Winter in Osaka comes alive with dazzling illuminations, vibrant traditional festivals wishing for business prosperity, and thrilling sports events that are sure to get your heart racing.
This article carefully selects and introduces some of the most representative events taking place in Osaka from December 2025 to February 2026. Please use this as your guide to make the most of your winter experience in Osaka.
*If you purchase or reserve products introduced in this article, a portion of the sales may be returned to FUN! JAPAN.
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Illuminations and Countdown Events at Midosuji and Universal Studios Japan
Midosuji & Nakanoshima Area: Festival of Lights in Osaka
A winter tradition in Osaka since 2013! The "Festival of Lights" features two main programs: the "Midosuji Illumination," which stretches for about 4 km, and the "OSAKA Hikari Renaissance," which lights up the Nakanoshima area, a symbol of Osaka, the city of water. "OSAKA Hikari Renaissance," will also feature a market offering gourmet food and unique goods. Experience a special night where the entire city sparkles with grand-scale, fantastical light art.
Festival of Lights in Osaka
- Address: Various locations in Kita Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
- Event Area: Midosuji, around Osaka City Hall to Nakanoshima Park, and more
- Event Period: November 3, 2025 (Mon) – January 31, 2026 (Sat)
- Official Website: https://www.hikari-kyoen.com/
Universal Studios Japan: Universal Christmas Joy
This year, Universal Studios Japan (USJ) is celebrating Christmas with the theme: "Shine as your true self and experience the most fulfilling joy ever!" The entire park will be filled with a special atmosphere, featuring the brand-new night show "Light Up the Night" and a food festival offering exclusive Christmas menus. The hugely popular "Hogwarts™ Magical Night – Winter Magic" will also return this year.
👉Click here for a convenient and affordable transfer from your hotel in the city to USJ
Universal Studios Japan: NO LIMIT! COUNTDOWN 2026
This is a one-night-only special event at USJ! From the night of December 31st until the following night, you can enjoy the park for up to 26 hours straight.
At the stroke of midnight, spectacular fireworks will light up the night sky, and a special stage will feature a lineup of the most popular shows and entertainment from 2025 for an electrifying countdown! Attractions will be open all night, so you can welcome the New Year in the midst of excitement and unity.
👉Click here for a convenient and affordable transfer from your hotel in the city to USJ
Universal Studios Japan
- Access: Just a short walk from Universal City Station
- Event period: Wednesday, November 19, 2025 – Sunday, January 4, 2026
- Official Website: https://www.usj.co.jp/web/ja/jp/events/christmas-2025/universal-christmas
Osaka Castle: Osaka Castle Illuminage
Set against the majestic Osaka Castle keep, this is one of Japan’s largest historical illumination events, blending light and history! In 2025, the theme is "Toyotomi’s Dream... Unification of the Nation," featuring dazzling illuminated samurai armor and the popular "Osaka Illumination Sightseeing Series" from last year. Famous Osaka landmarks like Tsutenkaku Tower are recreated in lights. The Nishinomaru Garden transforms into a fantastical world of light, as if you’ve traveled back in time!
👉[kkday] Purchase discounted tickets for Osaka Castle Illuminage
Osaka Castle
- Address: 2 Osakajo, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka (Osaka Castle Nishinomaru Garden)
- Access: 10-minute walk from Osakajokoen Station
- Event period: Saturday, November 1, 2025 – Sunday, February 1, 2026
- Official Website: https://illuminagegroup.com/%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E5%9F%8E%E3%82%A4%E3%83%AB%E3%83%9F%E3%83%8A%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B8%E3%83%A52025/
Tennoji Park: Christmas Market in Osaka Tenshiba
This popular event attracted 280,000 visitors last year. At Tennoji Park "Tenshiba," three giant Christmas trees and a tunnel of lights create a magical atmosphere throughout the venue. German-made wooden huts (Hütte) line the area, offering German Glühwein (hot wine), sausages, and Christmas goods, allowing you to experience an exotic Christmas ambiance.
Osaka Tenshiba
- Address: 5-55 Chausuyama-cho, Tennoji-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka (Tennoji Park)
- Access: 5-minute walk from Tennoji Station
- Event Period: Friday, November 28, 2025 – Thursday, December 25, 2025
- Official Website: https://osaka-christmasmarket.com/
Hirakata Park: Amusement Park of Lights ~Flowering Illumination Rose~
The largest illumination event along the Keihan Line! In 2025, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Rose Garden, the park will be decorated with gorgeous rose-themed illuminations.
In addition to the ever-popular giant tree "Flower and Fairy Tree," which stands over 13 meters tall, the "Rose Merry-Go-Round," which was a hit in spring and is lavishly decorated with a rose theme, will make a return. More than 20 night attractions will also be illuminated, letting you enjoy a romantic amusement park at night.
👉[kkday] Purchase discounted tickets for Hirakata Park
Hirakata Park
- Address: 1-1 Hirakata Koen-cho, Hirakata-shi, Osaka
- Access: 3-minute walk from Hirakata Koen Station
- Event Period: Selected dates from Saturday, November 1, 2025 to Sunday, April 5, 2026
- Official Website: https://www.hirakatapark.co.jp/
Traditional Osaka Events and Festivals
Hiraoka Shrine: Shimekake Shinji (Shimekake Ritual)
Also known as the "Warai Shinji (Laughter Ritual)," this ceremony is based on the legend that "the laughter of the gods opened the Heavenly Rock Cave (*)," and people laugh heartily during the short days of winter to call forth the sun and pray for happiness.
The chief priest starts by laughing "Ah-ha-ha!" and then everyone continues laughing for 20 minutes in this uniquely Osaka traditional event.
(*) The Heaven's Rock Cave (Amano Iwato) is a cave from Japanese mythology where the sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami is said to have hidden herself.
Hiraoka Shrine
- Address: 7-16 Izumoicho, Higashi-Osaka-shi, Osaka
- Access: 2-minute walk from Matsuoka Station
- Event Date: Every year on December 23
- Official Website: http://www.hiraoka-jinja.org/index.html
Sumiyoshi Taisha: Oharaeshiki & Joyasai
The Oharaeshiki is a traditional year-end purification ritual held on New Year's Eve. At Sumiyoshi Taisha, it takes place every year on December 31, where people pray for the removal of sins and impurities accumulated over the year, as well as for protection from epidemics and for good fortune in the coming year.
Next, at the Joyasai (New Year's Eve Festival), people express gratitude for the past year and pray for a good New Year.
Sumiyoshi Taisha
- Address: 2-9-89 Sumiyoshi, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
- Access: 3-minute walk from Sumiyoshi Taisha Station
- Event period: Every year on December 31
- Official Website: https://www.sumiyoshitaisha.net/
Imamiya Ebisu Shrine: Toka Ebisu Festival
Imamiya Ebisu Shrine, known as the deity of prosperous business, hosts this iconic winter event in Osaka every year from January 9th to 11th. With the lively chant of "Shobai hanjo! Sasa mottekoi!" ("Bring the lucky bamboo for business prosperity!"), many worshippers gather. On the main day, January 10th, called "Hon Ebisu," the shrine grounds are packed with people receiving lucky bamboo branches (Fukuzasa), and the excitement reaches its peak! This is a traditional event where you can truly feel the vibrant spirit of Osaka.
Imamiya Ebisu Shrine
- Address: 1-6-10 Ebisunishi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
- Event dates: Every year from January 9th to 11th
- Access: Right next to Imamiya Ebisu Station, 8-minute walk from Daikokucho Station
- Official Website: https://www.imamiya-ebisu.jp/
Osaka Tenmangu Shrine: Ebisu Festival
This festival is held every year from January 9th to 11th at Osaka Tenmangu Shrine, affectionately known as "Tenjin-san of Tenma." As a shrine dedicated to the deity of learning, a unique feature is the "Tenma Ebisu Shofuku Musume" (Good Fortune Maidens), selected from female university students across Japan, who add color to the festival. Many visitors come to receive lucky bamboo branches (Fukuzasa) from the Shofuku Musume, wishing for business prosperity and academic success.
Osaka Tenmangu Shrine
- Address: 2-1-8 Tenjinbashi, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
- Event dates: Every year from January 9th to 11th
- Access: 3-minute walk from Osaka Tenmangu Station or Minami-Morimachi Station
Shitennoji Temple: Shusho-e Ketsugan Hoyo (修正会結願法要)
Known as one of Japan's three great eccentric festivals, this is a dynamic traditional event at Shitennoji Temple, also called "Doya Doya."
Every year on January 14th, young men dressed in red and white fundoshi (traditional loincloths) compete fiercely to grab the sacred Gozu Ho-in talismans, believed to bring good fortune, while praying for a bountiful harvest. The event is filled with energy and excitement.
Shitennoji Temple
- Address: 1-11-18 Shitennoji, Tennoji-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
- Event date: Every year on January 14th
- Access: 5-minute walk from Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka Station
- Official Website: https://www.shitennoji.or.jp/
Other Large-Scale Events: 10,000-Person "Daiku" Chorus and International Marathons
Osaka-jo Hall: Suntory 10,000-Person "Daiku" Chorus
This is a classic year-end event held every early December. Under the direction of a professional conductor, 10,000 general participants sing Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 together. The 2025 event will mark the 43rd time it has been held.
Osaka-jo Hall
- Address: 3-1 Osaka-jo, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
- Event date: Sunday, December 7, 2025
- Access: 5-minute walk from Osakajokoen Station
- Official Website: https://www.suntory.co.jp/culture-sports/daiku/
INTEX Osaka: FM802 ROCK FESTIVAL RADIO CRAZY 2025
FM802 presents this omnibus rock event every year at the end of the year—a massive rock year-end party known as "Radikure(Radio Crazy)." This year, it will be held over four days, featuring powerful performances by artists such as OKAMOTO'S, Creepy Nuts, and Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, thrilling the audience.
INTEX Osaka
- Address: 1-5-102 Nanko-kita, Suminoe-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
- Event dates: Friday, December 26; Saturday, December 27; Sunday, December 28; Monday, December 29, 2025
- Access: 5-minute walk from Nakafuto Station
- Official Website: https://radiocrazy.fm/
INTEX Osaka: SUPER COMIC CITY Kansai 31
This is a large-scale fan event known as one of the largest all-genre doujinshi conventions in western Japan.
Creators from all genres—including comics, anime, novels, and games—gather to distribute and sell their self-published doujinshi and goods. The venue also provides a dedicated changing room for cosplayers, making it a popular event not only for general attendees but also for those who want to fully enjoy the event by dressing up as their favorite characters.
INTEX Osaka
- Address: 1-5-102 Nanko-Kita, Suminoe-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
- Date: Sunday, January 11, 2026
- Access: 5-minute walk from Nakafuto Station
- Official Website: https://www.akaboo.jp/event/item/20202541.html
Osaka City: Osaka Women's Marathon & Osaka Half Marathon
This event features Japan’s premier women’s full marathon and a half marathon open to general runners, both held on the same day. The Osaka Half Marathon starts at Osaka Castle Park and finishes at Yanmar Stadium Nagai. There are also points along the course where you can pass by the elite runners of the Osaka Women's Marathon. It’s a must-see event for marathon fans.
- Area: Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
- Date: Sunday, January 25, 2026
- Official Websites:
https://www.osaka-marathon.jp/ (Osaka Marathon)
https://half.osaka-marathon.jp/(Osaka Half Marathon)
HEP HALL: Osaka Theater Festival 2026
A theater event held at HEP HALL, the birthplace of the small theater boom in Osaka. With the theme of “Connection,” theater troupes based in the Kansai region will perform original works.
Osaka Theater Festival 2026
- Address: HEP FIVE 8F (HEP HALL), 5-15 Kakuda-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
- Date: Saturday, February 14, 2026 – Monday, February 23, 2026
- Access: 5-minute walk from Osaka-Umeda Station
Osaka City: Osaka Marathon 2026
This is one of Japan’s leading urban marathons, where the entire city of Osaka is swept up in excitement. The race starts in front of the Osaka Prefectural Government Office and finishes inside Osaka Castle Park. Not only do about 30,000 runners participate, but the event is also known for its enthusiastic roadside cheering and active charity initiatives. The time limit is 7 hours.
- Area: Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
- Date: Sunday, February 22, 2026
- Official Website: https://www.osaka-marathon.com/
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