Cocoon City (コクーンシティ), the commercial area in front of JR Saitama-Shintoshin Station, holds "Cocoon City Christmas (コクーンシティ クリスマス)" from Saturday, November 7 to Friday, December 25, 2026. Along with champagne-gold illumination, a Christmas market with authentic huts runs for 49 days, and visitors can enjoy Christmas food, drinks, and gift shopping at their own pace. On the opening day, Miyase Ryubi appears as a special guest at an illumination lighting event that kicks off the season. The program also includes a hands-on Shimajiro event that parents and children can enjoy together.
Event Overview
Cocoon City Christmas (コクーンシティ クリスマス)
Dates: Saturday, November 7 to Friday, December 25, 2026
Main events:
- Cocoon City Illumination 2026 (コクーンシティイルミネーション２０２６): Saturday, November 7, 2026 to Sunday, February 14, 2027
- Illumination lighting event
- COCOON CITY Christmas Market 2026
- Together with Shimajiro! Happy Christmas! in Cocoon City (しまじろうといっしょに！ ハッピークリスマス！ in コクーンシティ)
- Christmas music festival (クリスマス音楽祭)
Official website: https://www.cocooncity.jp/christmas2026/
Key Visual and Concept
This year's key visual shows a special Christmas moment arriving in everyday life at Cocoon City, which is decked out in illumination. The catchphrase is "きらめく街、こころ灯る。" ("A sparkling town, a glowing heart"). The visual uses the model SORA to express the anticipation, excitement, and warm feelings that arise naturally in each person amid the town's sparkle and the time spent there. It carries the world of the Christmas concept "A Gift of Emotion," in the hope that time spent at Cocoon City becomes a lasting gift in itself.
COCOON CITY Christmas Market 2026
The "COCOON CITY Christmas Market 2026" runs from Saturday, November 7 to Friday, December 25, 2026. Under the champagne-gold illumination, large arches and authentic huts line the venue to create a space for enjoying Christmas. The market offers Christmas food and drinks, a hands-on booth where visitors choose their favorite toppings and make their own cocoa, Christmas goods, photo spots, and more. Visitors can stroll the venue while looking at the illumination, taste the food that catches their eye, and look for gifts.
Dates and hours: Saturday, November 7 to Friday, December 25, daily 12:00 PM–10:00 PM (last order 9:30 PM)
- On November 7 (Sat) only, the market is scheduled to close temporarily from 4:30 PM to 6:45 PM (last order before the temporary closure is 4:00 PM).
Venue: Outdoor areas including Cocoon 2 Cocoon Hiroba (コクーン２ コクーンひろば), Keyaki Walk (けやきウォーク), and Omotenashi Plaza (おもてなしプラザ)
Market website: https://christmasmarket.jp/202611-cocooncity/
Food and Drink Highlights (a selection)
- Beef stew
- Clam chowder
- German-style pretzels
- クロッツェル (Kurottseru)
- Heart churros
- Honey lemon
- Mulled wine (グリューワイン)
- Assorted sausage dishes
- Hot chocolate with a dog marshmallow, and more
- The photos show examples of menu items and products planned for sale. The actual serving containers, serving methods, and items sold may differ.
- Depending on purchasing and stock, items may change or sell out.
- The venue photos are images. The actual specifications and decorations may differ.
Cocoon City Illumination 2026 (コクーンシティイルミネーション２０２６)
This year's illumination theme is "MILLION WISHES – Wishes gather as stars." Warm feelings for someone, hopes for the days ahead, and small wishes that quietly rise in the heart: as if reflecting each person's "Wish," individual lights gather into a large glow that wraps Cocoon City warmly.
Lighting period: Saturday, November 7, 2026 to Sunday, February 14, 2027
Lighting hours: 5:00 PM–11:00 PM (on opening day, November 7, the lights come on around 6:00 PM because of the lighting event)
Venue: Various places in Cocoon City and the Saitama-Shintoshin East Exit pedestrian deck (さいたま新都心東口歩行者デッキ)
Illumination website: https://www.cocooncity.jp/illumination2026/
Illumination Lighting Event
The lighting event for the Cocoon City winter illumination returns this year. Miyase Ryubi, who is active in dramas and films and is also drawing attention as an artist, appears as the special guest. Visitors can share the special moment when the sparkling lights come on together with Miyase.
Date and time: Saturday, November 7, from 5:50 PM (lighting around 6:00 PM)
Venue: Cocoon 2 Cocoon Hiroba (コクーン２ コクーンひろば)
- The event is canceled in severe weather.
- A separate numbered ticket is required to enter the viewing area. Check the Cocoon City website for details.
Together with Shimajiro! Happy Christmas! in Cocoon City
Shimajiro and his friends come to Cocoon City this winter. The Christmas event for parents and children includes a stamp rally, workshop, photo session, and character show.
Dates: Saturday, November 28 to Friday, December 25
Venue: Various places in Cocoon City
- Some programs run on different dates.
- Check the Cocoon City website for details on each program.
Shimajiro Original Photo Spot
Location: Cocoon 2 3F, in front of ABC-MART
Shimajiro Stamp Rally
Location: 4 places inside the building (reception: Cocoon 2 2F Information)
Shimajiro Puppet Display
Location: Cocoon 1 2F, just inside the station-side entrance
Show With Shimajiro and Friends
Dates: Saturday, December 5 and Sunday, December 6
Location: Cocoon 2 1F Cocoon Hiroba (コクーンひろば)
Shimajiro Photo Session
Dates: Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13
Location: Cocoon 2 3F, in front of ABC-MART
Shimajiro Workshop
Dates: Saturday, December 19 and Sunday, December 20
Location: Cocoon 2 3F Nigiwai Spot (にぎわいスポット), in front of UNIQLO
Christmas Music Festival (クリスマス音楽祭)
Schools in Saitama City take part in a Christmas music festival on the outdoor stage, offering performances special to the Christmas season.
Dates and hours: Saturday, November 14 and Saturday, November 28, 11:00 AM–2:30 PM each day
Venue: Cocoon 2 Cocoon Hiroba (コクーン２ コクーンひろば)
- Free to watch
- Canceled in severe weather
- Check the Cocoon City website for the performance times of each group.
More Events and Campaigns
Many more events and campaigns are planned. For details, see the Cocoon City Christmas special page: https://www.cocooncity.jp/christmas2026/
All images are illustrations. Events may be canceled or changed.
