Are you looking for things to do in Nagoya in December 2019?

Below you will find a curated list of Nagoya events and Nagoya festivals that are going on in December this year. I have included only events that are of interest to foreigners, events that are in English or do not require any understanding of the Japanese language.

If you are looking for things to do in Nagoya in general check out this post. For ideas on what to do in Nagoya with kids, click here.

*Note: If there is an event you would like me to add to this list please let me know in the comments!*

Nagoya Meshi Food Tour

What? 3 hour group food tour about the local Nagoya cuisine with lots of interesting information on food and Nagoya.
When? daily 2:30 p.m.
Where? Sakae
How Much? 12.000 yen
-> More Info Here

Nagoya City Museum Special Exhibition

What? Two special exhibitions at the Nagoya City Museum. One about ‘Excavations in the Japanese Archipelago 2019’ and another about ‘Castles and Castle Towns in Owari District’
When? Nov 16. – Dec 28. 2019
Where? Nagoya City Museum
How Much? 1000 yen
-> More Event Info Here (Japanese only)

The 474th Subscription Concert

What? Two days of concerts at the Aichi Prefectural Arts Theater Concert Hall conducted by Sylvain Cambreling.
When? Dec 6. 6:45 p.m. and Dec 7. 4:00 p.m.
Where? Aichi Prefectural Arts Theater Concert Hall
How Much? S 7,200 Yen; A 6,200 Yen; B 5,100 Yen; C 4,100 Yen; Y (for
persons aged 25 & under, on day, at door) 1,000 Yen. For tickets, call
the Nagoya Philharmonic Ticket Guide on 052-339-5666 (Japanese/English)

Nagoya Kottousai

What? The largest antique fair in the region with antiques from Japan and abroad including crockery, scrolls, swords, tea ceremony utensiles and more.
When? Dec 6. – Dec 8. 2019, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Where? Fukiage Hall
How Much? free
-> More Event Info Here (Japanese only)

The Gift of the Magi

What? English play about Christmas and gift giving. The gift of love is the greatest gift of all.
When? Dec 7. – Dec 8. 2019, 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Where? Higashi Playhouse
How Much? 2500 yen + 500 yen at the door
-> More Event Info Here

Nagoya Meets New History at Nagoya Castle

What? Beautiful art projection on Nagoya Castle showing the past created by creative group 1→10.
When? Dec 14. 2019 – Jan 13. 2020, 6:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Where? Nagoya Castle
How Much? 1000 yen + 200 yen at the door
-> More Event Info Here (Japanese only)

Cultural Night with Geisha at Kawabun Restaurant

What? A unique experience to interact with real Geisha in Nagoya during a night of performance and games.
When? May 5. 2019 – Mar 31. 2020, 9:30 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.
Where? Kawabun
How Much? 4500 yen incl. 1 drink and snack
-> More Event Info Here

Tokugawaen Autumn Leave Illumination

What? The more than 300 maple trees turn to beautiful shades of red. Especially at night during the illumination event the Tokugawa Garden is worth a visit.
When? Nov 24. – Dec 8. 2019, 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. closed Mondays
Illumination: sundown – 8:30 p.m.
Where? Tokugawa Garden
How Much? 300 yen
-> More Event Info Here (Japanese only)

Shirotori Garden Autumn Leave Illumination

What? With more than 1500 trees the Shirotori Garden is an amazing place to visit during the autumn leave season. Special events are held during the period including illuminations and tea ceremonies.
When? Nov 16. – Dec 18. 2019, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. closed Mondays
Illumination 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. except Nov 22. + 23.
Where? Shirotori Garden
How Much? 300 yen
-> More Event Info Here (Japanese only)

teamLab★Future Park and Animals of Flowers, Symbiotic Lives

What? A phantastic exhibition of digital art with flower animals and mezmerizing colors.
When? Nov 30. 2019 – Feb 16. 2020, 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. closed Mondays and Dec 29. – Jan 3.
Where? Nagoya City Science Museum
How Much? 1500 yen
-> More Event Info Here

Non-ice Skate Rink at Oasis 21

What? Ice skating fun for the whole family at this non-ice skate rink in Sakae.
When? Nov 23. 2019 – Mar 1. 2020, weekdays 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., weekends 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Where? Oasis 21
How Much? weekdays 900 yen, weekends 1200 yen, children 500 yen
-> More Event Info Here (Japanese only)

Meieki Avenue Illumination

What? Illumination of Meieki Avenue on the east side of Nagoya Station.
When? Nov 6. 2019 – Jan 13. 2020, 5:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Where? Meieki Avenue from Sakura-dori exit rotary to Sasashima intersection (where the Hirokoji Avenue Illumination starts)
How Much? free

Hirokoji Avenue Illumination

What? Illumination of the 4 kilometer long Hirokoji Avenue. Along the way you will find illuminated artwork.
When? Oct 26. 2019 – Jan 15. 2020, 5:30 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Where? Hirokoji Avenue from Nagoya Station (crossing of Hirokoji-dori and Meieki-dori) to Shin-Sakae (crossing of Hirokoji-dori and Aoi-cho)
How Much? free

Symphony Toyota Building Illumination

What? Illumination of the trees leading to the entrance of the Symphony Toyotoa Building at Nagoya Station.
When? Nov 6. 2019 – Feb 14. 2020, 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Where? Symphony Toyota Building
How Much? free
->Website (Japanese only)

KITTE Nagoya Star Christmas

What? A gigantic Christmas tree with a music lightup on the hour are the highlight of this event. Workshops, concerts, and a prize draw are also held.
When? Nov 15. – Dec 25. 2019,
Where? KITTE Nagoya Building
How Much? free
->More Event Info Here (Japanese only)

Very Merry Christmas 2019 at Sea Train Land

What? The Sea Train Land is celebrating Christmas with an illumination of around 50.000 lights.
When? Nov 23. – Dec 25. 2019, weekdays 12:00 p.m. – 8 p.m., weekends 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Where? Nagoya Port Sea Train Land
How Much? free (rides cost extra)
-> Website (Japanese only)

Nagoya Port Winter Illumination

What? A roof of light at the Nagoya Port is the highlight of this illumination event.
When? Dec 7. – Dec 25. 2019, 4:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Where? Nagoya Port
How Much? free (rides cost extra)
-> More Event Info Here (Japanese only)

Nagoya Central Garden Illumination

What? Champagne-golden illumination with animals at the entrance, on the grass and at the many store fronts of Central Garden.
When? Nov 1. 2019 – Mar 14. 2020, illumination 4:30 p.m. – 11:15 p.m.
Where? Nagoya Central Garden
How Much? free
-> Website (Japanese only)

Nagoya Lucent Tower Winter Illumination

What? The plaza and the entrance of Lucent Tower near Nagoya Station will be decorated with about 45,000 lights, creating a fantastic world.
When? Nov 6. 2019 – Jan 31. 2020, 5:00 p.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Where? Nagoya Lucent Tower
How Much? free
-> Website (Japanese only)

Towers x Gatetower Christmas 2019

What? A 12 meter high Christmas tree and a music Cristmas light show (every 15 minutes) are the highlight of this event. Take a picture with Santa on the 12th floor of the JR Central Towers.
When? Nov 6. – Dec 25. 2019
Where? JR Cental Towers, JR Gate Tower
How Much? free
-> More Info Here (Japanese only)

Nadya Park Christmas

What? Winter illumination at the entrances as well as live music at the 2nd floor atrium of the Nadya Park shopping center.
When? Nov 15. 2019 – Feb 23. 2020, illumination 5:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Where? Nadia Park
How Much? free
-> Website (Japanese only)

Movie Genic Christmas Illumination at Marriott Associa Hotel

What? Moving white raindeer pulling a sledge with an ice bear. Something you haven’t seen before for sure.
When? Nov 6. – Dec 25. 2019
Where? Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel
How Much? free
-> Website

Blossa Winter Illumination 2019

What? An elegant illumination to attract adults with pink golden lights.
When? Nov 20. 2019 – Feb 14. 2020, illumination 4:30 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Where? Blossa
How Much? free
-> Website (Japanese only)

Sakae Minami Osu Winter Illumination

What? The central street of Nagoya leading from Sakae to Osu will be decorated with blue lights on all trees.
When? Nov 15. 2019 – Feb 23. 2020 5:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Where? Otsu-dori Street
How Much? free

Midland Christmas 2019

What? Christmas illumination under the theme ‘White Fantasia’.
When? Nov 6. – Dec 25. 2019, illumination 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Where? Midland Square
How Much? free
-> Website

Noritake Garden Christmas Garden

What? Santa as well as a gigantic Christmas tree will be set up in the garden as well as thousands of lights to illuminate the night. A special Christmas plate is available in the workshop corner of the Craft Center.
When? Nov 9. – Dec 25. 2019
Where? Noritake Garden
How Much? free
-> Website

Hoshigaoka Terrace Winter Illumination

What? Expansive Christmas illumination at the Hoshigaoka Terrace shopping center with Christmas trees and other objects as well as lights twinkling all around.
When? Nov 16. 2019 – Feb 29. 2020, 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Where? Hoshigaoka Terrace
How Much? free
-> More Event Info Here (Japanese only)

Higashiyama Sky Tower Christmas Lightup

What? A gigantic christmas tree and other decoration lights up the HIgashiyama Sky Tower. The view from the 134-meter high tower is also very Christmasy with the millions of lights of the city.
When? Nov 26. – Dec 25. 2019 9:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Where? Higashiyama Sky Tower
How Much? 300 yen
-> Website

ISOGAI Fireworks at Port of Nagoya

What? A fireworks display at the port of Nagoya to celebrate Christmas. (More Christmas ideas in Nagoya here)
When? Dec 21. 2019 6:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
Where? Nagoya Port
How Much? free, reserved seats 3500 yen – 10000 yen
-> More Event Info Here

Tokugawaen New Years Event

What? Various events held at Tokugawaen for Christmas and New Years. There will be pine decorations as well as a Christmas concert.
When? Dec 13. 2019 – Jan 13. 2020, 9:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. closed Mondays
Christmas concert Dec 22. 2019 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m.
Where? Tokugawaen Garden
How Much? 300 yen
-> Website (Japanese only)

Sylvester and New Year Countdown Concert in Atsuta

What? Countdown concert held on the last day of 2019 with specially selected members from Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra and Central Aichi Symphony Orchestra. After the concert head to Atsuta Jingu.
When? Dec 31. 2019 11:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.
Where? Atsuta Cultural Mini Theater
How Much? 3000 yen
-> More Event Information (Japanese only)

Higashi Betsuin Temple D-K Live Digital Kakejiku

What? New Year’s event at the Higashi Betsuin with light show and traditional Noh Theater and other performances. Participate in the first tolling of the bells tradition by ringing the antient bell yourself.
When? Dec 31. 2019 6:30 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.
Where? Higashi Betsuin
How Much? free
-> More Event Information (Japanese only)

Osu Antique Flea Market (Regular)

What? A bustling flea market selling antiques and trinkets. Popular with locals and tourists looking for a bargain or souvenir to take home. (More regular markets in Nagoya here)
When? 18th and 28th each month
Where? Osu Kannon
How Much? free
-> More Event Info Here

Higashi Betsuin Handcraft Morning Market (Regular)

What? A bustling morning market selling handicrafts (jewelry, fashion, and decorations) as well as countless food items (bread, cakes, and lunch options) with hundreds of stalls all around the temple.
When? 28th each month, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Where? Higashi Betsuin
How Much? free
-> More Event Info Here (Japanese only)

If you will also be in Nagoya in the month before or after check out these posts:

• Nagoya in November
• Nagoya in January