Yoyogi Park Events Square

Established in 2013 to celebrate 400 years of relations between Spain and Japan, this vibrant and scrumptious food fest takes place at Yoyogi Park Events Square. Having attracted approximately 80,000 visitors last year, this popular fiesta is set once again to showcase last year’s expanded program of live performances, now joined by a brand-new all-day flamenco program featuring passionate performances from morning until night. While details of this year’s food lineup have yet to be announced, last year’s event featured 35 food and drink stalls, complemented by about 20 booths selling various Iberian goods and crafts.  This is the time to sample a wide variety of Spanish delicacies, from the world-famous paella to tapas and more. Spanish beer is, of course, a must while watching elegant flamenco.

Suit up in your cheeriest Santa outfit for a fun holiday run (or walk) at Tokyo’s Santa Run, an annual charity event popular worldwide during this year-end season. The ticket includes your Santa get-up, while a portion of the proceeds goes to hospitalised children in Japan and Maasai communities in Kenya. The run from 12.45pm takes you on a 2.5km loop from Yoyogi Park Event Square through Koen Dori and Meiji Dori to Jingumae Intersection before ending back at the park. After the run, you can reward yourself with food, drinks and activities at Yoyogi Park's Fiesta de España, which is happening at the same time. Keep an eye out for Rilakkuma, as he'll make an appearance at the event dressed up as Santa. Ready, get set and ho ho ho.  Event start times are subject to change. Check the event website for the latest details.

Dubbed Ao no Dokutsu, meaning blue cavern, this breathtaking illumination was a huge hit when it made its debut along the Meguro River back in 2014. The now annual event made a comeback in Shibuya in 2016, where it will again bathe the tree-lined walkway leading to Yoyogi Park in a fantastical blue glow this holiday season until Christmas Day. Stretched out for 900 metres along Koen-dori and Yoyogi Park Events Square, the fantastical display is made up of around 500,000 blue LEDs. The lights are also reflected off the ground to create an immersive experience. At the end of the tunnel, you’ll find a gigantic inflatable snowman illuminated with festive projection mapping this year, inspired by ‘Christmas and Shibuya’. The illuminations take place daily between 5pm and 10pm.