- Iceland Christmas Weekend: Nov 28–29
- Swedish Lucia choir: Dec 13
- Shop deals daily throughout the event
Metsä Village, the lakeside Nordic lifestyle complex in Hanno, Saitama, is holding its Christmas event, Metsä’s Nordic Christmas 2026 (メッツァの北欧クリスマス2026), from Saturday, October 31 to Friday, December 25, 2026. Entry is free. On weekends you can try Icelandic, Swedish and Finnish Christmas traditions, and the shops run Christmas deals every day of the event.
The neighboring Moominvalley Park starts its own Christmas event, Christmas in Moominvalley 2026 (ムーミン谷のクリスマス2026), on the same day, October 31. This guide is based on the organizer’s press release of October 8, 2026.
Dates, venue and admission
| Event | Metsä’s Nordic Christmas 2026 |
|---|---|
| Dates | Sat, Oct 31 – Fri, Dec 25, 2026 |
| Venue | Metsä Village (Hanno, Saitama) |
| Admission | Free |
| Organizer | Moomin Monogatari Co., Ltd. |
| Next door | Christmas in Moominvalley 2026 at Moominvalley Park, also from Oct 31 |
Event details are on the official event page, and opening hours and access are on the Metsä official site.
Iceland Christmas Weekend (Nov 28–29)
The Iceland Christmas Weekend 2026 marks Iceland’s Independence Day on December 1, the anniversary of its sovereignty. It is held with the cooperation of the Embassy of Iceland.
| Dates | Sat, Nov 28 and Sun, Nov 29, 2026, 10:00–17:00 |
|---|---|
| Where | Metsä Aukio and the Craft Bibliotek (クラフトビブリオテック) |
| Cooperation | Embassy of Iceland |
- Day 1 (Nov 28): the bilingual improv comedy group Pirates of Tokyo Bay performs a show based on Iceland’s 13 Santa Clauses, plus a picture book reading. A commemorative speech by Svanhildur Steinarsdóttir, Consul of the Embassy of Iceland, is planned before the show.
- Both days: a knitting workshop, inspired by the Icelandic custom of knitting new clothes as Christmas gifts. You make an ornament in the colors of the Icelandic flag and can handle Icelandic lopi wool.
- Until Dec 25: a pop art exhibition by the Icelandic artists SKRIPO (Gudjon Vidarsson and Kari Thor Arnarsson), including a special piece linking Japan and Iceland. Their show features Icelandic Christmas folklore figures such as the 13 Yule Lads, Grýla and the Christmas Cat.
More on the Iceland Christmas Weekend page.
Weekend programs: Lucia choir, Viking chess, dance, crafts
A quick calendar of the other weekend programs. Details for each follow below.
| Date (2026) | Program | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 31, Nov 1 | Viking chess (10:00–16:00), winter crafts | Nordic Square |
| Nov 7, 14, 21, 28, Dec 5, 12, 19 (Sat) | Viking chess (16:30–17:30) | Craft Bibliotek |
| Nov 21, Dec 20 | Finnish dance show and workshop | Metsä Aukio |
| Nov 21, 22 | Winter crafts | Nordic Square |
| Dec 13 | Lucia choir | In front of the Market Hall |
Swedish Lucia choir (Dec 13)
Lucia is one of Sweden’s most important traditions, alongside Midsummer. Children dressed in white gowns, with stars and candles, sing Lucia and Christmas songs, and the girl playing Lucia wears a crown of light. At Metsä, children from The Swedish School in Tokyo sing Swedish Christmas songs and classic Lucia songs.
- When: Sun, Dec 13, 2026, 14:30–14:50 and 16:30–16:50
- Where: in front of the Market Hall (inside the Market Hall if it rains)
Viking chess (Hnefatafl)
Hnefatafl is a Nordic board game born about 1,500 years ago and played by the Vikings. The set at Metsä is handmade by staff: the pieces come from wood thinned in Metsä Village, and the board from offcuts donated by a local builder, Yoshizawa Kensetsu Kogyo. The set is not for sale.
- Oct 31, Nov 1: 10:00–16:00 at Nordic Square
- Nov 7, 14, 21, 28 and Dec 5, 12, 19 (all Saturdays): 16:30–17:30 at the Craft Bibliotek
- Up to 10 people per session
Finnish dance show and workshop
The group Usva dances traditional Finnish dances to sauna songs and Christmas songs. There are also tunes anyone can join, such as the Jenkka. Usva is led by Salla Kajiwara from Turku, Finland.
- When: Sat, Nov 21 and Sun, Dec 20, 2026, 14:00–14:30 and 16:00–16:30
- Where: Metsä Aukio
- Cancelled if it rains
Winter craft workshops
- When: Oct 31, Nov 1, 21 and 22, 2026, 10:00–16:00
- Where: Nordic Square (Craft Bibliotek if it rains)
- Every date: flying tree workshop (Fragrance Base.)
- Oct 31, Nov 1: himmeli workshop (kaori emori)
- Nov 21, 22: birch craft workshop (oikukas kissa)
Daily Christmas sale
Every day of the event, Metsä Village shops discount Nordic imported goods, food and Moomin items. A good time to shop for Christmas presents.
| Shop | Item | Deal (tax incl.) |
|---|---|---|
| LAAVU | Purchases of 10,000 yen or more | 5% off |
| Moominvalley Park Shop | Towel handkerchiefs | 770 yen each → 600 yen |
| Moominvalley Park Shop | ARABIA ABC mug | 3,520 yen → 2,700 yen |
| Hokuo Zakka (北欧雑貨) | Nordic design goods | Up to 70% off |
| LUNE D’EAU | Nordic cut cloth, limited sale | From 308 yen per 35 cm piece |
Planning to pay by card for holiday shopping? If you do not have a Japanese card yet, see which credit card foreigners in Japan should get first.
Seasonal food and drinks
Limited-time menus are on sale every day of the event.
| Shop | Item | Price (tax incl.) |
|---|---|---|
| ROBERT’S COFFEE | Milky white chocolate latte | 790 yen |
| ROBERT’S COFFEE | Gingerbread latte | 680 yen |
| Musashi Rikyu (武蔵利休) | Matcha berry chocolat | 680 yen |
| Good Harvest! | Roasted sweet potato shake | 700 yen |
| Good Harvest! | Oshiruko (sweet red bean) milk latte | 600 yen |
| sateenkaari | Chicken curry (limited quantity) | 1,380 yen |
Planning your visit
- Pick your weekend. The busiest program days are Nov 28–29 (Iceland weekend) and Dec 13 (Lucia choir). Oct 31 and Nov 1 combine Viking chess and craft workshops.
- Watch the weather. The Finnish dance is cancelled in rain. The Lucia choir moves into the Market Hall, and the craft workshops move to the Craft Bibliotek.
- Viking chess has a cap. Each session takes up to 10 people, so arrive with some time to spare.
- Moominvalley Park is a separate event. Christmas in Moominvalley 2026 starts the same day next door. Check the official site for its tickets, as well as hours and access.
- Follow updates. Metsä Village posts news on X and Instagram.
Looking for more autumn outings? Check the Asoview campaign with up to 3,000 yen off leisure spots, the Musashino Art University Festival 2026, or our Ghibli Park exhibition guide.
FAQ
- Q. Is admission to Metsä’s Nordic Christmas free?
- Yes. Entry to the Nordic Christmas at Metsä Village is free. Shopping, food and drinks are paid.
- Q. When is the Iceland Christmas Weekend?
- Saturday, November 28 and Sunday, November 29, 2026, 10:00–17:00, at Metsä Aukio and the Craft Bibliotek, with the cooperation of the Embassy of Iceland.
- Q. What time is the Lucia choir?
- Sunday, December 13, 2026, at 14:30–14:50 and 16:30–16:50 in front of the Market Hall (inside the Market Hall if it rains).
- Q. Does the Christmas sale run every day?
- Yes. The shop deals run daily throughout the event, from October 31 to December 25, 2026.
- Q. What happens to outdoor programs if it rains?
- The Finnish dance is cancelled in rain. The Lucia choir moves inside the Market Hall, and the winter craft workshops move to the Craft Bibliotek.
Source: Moomin Monogatari Co., Ltd. press release (October 8, 2026). Operator: Moomin Monogatari. Schedules may change, so check the official pages before you go.