Tokyo Christmas markets 2026: dates, ticket prices, and the free ones worth your evening
Tokyo has more than one Christmas market this year, and the biggest ones are no longer where older guides say. Here are the dates, what the tickets cost, and which free markets are worth a stop.
The main Tokyo Christmas Market runs at Shin-Toyosu (Nov 20 – Dec 25) and Shiba Park (Dec 4 – Dec 25). Adult entry is ¥1,000 on weekdays, ¥1,500 on weekends and ¥2,000 on Dec 24–25, and children under 6 are free. For a free option, try the markets at Roppongi Hills, Azabudai Hills or Tokyo Skytree, which run until Dec 25. Go on a weekday, around 16:30.
The big ticketed markets: Shin-Toyosu and Shiba Park
The Tokyo Christmas Market is the German-style one with the large tents, mulled wine and a Christmas-tree backdrop. In 2026 it runs at two venues, and each needs its own ticket. It has moved on from Meiji Jingu Gaien, where it was held in earlier years, so older blog posts will point you to the wrong place.
| Venue | Dates (2026) | Hours | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shin-Toyosu | Nov 20 – Dec 25 | 11:00–21:30 (opening day from 16:00); last entry 20:30 | About 2 min on foot from Shin-Toyosu Station (Yurikamome Line) |
| Shiba Park | Dec 4 – Dec 25 | 11:00–22:00 (opening day from 16:00); last entry 21:00 | About 1 min from exit A6, Onarimon Station (Toei Mita Line); Tokyo Tower is right there |
| Ticket | Weekday | Weekend / holiday | Dec 24–25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult (junior high and up) | ¥1,000 | ¥1,500 | ¥2,000 |
| Child (elementary) | ¥500 | ¥500 | ¥1,000 |
| Under 6 | Free | Free | Free |
Tickets went on sale on October 1. Entry is only the start: food, drinks and the souvenir mug are paid for separately inside. One source says advance tickets come with a mug and door tickets do not, but we could not confirm that on an official page, so check before you buy. Late-December evening slots are reported to sell out first.
The free ones: where to go if you do not want a ticket
Several Christmas markets are free to walk into, and they are a good fit if you have one evening and no plan. The details below come from a 2026 roundup and may still shift, so treat dates as a guide and check the venue's page the week you go.
| Market | Dates (2026) | Hours | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roppongi Hills (Big Roof Plaza) | Nov 21 – Dec 25 | 11:00–21:00 | About 10 German-style stalls; a Christmas cup is sold each year |
| Azabudai Hills | Nov 21 – Dec 25 | 11:00–21:00 | About 20 food, drink and gift stalls; Father Christmas and balloon artists on December weekends |
| Tokyo Skytree | Nov 5 – Dec 25 | 11:00–22:00 (last order 21:00) | Pop-up market at the base, with performances and projection mapping |
| Yebisu Garden Place | Market to Dec 25; lights Nov 14 – Feb 28 | Not confirmed | Food trucks and Christmas goods near the big chandelier display |
| The Peninsula Tokyo | Weekends from early Nov; daily Dec 1–25 | Dec: 12:00–20:00 | Very small: a few themed shops and decoration |
Marunouchi and Tokyo Midtown are light displays rather than markets, and a few other illuminations had no 2026 dates yet when we checked. Our winter illuminations guide covers those.
Tokyo markets are small compared with the ones in Germany, so set expectations: it is a handful of stalls, a lot of lights, and a mug of hot wine. Go on a weekday around 16:30 for blue-hour light before the after-work crowd arrives. Bring cash, since some stalls are cash-only, and dress warmer than you think because you will be standing outside.
Which one should you pick?
Want the full tent-and-tree experience and are happy to pay? Choose Shin-Toyosu (the earlier start) or Shiba Park (the Tokyo Tower photo). Want something free that fits around dinner? Pair Roppongi Hills with Azabudai Hills, which are about a short ride apart, or do Skytree if you are already in Asakusa. If you are in town on December 24–25, expect the highest prices and the biggest crowds everywhere. If you are planning a Christmas dessert as well, see our Christmas cake guide, and for the New Year week, the hatsumode guide.
Common questions
When is the Tokyo Christmas Market 2026?
Shin-Toyosu runs November 20 to December 25, 2026, and Shiba Park runs December 4 to December 25, 2026. They are separate ticketed events. Several free markets (Roppongi Hills, Azabudai Hills, Skytree) run from early to late November through December 25.
How much is the Tokyo Christmas Market ticket?
Adults pay ¥1,000 on weekdays, ¥1,500 on weekends and holidays, and ¥2,000 on December 24–25. Elementary school children pay ¥500 (¥1,000 on December 24–25), and children under 6 are free. Prices are the same at both venues per the official site, but confirm before you go.
Where is the Tokyo Christmas Market in 2026?
At Shin-Toyosu (about 2 minutes from Shin-Toyosu Station on the Yurikamome Line) and Shiba Park (about 1 minute from exit A6 of Onarimon Station on the Toei Mita Line). It is no longer at Meiji Jingu Gaien.
Are there free Christmas markets in Tokyo?
Yes. Roppongi Hills, Azabudai Hills, Tokyo Skytree, Yebisu Garden Place and The Peninsula Tokyo all have free Christmas markets or pop-ups in 2026, according to a recent roundup. Dates and hours can shift, so check each venue.
Do I need to book tickets in advance?
Tickets for the two big markets went on sale on October 1. Late-December evening slots are reported to sell out first, so book ahead if your dates are fixed. Weekdays are quieter, and crowds build after about 17:00.
Is it cash only?
Some food stalls are cash-only, so carry some yen even if you plan to pay by card elsewhere.