December has arrived, and the season filled with Christmas mood has come.
From JR Kurashiki Station to the Bikan Historical Area, the opportunities to see colorful illuminations and Christmas trees are increasing everywhere.
Kurashiki has not had a Christmas-specific event for a long time, but last year (2023), a two-day limited market called "Kurashiki Christmas Market 2023" was held at Kurashiki Ivy Square.
The Kurashiki Christmas Market 2023, featuring 35 vendors, was a huge success with many items selling out. The Kurashiki Christmas Market 2024 will also be held in 2024.
What is Kurashiki Christmas Market 2024
At Kurashiki Christmas Market 2024, stores from Okayama Prefecture will set up booths with a Christmas theme.
Restaurants, flower shops, and shops selling miscellaneous goods will participate, and workshops are also planned.
| Basic Information about Kurashiki Christmas Market 2024 | |
|---|---|
| Date | December 13 (Friday) and 14 (Saturday), 2024, held rain or shine |
| Time | 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM (last order at 8:30 PM) |
| Location | Kurashiki Ivy Square ※ Courtyard Square, Ivy Learning Center, West Gate Area, in front of the pottery shop |
| Admission | Free |
Participating Stores
In 2023, there were 35 vendors, but in 2024, the number has significantly increased to 57.
Some stores will only participate for one day, so be sure to check when your favorite store will be there.
There will be many delicious food options, not just drinks and sweets, so I hope to go to the venue with an empty stomach.
At Kurashiki Christmas Market 2024, each vendor will offer Christmas-themed food and services prepared for this day.
In 2023, there were popular foods like hot wine and currywurst, which are also favorites at authentic European Christmas markets, so expectations are high for Kurashiki Christmas Market 2024.
There will also be a hashtag campaign
The official Instagram of Kurashiki Christmas Market 2024 is conducting a hashtag campaign.
Details on how to participate are as follows.
- Follow the Kurashiki Christmas Market 2024 account @kurashiki_xmas
- Post photos of the event on Instagram with the hashtag “#倉敷クリスマスマーケット2024”
- Win discount coupons or products usable at participating stores through a lottery
The campaign period is from December 13 (Friday) to 25 (Wednesday), 2023. Be sure to take many photos and post them.
Venue decorations unique to Christmas
In the courtyard square, a 5-meter tall Christmas tree decorated by Okayama-born decorator Nose Seiko is currently on display.
The Christmas tree adorned with red ornaments is very cute and attracts many people who enjoy taking photos every day.
On the day of the event, candle illuminations will also be set up throughout the venue. In 2023, the candle illuminations created a very fantastical atmosphere at the venue, and in 2024, even more enhanced candle illuminations are expected.
The red brick Kurashiki Ivy Square and the Christmas market both have European origins, so I am looking forward to spending two days in a venue filled with exotic charm.
Interview with the person in charge of Kurashiki Christmas Market 2024
I spoke with Kanae Nagahara from the Kurashiki Christmas Market Executive Committee about the background and highlights of Kurashiki Christmas Market 2024.
The Christmas market will be held again this year at Kurashiki Ivy Square, following last year.
Nagahara (no honorifics)
Many people who participated in last year's (2023) Christmas market expressed their desire for it to be held again, leading to the decision to hold the Christmas market at Kurashiki Ivy Square this year as well.
Last year's Christmas market was the first, and this year marks the second. Until now, there have not been any large events related to Christmas in the Bikan Historical Area, so last year's Christmas market attracted a large number of visitors and was a great success.
We hope to continue this as an event that takes root in winter Kurashiki.
The number of vendors has increased compared to last year's Christmas market.
Nagahara
That's right.
Not only the stores that participated last year, but also some new stores have expressed their desire to participate after seeing last year's event.
Last year, there were long lines at every store, and some products sold out before the last order was taken. This time, we have increased the number of food vendors, so I hope everyone can enjoy delicious food to their heart's content.
Additionally, last year the dining space was limited, so some people could not enjoy their meals comfortably. Taking that feedback into account, this year we will open up the West Gate area and the Aimi Red Brick Hall as dining spaces. With the increased number of vendors, there will also be hearty options like meat and ramen, so I hope everyone will come with an appetite.
We will also have more workshops than last year, so I believe children will enjoy them as well. We look forward to families participating.
What kind of people do you want to come?
Nagahara
Since there will be plenty of workshops and food options, we welcome families, couples wanting to enjoy the Christmas mood, friends, and even individuals who want to enjoy food and miscellaneous goods.
There are not many large Christmas markets in the Chugoku and Shikoku regions, so I would be happy if people from outside the prefecture could visit Kurashiki through this event.
Through the Christmas market, we want to further enhance winter in Kurashiki.
Please tell us your recommended way to enjoy the event.
Nagahara
I hope everyone will walk around all the spots in the venue.
Enjoy delicious food, participate in workshops, eat more delicious food, and buy souvenirs. The venue will be decorated with Christmas-themed decorations, including candles, so I hope you will enjoy that scenery as well.
On the day of the event, we will also conduct a hashtag campaign on Instagram. Those who post photos of the event on Instagram with the hashtag “#倉敷クリスマスマーケット2024” will have a chance to win discount coupons or products usable at participating stores, so please enjoy the venue while capturing that special shot.
Finally, please give a message to the readers.
Nagahara
This year's Christmas market will be larger in scale and number of vendors than last year, so please come and enjoy the Christmas spirit.
How about wrapping up 2024 at the Christmas market?
Conclusion
I also participated in the Kurashiki Christmas Market 2023 held last year.
I remember it being a Christmas filled with excitement as wonderful stores from Okayama Prefecture presented food and goods with a Christmas market flair. As one of the participants who sincerely wished for it to continue in the following years, I was thrilled when I learned about this year's event through the Instagram account of the Kurashiki Christmas Market that I followed last year.
A large Christmas tree has already been set up in the courtyard square of Kurashiki Ivy Square, and I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Christmas market.
How about visiting the Kurashiki Christmas Market 2024, where exhibitors with a commitment to Kurashiki and Okayama gather for an early Christmas?
Articles about Kurashiki Christmas Market
Data for Kurashiki Christmas Market 2024
| Name | Kurashiki Christmas Market 2024 |
|---|---|
| Date | December 13 (Friday) and 14 (Saturday), 2024 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM (Last order at 8:30 PM) |
| Location | 7-2 Honmachi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Participation Fee (Tax Included) | Free admission |
| Website | Kurashiki Christmas Market 2024 |
