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The Christmas market at Tokyo Skytree Town opens on Thursday, November 5, 2026 and runs for 51 days, until Friday, December 25. It sits on the 4th floor of Tokyo Solamachi, the shopping complex at the foot of the tower, and admission is free. You only pay for what you eat, drink or take home.
Its official name is Picture Book Christmas Market in Tokyo Skytree Town 2026 (絵本の中のクリスマスマーケット in 東京スカイツリータウン 2026), and it is part of the wider Tokyo Skytree Town Dream Christmas 2026 (東京スカイツリータウン ドリームクリスマス2026). This is the 11th year of the market here. The organizer says it is the earliest of the Christmas markets it runs this winter, so it is one of the first places to feel the season start.
Christmas markets are said to have begun in Germany in 1393. They are held during Advent, the four weeks before Christmas, as a place to shop for the holidays, and nearly every German town has one.
- Free entry, open daily 11:00–22:00 (last order 21:00)
- Opening night: a giant stollen about 4 meters long is cut by Santa from around 19:00
- New this year: dessert pizza, butter chicken curry rice, a mushroom cheeseburger and more
- Boot-shaped mugs in 5 new Grimm fairy tale designs, sold only at this organizer’s markets
- Payment: cash or PayPay
- Weekends, holidays and the last day get very busy
Dates, hours and venue
| Event | Picture Book Christmas Market in Tokyo Skytree Town 2026 |
|---|---|
| Part of | Tokyo Skytree Town Dream Christmas 2026 |
| Dates | Thu, Nov 5 – Fri, Dec 25, 2026 (51 days) |
| Hours | 11:00–22:00 (last order 21:00) |
| Venue | Tokyo Solamachi 4F, Sky Arena (東京ソラマチ4階 スカイアリーナ) |
| Address | 1-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida-ku, Tokyo |
| Admission | Free |
| Stalls | 15 (European-style wooden huts) |
| Payment | Cash, PayPay |
| Organizer | World Liquor Importers Co., Ltd. (ワールドリカーインポーターズ株式会社) |
The theme carries over from last year: a Christmas market that feels like stepping into the pages of a picture book. Menu prices were not included in the announcement, so check them at the huts on the day. Details come from the organizer’s press release and company website.
Opening night: the giant stollen ceremony
If you can only go once, opening night is the one to aim for. Right after the illumination lighting, Santa Claus cuts a stollen about 4 meters long with a special giant knife. The ritual comes from a tradition in Dresden, Germany, and it returns after a popular run last year. The slices are sold on the spot, and you can watch and take photos.
| Date | Thu, Nov 5, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Time | From around 19:00, after the illumination lighting ceremony (17:30–18:00) |
| Place | Tokyo Skytree Town 4F, Sky Arena |
| What happens | Santa cuts the giant stollen / photo time / sales and tasting |
Press and influencers who want to cover the ceremony can apply by Wednesday, November 4 through the organizer’s media request form. Regular visitors do not need to apply.
What to eat and drink
The 15 wooden huts serve mulled wine (Glühwein), hot drinks, freshly made sweets, sausages, chicken and other Christmas dishes. Many items are decorated with snowmen, Santa or reindeer, so the food is half the photo opportunity. Here is what is new this year.
| New item | What it is |
|---|---|
| Strawberry and Custard Dessert Pizza (いちごとカスタードのデザートピザ) | Crisp pizza crust with smooth custard and sweet-tart strawberries, crushed Oreo for a slightly bitter touch, and Santa and reindeer marshmallows |
| Noel Feast Rice, Spice (ノエルのごちそうライス スパイス) | North Indian style butter chicken curry sauce poured into the center of a ring of butter rice, with star-shaped carrots |
| Mushroom Cheeseburger with fries (マッシュルームチーズバーガー ポテトセット) | Juicy patty with fragrant mushrooms and melted cheese, a hearty, filling choice |
| Stretchy Cheese Curry Bread from ジラッファ (Giraffa) of Kamakura | The popular Kamakura shop’s signature curry bread, crisp outside with spiced curry and cheese that pulls apart |
| Strawberry Baumkuchen (ストロベリーバウムクーヘン) | Baumkuchen baked in the hut, cut into bite-size pieces and sandwiched with strawberries and Santa or reindeer marshmallows |
| Noel Rouge Baum (ノエル・ルージュバウム) | Part of the same new baumkuchen line-up |
The returning favorites are worth a look too, especially if you came for the classic German market feel.
| Classic item | What it is |
|---|---|
| Santa Cut Stollen (ソラマチ名物 サンタの切り分けシュトレン) | Traditional Christmas cake with orange and lemon peel, rum-soaked raisins and sliced almonds, coated in powdered sugar. Good with coffee or tea |
| Smoked bone-in chicken leg (骨付きもも肉のクリスマススモークチキン) | Bone-in leg smoked and roasted until juicy |
| Swirl sausage (目が回る!? ぐるぐるソーセージ) | Soft weisswurst seasoned with parsley, lemon peel and spices, coiled into a spiral 67 cm across |
| German Classic Burger (ジャーマンクラシックバーガー) | Served alongside the new mushroom burger |
| Rich Melty Cheeseburger (濃厚とろ～りチーズバーガー) | Served alongside the new mushroom burger |
Hot drinks come in a Christmas boot mug. The marshmallow character on top changes by drink:
- Snowman Royal Milk Tea (雪だるまのロイヤルミルクティー)
- Gingerbread Man Café Latte (ジンジャーマンのカフェラテ)
- Santa Claus Hot Chocolate (サンタクロースのホットチョコレート)
- Hot Cocoa (ホットココア)
- Royal Milk Tea (ロイヤルミルクティー)
Boot mugs and Christmas goods
The original boot-shaped mug is the souvenir most people leave with. You can only buy it at the Christmas markets run by World Liquor Importers. This year it comes in 5 new designs inspired by Grimm fairy tales, one per color, so you can choose from 5 colors. Each design hints at a different story.
The goods section has also roughly doubled, from about 20 items last year to about 40, which makes it a handy stop if you are hunting for small Christmas gifts.
The Christmas Arcade photo spot
In the middle of the venue is the Christmas Arcade, a walkway where lights and snow effects overlap. It is the most popular photo spot at the market, and it looks best after dark, so an evening visit pairs well with a mug of something warm.
How to pay: cash or PayPay
The announced payment methods are cash and PayPay. Credit cards are not on the list, so do not count on tapping a card at the huts. With 15 stalls and plenty of small purchases, PayPay saves you from fumbling with coins in the cold.
If you have not set up PayPay yet, our PayPay referral code guide walks through sign-up and the bonus points for new users. Still sorting out payments in Japan? See which bank account to open first as a foreigner and which credit card to get first, since both can be linked to PayPay.
Tips before you go
- Crowds: weekends, national holidays and the final day are expected to be very busy. Some items may sell out, and you may wait 30 minutes or more for your order. A weekday visit will likely be easier.
- Weather: the market runs rain or shine. It may close in a natural disaster, depending on the facility.
- Staying warm: the seating area has several electric heaters and a windbreak area.
- Pets: not allowed, except assistance dogs such as guide dogs.
- Accessibility: the venue is barrier-free.
- Last order: 21:00, an hour before closing.
FAQ
- Is the Christmas market at Tokyo Skytree Town free to enter?
- Yes. Admission is free, and you only pay for the food, drinks and goods you buy.
- When is the giant stollen cutting ceremony?
- On opening day, Thursday, November 5, 2026, from around 19:00, right after the illumination lighting ceremony (17:30–18:00). The start time may move depending on how the evening goes.
- Can I pay by credit card?
- The announced payment methods are cash and PayPay only. Credit cards are not listed, so bring cash or set up PayPay before you go.
- Does it open on rainy days?
- Yes, it runs rain or shine. It may close in a natural disaster, depending on the facility. Seating has several electric heaters and a windbreak area.
- Can I bring my dog?
- No. Pets are not allowed, except assistance dogs such as guide dogs.
- How much is the food?
- Menu prices were not included in the announcement. Check them at each hut on the day.
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