As December arrives, supermarkets are filled with sweets in boot-shaped containers, and the season of holiday songs fills the streets.
Speaking of Christmas, one of the joys is the Christmas tree decorated with various ornaments. At Kurashiki Ivy Square, we discovered six different types of Christmas trees, each with a unique taste.
Kurashiki Ivy Square will host the Kurashiki Christmas Market (倉敷クリスマスマーケット), which attracted about 20,000 visitors last year (2024) and was a great success, and it will be held again in 2025.
Compared to previous years, the event hours will be extended, and the event space will be larger. Let's take a closer look at the highlights of Kurashiki Christmas Market 2025.
What is Kurashiki Christmas Market 2025
At Kurashiki Christmas Market 2025, stores from Okayama Prefecture will set up booths themed around Christmas, including restaurants, flower shops, and miscellaneous goods, and workshops are also planned.
Previously held on Fridays and Saturdays, in 2025 the event will be held on Saturdays and Sundays, with the schedule changed to both days on the weekend. Additionally, the start time will be from 11 AM, significantly extending the event hours.
| Event Dates | December 13 (Saturday) & 14 (Sunday), 2025 Rain or shine |
| Event Hours | December 13 (Saturday) 11 AM - 9 PM (Last order at 8:30 PM) December 14 (Sunday) 11 AM - 7 PM (Last order at 6:30 PM) |
| Venue | Kurashiki Ivy Square ※ Courtyard Square, Ivy Gakukan, West Gate Area, Aimi Red Brick Hall, Aimi Workshop Front |
| Admission Fee | Free |
Participating Stores
The number of participating stores remains at 57, the same as in 2024, but the breakdown of the stores has changed.
In the inaugural year of Kurashiki Christmas Market 2023, food vendors were prominent, but over the years, the number of miscellaneous goods sales and workshops has increased. In 2025, 16 stores will hold workshops.
Additionally, the Aimi Red Brick Hall, which only had a food space in 2024, will also feature food and workshop stores. With food vendors lined up in the West Gate Area, visitors entering Kurashiki Ivy Square from the Bikan Historical Area may be tempted by the delicious aromas and find it hard to reach the courtyard.
Check the map below to find your favorite stores and head to the venue.
On the day of the event, it is expected that the communication lines within the venue will be congested.
It is recommended to download or take a screenshot of the map in advance before heading to the venue.
Expectations for High School and University Students
A significant change from previous years is that local high school students will enliven the stage events.
- Okayama Prefectural Kurashiki High School
Performance by the brass band - Okayama Prefectural Kurashiki Seiryo High School
Brass band performance and dance - Okayama Prefectural Kurashiki Commercial High School
Calligraphy performance
The stage events by high school students will be showcased during the opening on the first day and are scheduled to be held several times over the two days.
Local high school and university students will also be active in food and miscellaneous goods sales & workshops.
- Okayama University of Science
・Food 12 SORA - Okayama Prefectural Kurashiki Commercial High School
・Food 35 Kurashiki Commercial High School Café Tsumugu
・Miscellaneous goods & workshop Kurashiki Commercial High School Kurashiki Tsumugu Project
Okayama University of Science will provide sake developed in collaboration with a local brewery and fruit liqueurs made from local fruits.
Okayama Prefectural Kurashiki Commercial High School will sell lemon squash and denim cookies made with edible bamboo charcoal developed in collaboration with local companies, as well as Kurashiki madeleines.
In the miscellaneous goods & workshop section, there will be workshops for making small items using tatami edging and Sanada cord, as well as sales of small items.
Both are noteworthy initiatives that utilize local companies and traditional crafts of Kurashiki.
Additionally, student volunteers will be responsible for guidance and cleaning within the venue.
Until 2024, the event was operated solely by the Kurashiki Christmas Market Executive Committee, but it seems to be gradually becoming an event created together with the community.
SURVEY CAMPAIGN
Until 2024, a campaign was held where participants could win discount coupons or products usable at participating stores through Instagram posts with a designated hashtag, but there will be none in 2025.
A new official website campaign called "Visitor Exclusive! Survey Campaign" will offer discount coupons or products usable at participating stores through a lottery among survey respondents.
With over 100 gifts available, there are many chances for participants. The response period is also generous, lasting until January 15, 2026 (Thursday), so be sure to participate.
Venue Decorations Unique to Christmas
Continuing from 2024, a 5-meter tall Christmas tree decorated by local decorator Nose Seiko will appear in the courtyard square.
Last year, the decoration was themed mainly in red, but in 2025, gold decorations will be added in addition to red.
The top star, which is about 80 cm tall, is also handmade by Nose.
In addition to the courtyard square, there are Christmas trees decorated by Nose at the following spots:
- In front of the entrance
- In front of Restaurant Tsuta (two trees)
- Aimi Red Brick Hall
- Next to the street piano
This tree will be on display from November 9 (Sunday) to December 25 (Thursday), 2025, so if you want to take your time for photos, it is recommended to visit outside of the event period.
It also seems fun to explore the venue while searching for each Christmas tree, from classic decorations to pop decorations.
Interview with the Kurashiki Christmas Market 2025 Organizers
We spoke with Aoki Noa from the Kurashiki Christmas Market Executive Committee about the background and highlights of Kurashiki Christmas Market 2025.
Please tell us the purpose of holding the Kurashiki Christmas Market.
Aoki (no honorifics)
Before this event, there were no large events that could be considered winter traditions in the Bikan Historical Area of Kurashiki.
Therefore, we started this Kurashiki Christmas Market with the idea of holding a winter event at Kurashiki Ivy Square, which is close to the Bikan Historical Area, the top tourist destination in Kurashiki, to let people know about Kurashiki's new charm.
The vendors are mainly workshop creators and restaurants active in Okayama, including Kurashiki, which reflects our desire to further develop Kurashiki.
We have been holding this event as a place for many visitors and vendors to gather and enjoy, and this will be the third time in 2025.
Last year (2024), there were about 20,000 visitors. It was surprising to see people everywhere.
Aoki
Last year, it was held on Friday and Saturday, so on Saturday, there were lines extending towards the Bikan Historical Area even before opening.
While it is wonderful to have so many people come, there is a limit to the venue's capacity. Therefore, in 2025, we changed the event days to Saturday and Sunday, as many visitors requested.
Additionally, by changing the start time to the morning instead of the evening, we are also trying to distribute the arrival times of visitors.
Especially, the workshops will have many projects that children can enjoy, so we hope families can have a great time during the daylight hours.
Also, the food booths will offer a variety of Christmas-themed alcoholic beverages, such as hot wine. Adults should definitely enjoy some daytime drinking.
The number of workshops has been increasing year by year.
Aoki
That's right.
Last year, the workshops were very popular.
Many vendors primarily participate in events like this without having their own stores, and the ability to create original goods unique to Christmas is also appealing, so many people participated in the workshops during this opportunity.
There are many workshops that children can participate in, so I thought families would be the main target, but it was impressive to see people of all ages, from young to old, participating side by side in the workshops.
This event is held earlier than Christmas Day, so you can enjoy the handmade goods created in the workshops at home for a while. Please do consider participating in the workshops.
I would like to hear Aoki-san's recommended ways to enjoy it.
Aoki
This year, we will open at 11 AM, so I hope you come early and take your time to enjoy the venue. The food booths will have a wide range of offerings, from hearty meals to sweets and drinks, so feel free to customize your menu to your liking.
Additionally, I personally find the daytime Christmas tree to be attractive, so I hope you take your time to enjoy it. The illuminations sparkling under the night sky are beautiful, but my favorite is the Christmas ornaments reflecting the sunlight during the day.
The glass-made ornaments and the cute red and gold Christmas balls both shine beautifully.
In 2025, there will also be stage presentations and booths by local high school and university students.
Aoki
Until last year, there were many families and adults attending, so this year I hope students will feel free to come as well. I look forward to seeing a wider age range of attendees, including friends and their parents, thanks to high school and university students presenting and setting up booths.
On the day of the event, students from junior high to university are expected to volunteer. Until last year, the executive committee was responsible for waste collection and guidance, but we decided to ask for volunteers in anticipation of an increase in attendees.
We want to continue to make this event open to the community and update our operations every year so that it becomes a regular winter event in Kurashiki.
Is there anything we should prepare for our visit?
Aoki
Since there are many vendors and the venue is spread out, I recommend checking the map on the official website to pinpoint your favorite shops. However, due to congestion on the day, the communication environment may become unstable. It is advisable to download the map in advance or take a screenshot for peace of mind.
Similarly, there may be times when online payments or credit card transactions do not go smoothly, so please prepare cash as well.
Additionally, the parking lot at Kurashiki Ivy Square is prioritized for guests staying overnight or attending banquets. The municipal parking lot was nearly full last year, so we would like to ask you to use public transportation when visiting.
Please send a message to the readers.
Aoki
With 57 shops, the venue is a place where you can enjoy from day to night. Please take your time and enjoy spending a whole day at the venue.
We look forward to your visit.
Conclusion
I am one of those who look forward to the Kurashiki Christmas Market every year since its first event held in 2023.
I feel that it is becoming a regular winter event in Kurashiki that is increasingly ingrained as the number of shops and event spaces expands and the number of attendees increases year by year.
I believe that the lack of winter events in Kurashiki is one reason people gather, but more than that, the compatibility of the European architecture of Kurashiki Ivy Square with Christmas decorations allows for an extraordinary experience, which is another charm.
This year, there will also be empty spaces without shops in each area, so why not enjoy the Christmas atmosphere while taking photos and enjoying the scenery, in addition to food and workshops?
Articles about the Kurashiki Christmas Market
Data for Kurashiki Christmas Market 2025
| Name | Kurashiki Christmas Market 2025 |
|---|---|
| Dates | December 13, 2025 (Saturday) 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM (Last order at 8:30 PM) December 14, 2025 (Sunday) 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM (Last order at 6:30 PM) |
| Location | 7-2 Honmachi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Participation Fee (Tax Included) | Free admission |
| Website | Kurashiki Ivy Square |
