Tokyo Events December 2024: 7 Not to Miss

2024 — a year that has been both very long and all too short — is coming to a close. But before that clock hits midnight on December 31, try out some of these festivities.

Remember, December is the month of winter illuminations and Christmas markets in Tokyo. If you are looking for a New Year countdown party or more traditional things to do, then check out our dedicated New Year’s Eve guide.

For the top events in Tokyo throughout the year, check out our complete guide — organized by month.

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1. Odaiba Rainbow Fireworks

December 7–28

Odaiba Seaside Park, Odaiba

See fireworks every Saturday in December

Expect a rainbow of colors at Odaiba Fireworks. | Photo by istock.com/magicflute002

Get ready for some pretty awesome fireworks. Already a romantic spot, the Seaside Park in front of Decks Shopping Mall will be filled to the brim with couples every Saturday in December (plus the 24th). While the fireworks display only lasts for five minutes, it’s still well worth the visit — plus there are plenty of other things to do in Odaiba while you’re there.

Odaiba Rainbow Fireworks

Dates:7th Dec–28th Dec, 2024

Entry:Free

Venues:

Toyosu Gururi Park, Odaiba Marine Park

2. Hagoita-ichi Fairs

December 17–19

Sensōji Temple, Asakusa

Hit that bad luck into the stratosphere

An example of a *hagoita*. | Photo by Grigoris Miliaresis

Hagoita are wooden paddles that were once used to play hanetsuki, a Japanese badminton-like game. Over time, they became regarded as an auspicious symbol — they’re used for hitting, after all, so maybe they could “hit” bad luck as well; get it? Thus, at Sensoji Temple’s Hagoita Market and Kasukabe Hagoita Market you’ll see elaborate, purely ornamental hagoita, which are meant to welcome good luck and drive away bad luck. Great for gifts.

Sensōji Temple Hagoita-Ichi Fair

Asakusa's Sensoji temple Hagoita-Ichi Fair

Dates:17th Dec–19th Dec, 2024

Entry:Free

Venue:

Sensōji Temple

3. Winter Comiket

December 29–30

Tokyo Big Sight, Odaiba

See fanatics dress up in cosplay

The best of cosplay in Japan. | Photo by David Ishikawa

If you’re into Japanese pop culture, comics, and cosplay, be sure not to miss Winter Comiket, the major geeky year-ender. This event draws tons of doujinshi (fan-made comics) collectors, cosplayers, and photographers every year, so be prepared for crowds and queues (yes, even to take photos of the more popular cosplayers).

Read our guide to cosplaying at Comiket to learn about Japanese cosplay event etiquette and what to expect.

Mount Fuji Day Trip with Private Driver

Spend a day exploring Mount Fuji and the area around it with this private, fully customizable tour - from all around Kawaguchiko Lake and up to the Mount Fuji Fifth Station.

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Winter Comiket

Comiket 95. Models stand in a row on stage.

Dates:29th Dec–30th Dec, 2024

Entry:

¥440 – ¥5,000

Venue:

Tokyo Big Sight

4. Tokyo Comic Con

December 6–8

Makuhari Messe, Chiba

Celebrate western comics and see celebrities

Who knows who you’ll find at Tokyo Comic Con. | Photo by Alex Ziminski

While anime and manga tend to be celebrated in Japan throughout the whole year, the biggest celebration of Western comic books and entertainment can be found at the end of the year.

Comic Con is famous the world over for merchandise, celebrity meet and greets, as well as cosplay — and Tokyo’s edition is no different. For 2024, Jude Law, Christopher Lloyd, Benedict Cumberbatch, John Boyega, and many more big names will be on the bill.

Tokyo Comic Con 2024

Dates:6th Dec–8th Dec, 2024

Price:

Adults:
Advance sales: ¥4,400
Students:
Advance sales: ¥2,500

Venue:

Makuhari Messe

5. Christmas markets

Until December 25

All around Tokyo and beyond

Ding! Dong! Merrily on high

santa — Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas and so on. | Photo by David Ishikawa

Are we cheating with this entry? A little. While we have a whole article detailing the best of 2024’s Christmas markets, our three ultimate favorites are:

Experience the Traditional Art of Kintsugi

Looking for something different? Try a kintsugi class in Tokyo. Kintsugi is the art of repairing old pottery with gold. In this one-hour workshop, you'll learn the delicate art of gold repair, and create your own unique souvenir to take home. You'll even dress in samue, the traditional outfit of craftsmen.

Click here for details

6. Chichibu Night Festival

December 2–3

Chichibu, Saitama

Towering floats with lanterns and fireworks

Find floats, fireworks, and food at this explosive winter festival. The biggest day is December 3, the Grand Festival, but both days will feature the towering lit-up floats that the event is known for. While around two hours from Tokyo, there will be more trains on the day than usual if you’re planning on making the trip.

Chichibu Night Festival

Dates:2nd Dec–3rd Dec, 2024

Entry:Free

Venue:

Hitsujiyama Park

7. Jump Festa

December 21–22

Makuhari Messe, Chiba

One Piece obsessed?

Another massive pop culture event of the month is Jump Festa, for those obsessed with the manga serialized in Jump magazines. Rifle through merchandise at this two-day expo that celebrates titles such as One Piece, Dragon Ball, Naruto, Slam Dunk, and Bleach. You can also expect panels and talks with creatives. Oh, also it’s free.