minute and then come back on together. It is planned for Dec 4 to 27, 2026.
  • Santa hunt in Kotodai Park: Kids find three hidden Santas and collect stickers, then get light-up glasses and a photo with Santa.
  • Christmas at the aquarium: In 2025, a sea lion rang handbells in a Christmas show, and a special tank was surrounded by trees.
  • Light forest at a hotel in Izumi Ward: A hotel's grounds were lit from Nov 1, 2025 to Feb 28, 2026, and viewing was free.

A fact for kids

On Jozenji-dori there is a moment when all the lights go out for about a minute. Then they all turn on together.

Questions about Christmas in Sendai

Is Sendai worth visiting at Christmas with kids?

Yes, especially if your kids like lights. The Hikari no Pageant, a German-style market, a Santa hunt in Kotodai Park and an Anpanman museum are all part of the season. Many of the events are free to enjoy.

When is the Sendai Hikari no Pageant in 2026?

It runs from Dec 4 to Dec 27, 2026, for 24 days, and it is the 41st edition. It lights the trees along Jozenji-dori. A lighting ceremony takes place on Dec 4 at 5:40 pm in front of Sendai Mediatheque.

What time are the Jozenji-dori lights on?

In 2026 they are on from 6 pm to 9 pm from Sunday to Thursday, and 6 pm to 10 pm on Friday and Saturday. On Dec 24 they are on from 6 pm to 10 pm. The lights stay on in the rain, but some programs may be canceled.

How big is the Sendai Hikari no Pageant?

About 480,000 LEDs light 127 zelkova trees on Jozenji-dori. The first Pageant was in 1986, and the 40th was held in 2025. It is Sendai's best-known winter event.

What is the Starlight Wink in Sendai?

All the lights on the street go out for about a minute and then come on together. In 2025 it happened on Fridays to Sundays and on Dec 24 and 25, at 6:30 pm and 7 pm. In 2026 it is planned for Dec 4 to 27, with times being adjusted.

Where is the Pageant lighting ceremony?

On Dec 4, 2026, at 5:40 pm, the ceremony is in front of Sendai Mediatheque. In 2025 the ceremony ran from 5:40 pm to 6 pm along the Jozenji-dori greenway in front of the Mediatheque.

What is the Santa hunt in Kotodai Park?

Kids look for three Santas hidden in Kotodai Park and collect stickers. When they find all three and visit the welcome station, they get light-up glasses and can have a photo with Santa. It takes place on Dec 5, 6, 19, 20, 24 and 25, from 6 pm to 8 pm, and the number of kids per day is limited.

Can kids write a message to Santa in Sendai?

Yes. From Dec 4 to 25, 2026, visitors can pick up an ornament in the Big Tent in Kotodai Park, write a message to Santa and hang it on the community tree. Local elementary school students act as guides called Winter Angels.

When is the Sendai Christmas Market in 2026?

It runs from Dec 4 to Dec 25, 2026, in Nishikimachi Park, Aoba Ward. Hours are 4 pm to 10 pm on weekdays, noon to 10 pm on Saturdays and noon to 9 pm on Sundays. Check the event page for the latest daily news.

Do kids get into the Sendai Christmas Market free?

Yes. Elementary school children and younger enter free every day in 2026. Entry for adults is basically free too, except on Dec 11 to 13, 18 to 20, 24 and 25.

When do adults pay to enter the Sendai Christmas Market?

On Dec 11 to 13, 18 to 20, 24 and 25, 2026, a 1,600 yen contribution is asked and an original mug comes with it. In 2025 it was 1,500 yen on different days. Other days are free.

What was the Sendai Christmas Market like in 2025?

It ran from Dec 5 to 25, 2025, with 40 German-style wooden huts, up from 30 the year before, and a tree about 5 m tall. It is held in Nishikimachi Park. In 2026 the market marks its 5th year.

When did the Sendai Christmas Market start?

It began in 2022 and reaches its 5th year in 2026. It is held in Nishikimachi Park. In 2025 the park was about a 5 minute walk from Kotodai Koen Station on the subway.

Is there a Christmas event at the Anpanman museum in Sendai?

Yes. The Sendai Anpanman Children's Museum and Mall holds Christmas crafts, a stage show and a sticker rally from Nov 6 to Dec 25, 2026, from 10 am to 5 pm. The mall is free, and the museum costs 2,000 yen in general, or 1,000 yen for tickets from 3 pm.

What did Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium do for Christmas in 2025?

From Nov 28 to Dec 25, 2025, it had a show in which a sea lion rang handbells and dolphins added a chorus. A special tank surrounded by trees and ornament making for 500 yen were also offered. The 2026 schedule has not been announced.

When is the penguin parade at Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium?

For the 2025 to 2026 season it was held from Dec 1, 2025 to Mar 1, 2026, at 1:30 pm on the second floor. From Dec 20 to Jan 12 there was also a 10:30 am show. Check the aquarium for the next season.

What are the Light Forest lights at a hotel in Sendai?

A hotel in Izumi Ward lit its grounds from Nov 1, 2025 to Feb 28, 2026, from 4:30 pm to 11 pm (5 pm in February). Viewing was free. Check the hotel for 2026 dates.

Can we drive to the Sendai Hikari no Pageant?

In 2026 no parking is provided for private cars. Tour buses can use the Sendai Aobayama Koryu Hiroba, but reservations are not accepted. Visitors are asked to use public transport.

What can we do in Sendai on Christmas Eve?

On Thu, Dec 24, 2026, the Pageant lights are on from 6 pm to 10 pm. The Santa hunt in Kotodai Park runs from 6 pm to 8 pm. The market is open from 4 pm to 10 pm with a 1,600 yen contribution for adults, and children in elementary school or younger enter free.

What can we do in Sendai on Dec 25?

Dec 25 is the last day of the Christmas market (4 pm to 10 pm, with the contribution for adults). The Pageant lights are on from 6 pm to 10 pm, and the Santa hunt and ornament tree also end that day. The Pageant itself continues to Dec 27.

How should I plan an evening with kids at the Sendai lights?

Start at Kotodai Park for the Santa hunt and ornament, then walk the lit trees on Jozenji-dori. The avenue is right next to the park. The market in Nishikimachi Park is another stop if you have time.

Where can kids meet Santa in Sendai?

The Santa hunt in Kotodai Park ends with a photo with Santa, on Dec 5, 6, 19, 20, 24 and 25 from 6 pm to 8 pm. Check the event page for how to join.

Are the Christmas events in Sendai in English?

Most events are in Japanese, and the sources do not say whether English help is offered. The lights and the market are easy to enjoy without much language. If you need English, check with the host.

Sources

  1. 2025 SENDAI光のページェント, tabi-mag
  2. 2026 SENDAI光のページェント 開催概要, SENDAI光のページェント実行委員会
  3. 2026 SENDAI光のページェント イベント, SENDAI光のページェント実行委員会
  4. 仙台クリスマスマーケット2025, いこーよ
  5. 仙台クリスマスマーケット2026, いこーよ
  6. 仙台クリスマスマーケット2026, ベストカレンダー
  7. 仙台うみの杜水族館 UMINOMORI CHRISTMAS 2025, リセマム(PR TIMES)
  8. SENDAI光のページェント2025, JR東日本
  9. 仙台のイルミネーション2025, るるぶKids
  10. よくある質問, SENDAI光のページェント実行委員会

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