April

While there is still snow left on the surrounding mountains, spring has arrived in downtown Sapporo. The harbingers of spring?butterbur sprouts and Japanese dog’s tooth violets?have already been spotted sprouting up through a covering of snow. With the arrival of spring, the river ice will melt away and the sounds of rushing rivers fill the air.

Events

Kuriyama,Shinise Festival（Kuriyama）
Jozanekei Hotspring Keiryu Koinobori （carp streamers display）

May

In May cheery blossoms come into full bloom. During the long period of back-to-back national holidays in early May called “Golden Week”, many people go out and enjoy the spring. Around the end of May, when the colorful lilac flowers are at their best, the Lilac Festival is held in Odori Park.

Events

Jozanekei Hotspring Keiryu Konobori （carp streamers display）
Release of salmon fry into the Toyohira River
Sapporo Lilac Festival
Mt. Moiwa Festival

June

Located so far north, Sapporo has a long daytime around the time of the summer solstice. Dawn comes around 3 o’clock in the morning. All the flowers in the flower beds burst into bloom in this, the driest month. Come to the city in this rain-free season and enjoy the refreshing breeze.

Events

Yosakoi Soran Festival
Main Festival of Hokkaido Shrine （Sapporo Festival）
Sapporo Flower Festival

July

With the arrival of long-awaited summer, many events are held. For beer lovers, outdoor beer gardens open at various locations. When schools break for the summer, families flock to camp grounds and beaches. The city is filled with music, as several famous music events are held, such as Pacific Music Festival and Sapporo City Jazz. In the evening, fireworks displays are held on the banks of the Toyohira River, which runs through the city.

Events

Pacific Music Festival
Fireworks Display on the Banks of Toyohira River
Summer Ski Jump Competition
Sapporo Ikada Rafting Race
Sapporo Summer Festival
Sapporo City Jazz
Otaru Ushio Festival

August

Hot but not humid, summer in Sapporo is very comfortable. Even downtown you will find yourself surrounded by deep lush green. Sapporo is rich in nature, and part of the Shikotsu Toya National Park is located within the city limits. Outdoor beer gardens are open until the middle of August, just before the night time temperatures drop and the winds become chilly. After the Bon Festival in the middle of August, fall semester starts at schools and the short summer comes to an end.

Events

Sapporo Summer Festival
Susukino Festival
Sapporo City Jazz
Rising Sun Rock Festival in Ezo

September

The weather becomes cooler, feeling more like autumn. Salmon swim up the Toyohira River, which runs through the city center, to spawn. With the start of the fall harvest season, many autumn festivals are held, including Sapporo Autumn Fest, where various local Hokkaido foods are on offer.

Events

Sapporo Autumn Festival
Tour de Hokkaido
Ashiricheppunomi （traditional annual Ainu ceremony to mark the beginning of salmon fishing）
Indian Waterwheel Festival （Chitose City）

October

The leaves of the trees in the surrounding mountains turn to autumn colors in early October, with the trees in the city gradually following suit. But you don’t have to leave the city to enjoy the fall colors because just a visit to a nearby park will be enough. In fact, there are abundant autumn colors everywhere. In orchards, juicy red apples are ready for the picking. Around the end of October, we see the first snowfall.

Events

Lake Shikotsu Autumn Foliage Festival （Chitose City）
Sapporo Chrysanthemum Festival

November

In November, the days become shorter, temperatures drop, and it begins to snow more often. From the end of November, the annual Sapporo White Illumination and Munich Christmas Market in Sapporo are both held. After dark, the city sky is illuminated with numerous lights. Autumn is also the season for music lovers, and a variety of concerts are held at Kitara Concert Hall and other places in the city.

Events

Sapporo Art Stage
Sapporo White Illumination
Munich Christmas Market in Sapporo

December

The snowy season starts in earnest as it begins to snow almost every day. The record shows we have an average of 25 days of snow in December. So we can expect a white Christmas every year. Trees illuminated with fairy lights add to the winter wonderland atmosphere.　On New Year’s Eve, countdown events welcoming a new year are held in Sapporo.

Events

Sapporo White Illumination
Munich Christmas Market in Sapporo

January

During new year’s holidays, Hokkaido Shrine is crowded with people who pray for good luck in the new year. The air feels crisp and refreshing around this time of the year when the average monthly temperature is the lowest. Citizens of Sapporo love watching ski jump competitions held at Okurayama and Miyanomori Ski Jump Hills. Also they enjoy skiing at ski links, located within half an hour drive from downtown Sapporo. After skiing, how about soaking in the hot spring bath and refresh yourself?

Events

Chitose: Shikotsuko Hyoto Ice Festival （Chitose City）

February

Early in February, the annual Sapporo Snow Festival is held, attracting millions of visitors to Sapporo from around the world. Huge snow statues and ice sculptures are made in Odori Park. Around this season the city of Sapporo is entirely covered with a silver blanket of snow.

Events

Sapporo Snow Festival
Otaru Snow Gleaming Festival （ Otaru city ）

March

In March it still snows occasionally, but the sunshine is getting stronger day by day. The snow that has accumulated on the mountains starts to melt. The melted snow gives Sapporo high quality water and also delicious sake. Around this time of the year sake brewed with fresh Sapporo water is ready to be served. Also this is the last chance to enjoy the snow-covered scenery as you take an outdoor hot spring bath at Jozankei Onsen, which is just a short drive away from the city center.

Events

Ski jump competitions
Sapporo Moiwayama Ski Area Festival