Sapporo Snow Festival 2027: Dates, Sites, Hours, and What You Actually Need to Book
The 77th Sapporo Snow Festival runs Feb 4–11, 2027. All three sites are free, and you don't need a ticket to see the snow and ice sculptures. Anyone selling you festival "entry" is selling something else: a tour, a hotel or transport.
What you do need to sort out early is where you'll sleep and how you'll get there. On Nov 6, 2026 we checked the festival's official announcement, FAQ and site pages. The 2027 site details are due from mid-December 2026.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. The festival itself is free and has no official ticket.
When is the Sapporo Snow Festival 2027?
The organisers announced on July 13, 2026 that the 77th festival runs Feb 4 (Thu) to Feb 11 (Thu, national holiday), 2027, eight days, at the same three sites as usual.
The official news post "2027さっぽろ雪まつり（第77回）の開催概要について" (Jul 13, 2026) gives the dates and the three sites.
The FAQ repeats the 2027 dates and gives the viewing hours below.
Each site page says the 2027 programme will be posted from mid-December 2026. The event lists on them today are for 2026.
Do you need tickets for the Snow Festival?
No. The FAQ answers this directly: all sites are free. You walk in and out of Odori Park and Susukino at any hour.
A few things inside do cost money: the skating rink at Odori 3-chome, and some attractions at Tsudome. In 2026, Tsudome's snow rafting ride cost ¥1,200 for adults and ¥600 for elementary age and younger. The 2027 prices haven't been announced yet; the site pages are due to be updated from mid-December 2026.
When to go: light-up hours and the best time of day
Odori
The giant snow sculptures. Go once by day and once after dark.
Susukino
Ice sculptures in the entertainment district. Last day: lit until 22:00.
Tsudome
Snow slides and play areas. Rides may stop taking people early when it's busy.
What should you book early?
- Your hotel, first. Staying near Odori or Susukino means you can walk to both sites. Book as soon as your dates are fixed, and check the cancellation terms.
- Flights to New Chitose. Then the train into town: JR from New Chitose to Sapporo takes about an hour. New Chitose Airport to Sapporo →
- Any day trips. If you want to add Otaru, a ski day or a snow park, book once your dates are fixed.Winter tours from Sapporo that combine Otaru and a snow park.Otaru winter day tour on Klook ↗
- Nothing for the festival itself. There is no ticket to buy.
How to get to each site
An IC card works on the subway. Suica, ICOCA and Kitaca →
How cold is it, and what should you wear?
February is Sapporo's coldest time; the festival FAQ gives an average of −2.3 °C. You'll be outside for hours.
- A proper winter coat over layers. The FAQ warns that a thin coat won't be enough.
- Hat, ear warmers and gloves
- Shoes with grooved winter soles, or slip-on ice grips: about ¥1,000 at the official shop, convenience stores and station kiosks
- The official shop also lends walking sticks for free
Is a Snow Festival tour worth it?
For the festival itself, no: it's free, central and easy to walk. A tour can help for day trips around Sapporo, such as Otaru and a snow park in one day, if you'd rather not plan the transport yourself.
Otaru and snow park day tour from Sapporo
Check the price, cancellation terms, what's included, the guide language and the meeting point on the listing before you book.
Affiliate linksPlanning the rest of your Hokkaido trip?
Book your bed, pack for −2 °C, and walk in. We'll update this page when the 2027 programme comes out in mid-December.