A wintertime tradition in Sendai, the City of Trees! Illumination [2024 SENDAI Pageant of Starlight

  • Miyagi
  • Sightseeing
SENDAI Pageant of Light

2024 SENDAI Pageant of Light When? Where?

Sendai is famous for the SENDAI Pageant of Starlight in winter.

The SENDAI Pageant of Starlight will be held for the 39th time in 2024. The Pageant of Starlight will be held for the 39th time in 2024. 115 zelkova trees along Jozenji-dori, the stage for the Pageant of Starlight, will be lit up with approximately 450,000 LED bulbs, illuminating the night sky brightly. This year's theme is "Lights for the Future (Tomorrow).

Period: Friday, December 6, 2024 - Wednesday, December 25, 20 days
Lighting hours: Monday - Thursday 19:00 - 22:00
Friday - Saturday 18:00 - 22:00
Sunday 18:00 - 21:00
*Friday, December 24 and Wednesday, December 25 18:00 - 22:00
Lighting area: Jozenji-dori, Sendai City Jozenji Dori (from Sendai Civic Hall to Kokubuncho Dori)
Into a sparkling dream world

Sendai, the "City of Trees" and the SENDAI Pageant of Starlight

Sendai City in Miyagi Prefecture is called "City of Trees" Sendai. It is said that the name "Jozenji Dori" originated in the Edo period (1603-1867), when Lord Date Masamune recommended his vassals to plant chestnut, plum, persimmon, and other fruit trees and bamboos within their mansions and cedar trees on the border with their neighbors in order to prepare for starvation. The resulting forests, temples and shrines, and the greenery of the banks of the Hirose River and Mt. Aoba all come together to make Sendai the "City of Trees".
Illumination reflected on the glass
However, the "City of Trees" was burnt to the ground in the air raids on Sendai during World War II, and the trees disappeared. Through subsequent tree planting and reconstruction, the trees were replaced by greenery along Jozenji Dori, Aoba Dori, and other streets, as well as in Aobayama Park and Nishi Park.

The zelkova trees along Jozenji Dori are beautiful in the fresh green season, but when the leaves fall in winter, they become dark and dreary. The "SENDAI Pageant of Light" was born in 1986.

What are the highlights of this year's pageant?

Wrapped in gentle light
Here are some of the highlights and events of the 2024 SENDAI Pageant of Light.

Santa Claus will give you a wonderful present! The pageant is a sticker rally event in which visitors can receive stickers from Santa Claus by touring the area with the help of a map. You will receive different gifts depending on the number of stamps you collect.
Smile Deck (Observation Deck): Located on the Jozenji-dori Greenway, only those who wear the "Hika Ring," which will be distributed to those who donate 300 yen or more, will be allowed to go up to the deck.
Christmas Market: A hut (German for "cabin") will be set up in Nishiki-cho Park. A large tent will be set up as a space for eating and drinking.
STARLIGHT☆WINK CONCERT: December 15 (Sun.) in front of the Sendai Jozenji Building. This is a one-day-only concert where you can listen to a piano performance while watching the illumination of Jozenji Dori.

There will be many other attractions such as street performances by several performers, so please come to the "SENDAI Pageant of Light"! (Please check the official website for the dates and times of each event.)

Submit your best photos to the contest!

Capture the best moments with your camera
(Please check the official website for the dates and times of each event.) Take lots of pictures of the sparkling illumination. If you take a picture of your favorite one, please enter it in the "Photo Contest"!

■Photo Competition
Starlight Fantasy Category, Glittering Smile Category, Architect & Bronze Category, Iris Heart Category

Entry Period: Friday, December 6, 2024 - Monday, January 6, 2025
Judging Session: Sunday, January 26, 2025
Awards Ceremony: Sunday, March 2, 2025
Exhibition: April 2025 Scheduled in April, 2025 War Reconstruction Memorial Hall
For the official website of "SENDAI Pageant of Light", please visit

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