Written by Patrick Balfe
Tokyo events for Monday, December 8, to Sunday, December 14, 2025.
Much like Santa and Mariah Carey, some of our favorite events appear each December, and this week is full of them. Shibuya Blue Cave, Yokohama’s Yorunoyo illuminations, and YPAM Fringe Festival continue this week. Meanwhile, newcomers Shinjuku Neon Walk and Tokyo Christmas Advent draw crowds, and the All of Evangelion Exhibition begins to wrap up in Roppongi. Looking for more winter illuminations and Christmas markets? Check out our dedicated guides.
The 47 Rōnin Winter Festival
Don’t expect any colorful re-enactments; this is a serious religious event with a graveside ceremony, a ritual tea ceremony, and a memorial service taking place at the main hall.
i-Live COLLECTION: i-COLE Idol Concert in Ariake
Held mainly on weekends in venues across Tokyo, i-COLE is your window into Japanese idol culture. With over 30 idol groups appearing, the events not only feature live performances at venues around the city but also tokuten-kai fan meet-and-greet sessions.
Japan Cumbia Festival
South American cumbia music is a mix of rhythm and traditional folk music from Colombia. It’s been kept alive with modern twists from a cadre of talented artists. Halfway across the world, Tokyo’s music scene has a pet love for cumbia, and Shinjuku MARZ is feeding that love.
| Advance sales: ¥4,500 | At the door: ¥5,000 | |
Yoshimoto Comedy Night OWARAI
Yoshimoto Comedy Night heads to the Roppongi Theater stage every Monday, bringing locals and visitors a night of laughs and surprises.
| Advance sales: ¥3,800 | At the door: ¥3,800 | |
Weekend Comedy at TCB
Just 1 minute from Shibuya Station, Tokyo Comedy Bar has built a name for itself as the home of comedy in the city. Each week, Tokyo’s best comedians hit the stage to showcase their sets, and the local comedy community gathers for a laugh.
| Advance sales: ¥2,000 | ||
All of Evangelion Exhibition
Neon Genesis Evangelion celebrates its 30th anniversary this year and, as part of the celebrations, Tokyo City View will host an exhibition featuring original animation cels and never-before-seen illustrations and digital production materials.
YPAM Fringe
Held annually as part of YPAM (Yokohama International Performing Arts Meeting), YPAM Fringe is an open-call festival of independently produced performances held across Kanagawa Prefecture.
Yokohama Winter Illuminations (Yorunoyo)
Crowned one of Japan’s top three cities for stunning night views, Yokohama celebrates its title with Yorunoyo, an expansive winter illumination event that takes over the entire bayside.
Shinjuku Neon Walk
Shinjuku Neon Walk is a free, open-air illumination trail. Along the route, you’ll find an AI-powered screen that warps your reflection like a funhouse mirror, a glowing torii gate, Edo-style lanterns reimagined in neon, and a pair of illuminated trees that “talk” to each other through light and sound.
Shibuya Blue Cave Illumination
This year’s display will feature around 500,000 LED lights (guess what color) stretching between Shibuya Koen Dori and Yoyogi Park (just south of Yoyogi Park Events Square).
Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Christmas Market
Stretching along the beautiful red-brick warehouses, the market features an impressive Christmas tree display, market stalls, and plenty of festive cheer.
| At the door: ¥500 | ||
Roppongi Hills Christmas Illumination
Expect around 800,000 brilliant blue LEDs decorating the trees, and Tokyo Tower providing the perfect backdrop.
Christmas Advent Tokyo
After years of drawing huge crowds in Fukuoka, Christmas Advent will make its first Tokyo appearance in Ueno Park. Expect an outdoor market atmosphere with lights, food stalls, and seasonal art installations.
Omotesandō Illumination
A classy and impressive annual display, the Omotesandō Illumination is a light-lit walk of just over 1 km along Omotesandō Avenue. With over 900,000 lights wound around the trees, it’s got a definite winter-wonderland feel.
Tokyo Midtown Christmas
This year’s event is themed “Your Christmas Story”. This year’s main illumination in Midtown Garden changes as you walk through it, starting cool and urban before warming into classic Christmas lights and finishing with a splash of color.
Tokyo Skytree Dream Christmas
The observation decks are dressed for the occasion, with Christmas trees, piles of presents, and a giant cupcake photo spot 450 metres above ground. Both cafés are serving special festive menus: matcha “tree” soft serve, strawberry cocktails, vegan pistachio doughnuts, and colourful Christmas floats.
Roppongi Hills Christmas Market
The market is intended to replicate the Stuttgart Christmas market. There will be 10 stalls featuring traditional decorations, gifts, and plenty of food options, including German sausages, stew, and stollen.
Marunouchi Street Park Christmas Market
Don’t let the name confuse you — this is actually a Christmas market, and it stretches across Nakadori Avenue and Gyoko-dori Avenue.
Azabudai Hills Christmas Market
There are 17 food and drink stalls (incl. vegan options), an illuminated fir tree, and shops stocking wreaths and other festive trinkets.
Ōji Fox Pageant New Year’s Eve Tour
Discover local culture and secure yourself exclusive access to one of Japan’s most unique New Year’s ceremonies. While it’s free to watch the parade, spots get taken quickly, and you usually need to arrive at least a few hours early to stake out a seat, so nab yourself a spot with this popular tour.
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