December is known as one of the festive months and the beginning of winter in Japan. Celebrating the winter and holiday season all over the world a season of love and giving. It is one of the best times to visit Japan offering various things to do, events, and festivals related to Christmas and year-end preparation.

If you are planning to visit Osaka in December, in this article I will share some best things to do and events in Osaka in December.

December in Osaka

December is the beginning of the winter season in Japan and Osaka in December offers cheerful and joyful experiences with holiday events and traditional festivals. With a cool and pleasant weather in the daytime and gets colder in the nighttime with an average temperature around 10-13°C (Highs) and 3-6°C (Lows).

The highlight event during December is the illumination and light-up event held in various famous places in Osaka surrounded with millions of illumination and LED light displays and colorful decorations making it a popular spot for taking a photo.

Seasonal and traditional festivals such as Christmas markets, fun attractions, Year-End preparation, and lively activities related to the winter and holiday season. In addition, a variety of seasonal and winter foods offered in many restaurants, hotels, and well-known establishments can also be enjoyed by the whole family and friends. Here, are some of the best things to do in Osaka in December.

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1. Enjoy Winter Illumination

During the holiday season, one of the most highlighted events is the colorful illumination. Various illumination events take place across Osaka, and one of the anticipated illumination events is the Festival of Light in Osaka, which is annually held to celebrate the winter and holiday season.

Visitors can enjoy walking around the streets, which have plenty of trees along the road covered with colorful lights and illumination displays.

For more information about Illumination event, check the following article!

▶︎Best Winter Illumination Spots in Osaka 2024-2025

▶︎Best Winter Illuminations in Western Japan 2024–2025

2. Universal Studio Japan No Limit Christmas

The Universal Studio Japan No Limit Christmas is an annual and popular event for Christmas celebrations. Offer a magical and memorable experience for families and friends. Aside from holiday-themed attractions various illumination and themed display related to the holiday season. Visitors can enjoy holiday-limited merchandise, food, and other activities.

For more information about this event, check the following article!

▶︎Universal Studios Japan Christmas 2024–2025

3. Christmas Market

The Christmas Market is a fun part of celebrating the holiday season, in December the Christmas and night markets begin in Osaka. Various Christmas Market events are annually held in popular places in Osaka, such as the Umeda Sky Building Christmas Market commonly known as the German Christmas Market, and the Osaka Christmas Market in the Tennoji Park, Ten-shiba area.

In addition to the plenty of food stalls, gift shops, and other activities related to the holiday season, visitors can enjoy the lightning and cozy atmosphere making you feel the breeze of the holiday season.

For more information about the Christmas Market in Osaka, check out the following article!

▶︎Best Christmas Markets in Osaka and Kobe

4. Osaka Castle Illuminage

Enjoy the annual winter illumination at Osaka Castle Park, various themed illumination displays, decorations, and Japanese historical and cultural lighting that gives a memorable winter and holiday season experience in Osaka. Many perfect photo spots for souvenirs and other activities to enjoy related to the holiday season.

For more information about the illumination in Osaka, check the following article!

▶︎Best Winter Illumination Spots in Osaka 2024-2025

5. New Year’s Eve Events

December is the last month of the year at this time in addition to various winter and holiday season events many establishments such as hotels, restaurants, and amusement parks that hold an events in celebration and to welcome the New Year from the countdown, parties, romantic dinners, and many more.

Osaka offers a plenty and exciting event for New Year’s Eve, many well-known tourist destinations hold an events for New Year such as the Universal Studio Japan Countdown party, Osaka Castle Park Countdown, Night Cruise, Street party in the Dotonbori area and some shrines and temple hold a traditional celebration in welcoming the New Year.

For more information about USJ countdown party, check the following article!

▶︎Universal Studios Japan Countdown Party 2025

6. Explore Dotonbori

Dotonbori is one of the lively places and well-known tourist destinations in Osaka, in December Dotonbori became more colorful and bright because of the surrounding illumination display giving more exciting and memorable experiences of the holiday and winter season. Plenty of lively activities to enjoy such as street performances, parties, walking around, the winter foods, and year-end sale.

For more information about Dotonbori, check the following article!

▶︎Dotonbori: Things to Do

7. Christmas at Umeda Sky Building

Umeda Sky Building in Osaka is one of the popular places in Osaka and offers plenty of things to do, in December annual event is held in addition to the floating garden observatory and panoramic views from the top it offers special illumination and seasonal events in the celebration of the holiday season.

The visitors can enjoy the huge Christmas tree, decorations, seasonal foods, Christmas Market, and activities related to the holiday season.

For more information about things to do in Umeda, check the following article!

▶︎10 Best Things to Do in Umeda

8. Visit Kaiyukan Aquarium

Kaiyukan Aquarium in Osaka is one of the well-known tourist destinations in Osaka also known as one of the biggest aquariums in Japan. In December offers a special seasonal illumination display and holiday-themed decorations. Perfect place to enjoy with families and friends aside from the diverse marine life and plenty of facilities and activities to enjoy in the area.

The Nanima zone is the newest attraction in the Kaiyukan Aquarium features a variety of marine species in the water shallow.

For more information about Kaiyukan Aquarium, check the following article!

▶︎Kaiyukan Aquarium

9. Expo Park Christmas Light-Up

The Expo ’70 Commemorative Park in Osaka offers an annual Christmas illumination in December. During this season the park became more attractive and vibrant with millions of colorful LED lights and holiday-themed illumination displays. Witness the magical light show of the iconic Tower of the Sun.

In addition to the illuminations various activities, winter foods, and events related to the holiday season are held.

For more information about the Osaka Expo Park, check the following article!

▶︎Osaka Expo Park: One of Osaka’s Most Attractive Parks

10. Experience Winter Foods

December in Osaka gives special treats when it comes to food, offering delightful seasonal foods served in hotels, restaurants, and streets like Dotonbori plenty of food stalls selling hot and warm beverages. A visit to Osaka in winter is not complete without experiencing popular food in winter such as nabe (hot pot) dishes commonly served in restaurants a perfect food for cold weather.

For more information about the Japanese Winter Food, check the following article!

▶︎Best Japanese Food to Try in Winter

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