Written by Kylie Van Zyl
Researched by Jane Pipkin
Christmas really does come early in Nagasaki.
What happens?
As soon as Halloween ends, the whole faux-Dutch “village” (it’s more like a theme park) of Huis Ten Bosch reinvents itself by donning festive lights and ringing up Santa Claus.
Highlights 2025
The big news this year: the debut of Japan’s first Grand Chandelier Tree, a 15-meter-tall tower of crystal and light. It anchors the central Christmas Square. Every evening, the Melody of Christmas synchronizes a live choir with the lights of the giant tree.
Around the square, a Christmas Market brings together stalls selling ornaments, wreaths, mulled drinks, and Dutch-style snacks.
Santa makes appearances too — presumably grateful for Kyūshū’s mild winter.
Elsewhere, the park’s grand Shower of Lights fountain show continues through the season, complete with live music, jets of color, and occasional fireworks.
Fireworks
- Kyūshū’s Biggest Fireworks Festival: 15 November (Sat.)
- Christmas Holy Night Fireworks: November 22 (Sat.), November 23 (Sun.), December 24 (Wed.), December 25 (Thu.) from 8:45 to 8:57 p.m.
- Grand Finale Fireworks: 26–30 December (Fri.–Tue.)
- Countdown Fireworks: 31 December (Wed.)
- New Year’s Celebration Fireworks: 1–4 January (Thu.–Sun.)
Dinner cruise
On December 24–25, you can book the Christmas Holy Night Fireworks Dinner Cruise, which serves a course or buffet Christmas dinner with a view of the fireworks from the water.
