GRAND WISH CHRISTMAS 2026, the Christmas event at GRAND FRONT OSAKA (Ofukacho, Kita Ward, Osaka), runs from Wednesday, November 4 to Friday, December 25, 2026. Now in its 14th year, the event is built around the concept of a Christmas in which the "WISH" (wishes and hopes) of everyone who visits GRAND FRONT OSAKA come true.
This November, a new green hub called Umekita-no-mori opens in the Umekita area, turning the district into a place where a full-scale forest spreads through the city. In response, this year's Christmas at GRAND FRONT OSAKA takes "Evergreen Forest" as its theme. The main Christmas tree, the "Evergreen Forest Tree," creates an Evergreen Forest of light. Trees of different heights and looks stand around one large tree, and light that falls like snow is layered over them so that the whole space sparkles like a forest. The scent of flowers and the depth of wood also fills the surroundings, so visitors can feel the warmth of nature through smell as well as sight. The result is an immersive space that feels like stepping into a winter forest.
Event Details
- Period: November 4 (Wed) to December 25 (Fri), 2026 (excluding some content)
- Location: GRAND FRONT OSAKA North Building, South Building, Umekita Plaza, and other locations
- Note: Full details of the Christmas event are scheduled to be announced in late October.
UMEKITA WINTER
Together with GRAND GREEN OSAKA, GRAND FRONT OSAKA is carrying the shared message "UMEKITA WINTER" this year under the idea of "Bringing Umekita's winter together" (うめきたの冬を、ひとつに。), and is running a range of winter programs. Highlights include:
- Champagne Gold Illumination in UMEKITA: A winter tradition in Umekita, expanded again this year to about 510,000 champagne-gold lights, the most ever.
- Grand Santa Parade in UMEKITA: A participatory event that last year gathered about 650 Santas.
- Disney Gift of Story: A special project themed on Disney stories.
Main Christmas Tree "Evergreen Forest Tree"
The main tree is built around the concept of an "Evergreen Forest" of light. Trees of different heights and looks are arranged around one large tree to create the feeling of being inside a forest. Seen from a distance it looks like a single forest, and up close the character of each tree comes into view. Light showering down like snow, together with a scent that combines the brightness of flowers and the depth of wood, creates an Evergreen Forest of light to enjoy through sight, hearing, and smell. In the lighting show held every 15 minutes, the tree comes alive in vivid colors in time with music.
Point 1: An immersive space where light and scent form a single forest
Point 2: A lighting show where music and light color the tree
- Period: November 4 (Wed) to December 25 (Fri), 2026
- Lighting show hours: 4:00 PM to 12:00 AM on weekdays, 3:00 PM to 12:00 AM on weekends and public holidays. Shows start on the hour and at 15, 30, and 45 minutes past the hour, with the last show of each day at 11:45 PM.
- Location: Knowledge Plaza, 1F, North Building
- Design and direction: VELVETA DESIGN (ベルベッタ・デザイン)
- Music: 辰田翔
- Scent design: アットアロマ株式会社
Disney Gift of Story
GRAND FRONT OSAKA and GRAND GREEN OSAKA are holding a special project themed on Disney stories, "Disney Gift of Story." The lineup includes the familiar Mickey & Friends, Winnie the Pooh, which marks the 100th anniversary of its original debut, Toy Story, whose Toy Story 5 was a big hit when it was released this summer, and the timeless classic Frozen, well suited to the winter season. These Disney stories, loved across generations, will decorate Umekita's Christmas.
Across both districts, "photo spots" and special decorations will let visitors experience the worlds of the stories. A stamp rally, in which visitors collect stamps of Disney characters while touring the spots, will also be held, and a limited-time "POP UP STORE" with goods suited to Christmas gifts will open, among other programs. Details of each program are scheduled to be announced in late October.
- Period: November 4 (Wed) to December 25 (Fri), 2026
- Location: Various locations across GRAND FRONT OSAKA and GRAND GREEN OSAKA
- Note: Event content is subject to change.
Champagne Gold Illumination in UMEKITA
"Champagne Gold Illumination in UMEKITA" has been a familiar winter tradition since GRAND FRONT OSAKA opened in 2013. With the advance opening of GRAND GREEN OSAKA in 2024, the lit area was extended to both districts, and last year it expanded further with the opening of the GRAND GREEN OSAKA South Building and Umekita Green Place (うめきたグリーンプレイス).
This year the lit area extends into North Park in Umekita Park (うめきた公園ノースパーク) and Umekita Green Place (the Ginkgo Mall (銀杏モール) area). The display reaches a record 156 decorated trees and about 510,000 LED bulbs. Sparkling champagne-gold light spreads across the whole Umekita area, offering a city night view that is unique to the area.
The electricity used for the event comes from energy-saving LED bulbs and from electricity derived from effectively renewable energy that meets "RE100" (a collaborative initiative in which companies commit to using 100% renewable energy for the electricity they use in their business), excluding some areas. This makes the illumination an environmentally conscious one.
- Period: November 4 (Wed), 2026 to February 28 (Sun), 2027
- Lighting hours: 5:00 PM to 12:00 AM daily
- Location: Around Umekita Plaza, the zelkova tree-lined street, the ginkgo tree-lined street, and other areas
- Number of bulbs: About 510,000 (GRAND FRONT OSAKA and GRAND GREEN OSAKA combined)
- Color: Champagne gold
Grand Santa Parade in UMEKITA
On Tuesday, December 22, 2026, "Grand Santa Parade in UMEKITA" will take place. In this participatory event, people who work at or visit GRAND FRONT OSAKA and GRAND GREEN OSAKA dress up as Santa Claus and walk through the district. The event began in 2024 with the advance opening of GRAND GREEN OSAKA. Participants in Santa costumes parade through the Umekita area while handing out presents and taking part in clean-up activities. About 650 Santas gathered last year, filling the district with a Christmas mood.
Details and the start of participant recruitment are scheduled for early November and will be announced on the official websites of GRAND FRONT OSAKA and GRAND GREEN OSAKA as soon as they are decided.
