SENDAI Pageant of Starlight

The SENDAI Pageant of Starlight is a winter illumination on Jozenji-dori, the avenue of zelkova trees in the centre of Sendai, a city known as Mori no Miyako (杜の都), the City of Trees. Every December about 480,000 LEDs light 127 zelkova trees along the avenue. The pageant is paid for by sponsors and donations, including street fundraising in the weeks before it opens.

Highlights

The lights cover the avenue from the Sendai Mitsukoshi store at the east end to Jozenji Garden Hills at the west end. Several times each evening comes Starlight Wink (スターライト・ウインク): all the lights go out for about a minute, then come back on together.

Programs run alongside the lights in Kotodai Park (勾当台公園) next to the avenue. Winter Angels, local schoolchildren, act as guides, collect donations and give handbell performances and skating shows.

The 2026 edition: A New Step

The 2026 pageant is the 41st. Its theme is A New Step: Tomo ni Tsukuru Mirai no Akari (共に創る未来の灯り), lights for a future made together, and the organizers present it as the first step toward the 50th edition. A lighting ceremony on the green walkway in front of Sendai Mediatheque opens the run.

In 2026 Kotodai Park holds the Starlight Castle, a hunt for three hidden Santas with presents, a cappella and dance events, a Christmas Post and street performers. A concert by the Ground Self-Defense Force Northeastern Army Band and a Starlight Wink concert are also planned. The Sendai Christmas Market runs at the same time in Nishikicho Park.