Add to my calendarSave to Google, Apple or Outlook Calendar
For drone shows followed by fireworks, plan around December 19 or 25. Those are the two special nights announced for Kobe Meriken Christmas (神戸メリケンクリスマス~未来への灯と港の光~). The free event runs at Meriken Park from December 19–25, 2026, from 4–9 p.m., with drone shows as its main attraction, plus stage activities and a food area.
The event’s opening hours are confirmed, but the drone show times are not included in the announcement. Check the schedule before deciding when to arrive.
Check the official Kobe Meriken Christmas schedule
Dates, hours and admission
The event brings Christmas entertainment to Kobe’s waterfront for seven days. Admission is free; food prices and individual menus have not been provided in the announcement.
| Event | Kobe Meriken Christmas |
|---|---|
| Dates | Saturday, December 19–Friday, December 25, 2026 |
| Hours | 4–9 p.m. |
| Venue | Meriken Park, Kobe |
| Admission | Free |
| Program | Drone shows, fireworks on designated nights, stage activities and a food area |
| Organizer | Kobe Minato no Yoru Executive Committee |
| Drone show production | REDCLIFF Inc. |
Which nights have fireworks?
Fireworks are planned for the opening night, December 19, and Christmas Day, December 25. On both dates, they are scheduled to follow the drone show in collaboration with Kobe Port Weekend Fireworks (神戸港ウィークエンド花火).
The announcement does not list fireworks for December 20–24. If seeing both displays is the reason for your visit, choose one of the two designated dates and confirm the latest program before travelling.
The separate Kobe Port Weekend Fireworks website provides information about the waterfront fireworks program. For another fireworks outing covered on this site, see our Setagaya Tamagawa Fireworks article; it concerns a separate event and date.
What to check before leaving
- Show times: check the official event website for the drone schedule.
- Same-day status: check the event’s official X account or official Instagram account before setting off.
- Viewing arrangements: confirm access routes, viewing areas and whether any advance arrangements are required. These details are not specified in the announcement.
- Food and stage program: look for the vendor list, menus, prices and performer schedule once available.
If you expect to use your phone for photos and schedule updates, our d VALUE PASS and ChargeSPOT guide explains a power-bank rental option. Rental availability at this venue has not been confirmed.
For a separate cultural outing in the region, browse our Ghibli Park exhibition guide covering Osaka, Yokosuka and Kyoto. Check its dates separately before combining plans.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Kobe Meriken Christmas free?
- Admission is free. The announcement does not provide food prices or menus.
- When are the fireworks?
- Fireworks are planned for December 19 and 25, 2026, after the drone show on each date.
- What time does the drone show start?
- The announcement does not specify the drone show times. Check the official event website and social accounts. The overall event runs from 4–9 p.m.
- Can the drone show be cancelled?
- Yes. Drone shows may be cancelled because of the weather. Same-day performance updates will be posted on the event’s official X and Instagram accounts.
Information is based on the organizer’s announcement published by Avex Entertainment Inc. on October 15, 2026. Check the official event channels for subsequent schedule updates.
Related Articles
Plan your next day out
See what else is on that day, that month and in the same area on our event calendar.
Add to my calendarSave to Google, Apple or Outlook Calendar
Get new articles by email
We will email you when a new deals article goes up. You can choose the categories, too.