December in Fukuoka and the rest of northern Kyushu has more than lights. Three things happen on fixed dates: Suizenji White Xmas in Kumamoto (December 4–6), the Hakata Odori dance at Hakataza (December 5), and the Umi-no-Nakamichi Candle Night (six evenings, December 12–25). Three exhibitions run past the new year, to January 11, 2027. Light displays and Christmas markets are in Winter Illuminations and Christmas Markets in Fukuoka and Kumamoto 2026, and concerts are in a separate guide.
In short
- Dec 4–6: Suizenji White Xmas, Kumamoto City. Dec 5: Hakata Odori, Hakataza, Fukuoka City.
- Dec 12, 13, 19, 20, 24 and 25: Candle Night at Uminonakamichi Seaside Park, night entry ¥290 for adults.
- Exhibitions to January 11: Pingu (Fukuoka City Science Museum, ¥1,800), Asian art from South Asia (Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, ¥1,000) and Hello Kitty (Nagasaki, ¥2,000).
- The organizers’ pages are in Japanese. The Hakata Odori and White Xmas pages do not state ticket prices or admission.
Checked with official pages on November 2, 2026.
Read next7 pages, swipe sideways
Coming-of-Age Ceremonies in Fukuoka 2027: Dates and Venues in 13 Cities (Jan 10–11)Live
Flea Markets and Antique Fairs in Fukuoka: 8 Dates from Hakozakigu to Gokoku Shrine (2026–27)Play
Winter Flower Spots in Kyushu: 10 Places for Narcissus, Camellia and Wintersweet, with Bloom Times and FeesPlay
New Year’s Eve Countdowns in Kyushu 2026-27: Fireworks, Music, Shrines and Temples, 13 Places with Times and PricesPlay
Momiji Hachimangu Momiji Festival 2026 (Fukuoka): Nov 28–29, with Autumn Illumination from Nov 21 until 20:00Play
Fukuoka Christmas Markets 2026: 9 Free Venues from Hakata Station (Nov 7) to Tenjin, Momochi and Kokura, with Dates and HoursPlay
February 2027 Events in Fukuoka and Kyushu: 30 Setsubun, Hina Matsuri, Plum and Marathon Events by Date and AreaPlay
1. Events on fixed dates in December
| Date | Event | Where | Hours and cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 4–6 | Suizenji White Xmas | Kumamoto City | 12:00–20:30 (Dec 4 from 16:00). Cost not stated |
| Dec 5 | Hakata Odori, 32nd | Hakataza, Fukuoka City | 3 shows: 10:30, 14:00, 17:00. Price not stated |
| Dec 12–13, 19–20, 24–25 | Umi-no-Nakamichi Candle Night | Uminonakamichi Seaside Park, Fukuoka City | 17:30–20:45. Night entry ¥290 |
Suizenji White Xmas, Kumamoto City
Kumamoto City
The historic Janes House at Suizenji Ezuko Park is lit with warm lights and Christmas candles, which the city’s tourism page calls among the largest in Japan. It runs Friday, December 4 to Sunday, December 6, 2026, from 12:00 to 20:30 each day, but on December 4 the gates open at 16:00. The city’s tourism page states no admission fee. There is no parking, so use the Kumamoto City Tram and get off at Shiritsu Taiikukan-mae. Google Maps.
Hakata Odori, Hakataza
Fukuoka Chamber of Commerce and Industry
The 32nd Hakata Odori is on Saturday, December 5, 2026, at Hakataza Theater, 2-1 Shimokawabata-machi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City. There are three parts: 10:30 (120 minutes, opening with an address from local business leaders), 14:00 (90 minutes) and 17:00 (90 minutes). Online sales end at 23:59 on Monday, November 30, through Confetti and Lawson Ticket. After that, tickets are sold at the Hakataza box office on the day. The page does not state prices. For other Hakataza shows, see Hakataza Theater Schedule. Google Maps.
Candle Night, Uminonakamichi Seaside Park
Fukuoka Prefecture tourism site
The Candle Night is held at the park’s open-air theater on Saturday and Sunday, December 12–13 and 19–20, and Thursday and Friday, December 24–25, 2026. Hours are 17:30 to 20:45, with last entry at 20:15, and it is canceled in bad weather. Night admission from 17:00 is ¥290 for adults (15 and over), ¥210 for ages 65 and over, and free for junior high students and younger. The page lists a 10,000-candle display, a lit canal, light displays and a limited-time lit steam locomotive ride, with hot food on sale. Parking is available; the page gives no price. Park phone: 092-603-1111. Address: 18-25 Saitozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka City. Google Maps.
2. Exhibitions that run to January 11, 2027
| Exhibition | Where | Hours and closed days | Adult price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pingu exhibition, from Nov 21 | Fukuoka City Science Museum, 3F | 9:30–18:00. Closed Tuesdays, Dec 28–Jan 1 | ¥1,800 |
| Asian Art Walk, South Asia, from Sep 19 | Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, 7F | 9:30–18:00 (to 20:00 Fri and Sat). Closed Wednesdays, Dec 26–Jan 1 | ¥1,000 |
| Hello Kitty exhibition, from Oct 17 | Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum | 10:00–20:00. Closed Dec 14 and Dec 28–Jan 1 | ¥2,000 |
For the Pingu exhibition, high school students pay ¥1,000, elementary and junior high students ¥600, and preschool children are free. Tickets are sold through ARTNE Online and other ticket agencies, not at the museum counter. Entry is until 17:30, and on January 11 it closes at 15:00. The Asian Art Museum’s South Asia show is ¥800 for high school and university students; the museum’s page does not give a separate price for children. The Hello Kitty exhibition charges junior and senior high students ¥1,500 and elementary students ¥1,000. Preschoolers are free, last entry is 30 minutes before closing, and on January 2 and 3 it closes at 18:00.
Sources (checked November 2026)
6 pages we checked
- Kumamoto City tourism site: Suizenji White Xmas 2026 (Japanese)
- Fukuoka Chamber of Commerce: Hakata Odori (Japanese)
- Crossroad Fukuoka: Umi-no-Nakamichi Candle Night 2026 (Japanese)
- Fukuoka City Science Museum: Pingu exhibition (Japanese)
- Fukuoka Asian Art Museum (Japanese)
- Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum: Hello Kitty exhibition (Japanese)
