Spending Christmas and New Year’s in Niseko combines snowy scenery with a seasonal flair. Resorts and towns lean into holiday spirit, offering fireworks, cultural rituals, torchlight slope shows, and intimate chalet dinners.
Staying in Niseko chalet rentals offers a cozy and private base, keeping you close to resort events. Concierge teams often assist with bookings, transportation, and event information, blending luxury comfort with comprehensive guest services for a completely pampered stay.
To set the scene with numbers: the 2024-25 winter season was a record one for Niseko. Resorts recorded 11.3 million lift and gondola rides across four main resorts, up from approximately 9.97 million in 2023-24, representing a 13.5% year-over-year increase. Snow conditions were strong too: Grand Hirafu measured 11.9 meters (39 ft) at mid-mountain during that season.
Those figures show that Niseko isn’t just busy, it’s thriving. With increasing demand, chalets and resort events during the holidays are in higher demand than ever.
Christmas in Niseko
What activities are available during the Christmas season in Niseko? Aside from hitting the slopes, there are a great deal of holiday celebrations you and your family will definitely enjoy. Here are the Christmas holiday celebrations you shouldn’t miss:
Enjoy a Fireworks Show Over the Slopes
Fireworks are part of the December rhythm and one of the Japanese Christmas traditions in Niseko. Hanazono regularly hosts displays on Saturday evenings and shining shows on Christmas Eve. In 2024, Hanazono’s December 24 evening featured synchronized lighting and music around the base area, along with fireworks.
Each show lasts only a few minutes, but the contrast of color against snow and dark sky makes a strong impression. If you’re not in Hanazono, the Guest Experience team can check which resorts near you are doing displays and arrange transport.
Watch Out for Santa on Skis
A festive Niseko twist: Santa shows up not in a sleigh, but on skis or a snowboard. Hanazono runs a meet-and-greet session on December 24. Kids can enjoy hot cider, cookies, and quick photos with Santa. That event often has limits (e.g., first 200 children) and is conducted near the resort base.
Niseko Village’s Christmas Night also includes Santa moving through public areas, handing out small gifts. Some chalets offer services to arrange a private visit from Santa for families.
Have an Intimate Christmas Dinner at Your Chalet
Many guests prefer to stay in for Christmas Eve or Day. In Niseko, chalets host private chefs who can design menus mixing Western holiday dishes with Japanese elements (say, roast meats alongside local seafood).
The advantages are clear: no waiting in lines, no travel in the cold, and complete control of the evening’s pace. Dining out is possible, and restaurants in Hirafu and Niseko Village often publish set holiday menus; however, they book up quickly. A chalet dinner remains a safe, cozy fallback.
Related article: Five Best Niseko Chalets for Rent for the Winter Holiday
New Year in Niseko
If you think festivities in Niseko end after Christmas, then think again. The New Year’s celebrations are just as lively, offering an array of activities you surely shouldn’t miss.
Watch the Torchlight Descents
New Year’s Eve in Niseko is often marked by torchlight descent events (sometimes dubbed “Fire Riders”). Participants carry torches as they ski or snowboard down the slopes in coordinated patterns, turning trails into glowing ribbons of light.
Grand Hirafu and Annupuri run versions of this. At Annupuri, night skiing is sometimes extended until 11:00 pm or later, allowing guests to ride in the evening before the torchlight run. In Hirafu, instructors often lead the descent, starting just before midnight, followed by a fireworks display.
It’s a dramatic, photo-friendly moment that many visitors plan around. However, timing shifts depending on the conditions, so please ask your chalet’s Guest Experience team for the latest schedule.
Shrine Visits at First Light
On January 1, many locals and visitors observe hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the year. You’ll see bells ringing, small offerings, and often food stalls nearby. In Niseko or nearby towns, shrines welcome early visitors, and some chalets organize group trips for their guests.
This quiet, reflective morning visit contrasts sharply with the energy of the night before, but for many, it becomes the emotional center of their holiday.
Nightlife in Hirafu
If your idea of New Year’s is a party, Hirafu Village is where it happens. Lower Hirafu and the village center feature bars, lounges, and clubs that host DJs, live bands, and countdown programs. Doors often open late, and many venues are full by midnight.
The crowd tends to be international, with skiers and travelers from many countries converging here. Many start with dinner, then shift to bars or lounges around 10 pm and dance past midnight. Due to limited setup and capacity, booking ahead via your chalet or hotel is advisable.
Tips for Guests
Planning a visit to Japan’s snow-capped resort destination during the winter holiday season? Before you begin, here are some tips to help you make the most of your vacation:
Monitor event schedules – Fireworks, Santa, and torchlight runs depend on the weather. Resorts typically publish updates online or through their resort staff.
Dress in layers – Nights are cold. Thermal base layers, insulated outerwear, gloves, and face protection will provide additional warmth.
Reserve early – Private dinners, event passes, and chef services book out quickly.
Use shuttle transport – Many resorts offer evening shuttles to holiday events, making them convenient and safer.
Embrace local rituals – On Dec 31, many locals enjoy toshikoshi soba (year-end noodles) to mark the transition. Some holiday dinners include it.
Catch the first sunrise – Some resorts (e.g., Niseko Village) offer early gondola rides on January 1, allowing guests to witness the first sunrise from a high vantage point.
Take note of snowfall stats – During 2024–25, Grand Hirafu’s mid-mountain station recorded 11.9 meters of snow.
A Celebration of Contrast and Comfort in Niseko
Overall, Christmas and New Year in Niseko offer both spectacle and reflection. You can watch fireworks, ride in torchlight parades, dance late into the night, and still rise early to visit a shrine.
Choosing Niseko holiday chalet rentals gives you the flexibility to do a bit of everything or retreat when you want quiet. With concierge help, arranging a private dinner, event passes, or transport becomes less of a hassle. Many guests find that those private moments in their chalet become as memorable as the public celebrations.
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Featured Image by Hanazono Niseko
