Festival · Chuo Ward, Sapporo
Sapporo Snow Festival
さっぽろ雪まつり
Each February, Sapporo fills its long central park with giant snow sculptures, some the size of buildings, plus an avenue of ice sculptures in Susukino. It is free and draws visitors from around the world.
When
Early February, for about a week
- 2027 dates
- 4 – 11 Feb 2027
- Cost
- Free
- Crowds
- Very heavy on weekends and the national holiday on 11 February
- Time needed
- All day; sculptures are lit after dark
- Nearest station
- Odori (subway) for the main site
In short
- The 2027 festival runs from 4 to 11 February at all three sites. Dates move a little each year, so check before you book.
- See the Odori sculptures twice: once by day for the detail and once after dark, when they are lit and some carry projection-mapping shows.
- Sapporo in February is often below freezing. Wear layers, waterproof boots with grip, gloves and a hat. Our winter guide has a packing list.
- Rooms in central Sapporo sell out months ahead. Book as soon as you know your dates.
- Sidewalks are icy. Take small steps, use shoe spikes and hold the rails on stairs.
What happens when
| Date | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Odori site | Big snow sculptures, citizen sculptures, the international contest and evening light shows | Odori Park, west 1-chome to 11-chome |
| Susukino site | Ice sculptures, an ice-carving contest and sculptures with fish frozen inside | Ekimae-dori in Susukino |
| Tsudome site | Snow slides, snow rafting and food stalls, made for families | Sapporo Community Dome (Tsudome) |
What the Snow Festival is
The festival began in 1950, when local school students built six snow statues in Odori Park. It now covers around 1.5 km of the park and draws visitors from all over the world. The largest sculptures, built with help from Japan's Self-Defense Forces, copy famous buildings and characters at huge scale.
There is also an international snow sculpture contest, where teams from many countries carve blocks of snow in a few days, and dozens of smaller sculptures made by local groups.
The three sites
Odori is the main site, right in the city centre, and the one to see if you have only an evening. Susukino, Sapporo's nightlife district a short walk south, has the ice sculptures, which look best lit up at night.
Tsudome, a domed sports hall a subway ride from the centre, has long snow slides and snow rafting. It is the best stop with children.
Planning your trip
Fly into New Chitose Airport and take the train to Sapporo Station in about 40 minutes. From there, Odori Park is a few minutes by subway or a 15-minute walk through the underground shopping passages, which keep you out of the cold.
Combine the festival with a day in Otaru, a hot spring stay or a ski day. Check the Sapporo weather for typical February temperatures.
Where it happens
Questions
When is the Sapporo Snow Festival 2027?
From 4 to 11 February 2027, at the Odori, Susukino and Tsudome sites.
Is the Sapporo Snow Festival free?
Yes, all three sites are free to enter. You pay only for food, drinks and some rides.
How cold is it?
Daytime highs in early February are often around or below 0°C, and nights are colder. Dress in warm layers and waterproof boots.
Can I see the sculptures at night?
Yes. The Odori and Susukino sculptures are lit after dark, and evening is when they look their best.
Plan around it
Sources
We checked the facts on this page against these sources.
Facts checked 24 October 2026