December is one of the most festive and exciting months to be in Niseko. It marks the beginning of winter, offers a true white Christmas, and features New Year’s countdown celebrations across the resorts. Here are some of the unmissable events in Niseko that take place during this cheery month.

Multiple Firework Displays at HANAZONO

Watching fireworks shot from the ski slopes into the night sky is a special moment to be experienced in Niseko. At Niseko HANAZONO Resort, there will be 12 fireworks displays throughout the winter, from December until February. In December, the displays are scheduled for the 16th, 24th, 30th, and 31st.

Japanese Drum Performances at Niseko Village Ski Resort

Be sure to visit Niseko Village Ski Resort for their traditional Japanese drum performance every Saturday 7pm from 16 December to 24 February. The performance takes place outdoors in the snow at ‘Niseko-yo’ where the powerful drumbeats offer a glimpse into the enchanting Japanese culture.

Light Up Everywhere! From Gondolas to Huge Christmas Trees

This time of the year is when everything at the resorts starts lighting up! One of the highlights is the Gondola light-up at Niseko HANAZONO Resort, where the LED lights on the Hanazono Symphony Gondola change colors. This begins on 16 December and continues until 20 March, starting around 3.30pm each day.

A 12m Christmas Tree will also be featured in HANAZONO – the largest in the Niseko area, adorned with around 10,000 LED lights. The festivities kick off on the 16th, including a celebration on the starting day with free hot apple cider, cookies, Santa Claus, and fireworks.

Santa is Here! Christmas Celebrations Everywhere!

No Christmas is complete, especially for children, without Santa Claus! In Niseko Village, Santa will make an appearance on the 25th at the Hilton Hotel, Ritz-Carlton, Hinode Hills, Niseko Village, and Green Leaf during the evening, bringing gifts for all children.

Hanazono will host a Christmas Eve celebration on the 24th, featuring Santa Claus distributing gifts to children around the Christmas tree, free hot apple cider with cookies, and a fireworks display starting at 7pm.

Niseko Tokyu Grand HIRAFU is also planning a firework display to celebrate Christmas Eve on the 24^th too.

Niseko Village Countdown – Music Events, Traditional New Year Noodles, Fireworks

There are a lot of things going on in Niseko Village on 31 December. There will be multiple music performances – a violin and piano concert at Hinode Hills, a jazz band performance at The Green Leaf, both starting at 8pm, and a Japanese drum performance from 11.30pm at Hilton Niseko Village. Traditional Japanese soba noodles, ‘toshikoshi soba,’ will be served at the Hilton and Green Leaf, and, of course, there will be an epic firework display at the end of the countdown.

Niseko Annupuri International Ski Area –Torchlight Skiing and Fireworks

At Annupuri Ski Resort, the annual torchlight skiing event will take place, where participants ski down the slopes with a torch. It’s a countdown celebration only experienceable in a ski resort. Right when the clock strikes midnight, fireworks will be shot into the sky, marking the beginning of the new year.

Niseko Tokyu Grand HIRAFU – Fireworks

Niseko Tokyu Grand HIRAFU is planning a firework display on the 31^st to celebrate the end of the year. Make sure not to miss this event if you’re going to be staying in the Hirafu area!

Louis Vuitton Popup Store in HANAZONO

From 15 December all the way through 25 February, Louis Vuitton’s first popup store in a Japanese ski resort will appear in the HANAZONO Park Hyatt’s event area. Set against an amazing backdrop, the store will feature travel luggage, leather items, accessories, and more. For those who love shopping for high-quality items, this is a must-see!