CONTRIBUTED BY KACEY A.
Here you’ll find a variety of local events happening in the month of December. Events on the island are constantly being created and changed, so please make sure to use the contact info provided on each event to verify information. If you know of an additional event that you’d like to share with our readers, please add it to the comments below!
December 1st
From Ginowan LIVE @ Naha G7
Johnny Ginowan, Coda & Lina and BUMBA perform live. Live Station G7, 5-14 POST Building 2F, Route 58 Izumizaki Intersection, Higashi, Naha. Doors open 7:30pm, Curtain 8pm. ¥2,000 with Drink. 098-867-8222
Gate #2 Festa
Live street performances, amateur professional wrestling, motorcycle parade, and other various attractions. “Gate 2 Street”, Koza music town open space, Goya – Okinawa-shi. 098-989-5566
Naha Marathon
Largest marathon on island. Starts rain or shine 9am. Starts at Route 58 Meiji Bridge intersection, finishes at Onoyama athletics stadium.
December 1st – 2nd
50th Ryukyu Classical Performing Arts Festival
A variety of classical performing arts. Ryukyu Shimpu Hall, 1-10-3 Izumizaki, Naha. Doors 5:30pm, Curtain 6pm. ¥1,800. 098-865-5255
December 1st – December 12th
Yasai-ya Source Vegetable Market
Pop-up vegetable market. Organically grown vegetable farm selling vegetables and breads. 11:30am – 4pm. D&D Department Okinawa by Okinawa Standard, 2-39-8 Xincheng, Ginowan City. 098-894-2112
December 1st – 28th
Oh San Project
Open gallery “Art Market” featuring Okinawa artists working with the theme of “life”. Different artistic points of view of mother earth, mother sea and natural health. Thursdays thru Sundays 1pm – 5pm. Free Admission. 6-36-44 Chibana, Okinawa City. 080-4284-1272 osanproject@gmail.com
December 1st – January 11th
Hello Kitty Art Exhibition
1974 – Current Hello Kitty of Sanrio goods on display. Painting and other Hello Kitty artwork. 11am – 6pm Daily. Adults ¥800, Students ¥500, Children ¥300. Tomiton 1-411 Toyosaki, Tomigusuku-shi
December 3rd
Christmas Family Concert
Holiday concert performed by Manami, Jimama & more! Okinawa Civic Center 1-1-1 Yaeshima, Okinawa City. ¥2,500 in Advance, ¥3,000 at Door. Doors open 6pm, Curtain 6:30pm. Contact 070-6596-0548 for more information.
December 4th
2 Star
Pops and Street LIVE performance outside. Carnival Park, American Village, Mihama. 5pm – 7pm.
December 5th
Gospel Concert
Gospel Concert Street Performance. Carnival Park, American Village, Mihama. 5pm – 7pm.
Seaside Park Flea Market
Last flea market of the year at Seaside Park. Taiikukanmae Square in Ginowan Seaside Park Central Square, Ginowan. 9am – 12pm. 098-897-2751
December 5th – 6th
9th Chatan Health and Welfare Festival
Consultations and experiences of health and welfare. Live performances including rapping grannies! December 5th,12pm – 4pm. December 6th, 10am – 4pm. Chatan Park Baseball Field. 936.4336
Toyomu Nakagusuku Industry Festival
Local Nakagusuku goods and products fair. Plenty of food, performances, and shopping for the whole family. December 5th 10am – 8pm. December 6th 10am – 6pm. 620 Toma Nakagusuku, Nakagami-gun.
December 6th
Stamp
Street Performance. Carnival Park, American Village, Mihama. 6pm – 7pm.
Shogai Gakushu Festival
Okinawa City cultural associations offer performances and workshops for the whole family. Miyahira-sensei will hold a tea ceremony. Free entrance and participation. Okinawa City Gymnasium, 2-1-1 Moromizato, Okinawa City. 9:30am – 4:30pm
Ryukyu Kings vs. Fukushima Firebonds
Ginowan City Gym, Ginowan. Tickets vary from ¥900 to ¥4,000 per game. Season tickets available. Tickets can be purchased at Kadena ITT, MCCS Tours+, and box office. 5:30pm doors open, 7:00pm tip off.
December 7th
Ryukyu Kings vs. Fukushima Firebonds
Ginowan City Gym, Ginowan. Tickets vary from ¥900 to ¥4,000 per game. Season tickets available. Tickets can be purchased at Kadena ITT, MCCS Tours+, and box office. 12:30pm doors open, 2pm tip off.
December 11th
2 Star
Pops and Street LIVE performance outside. Carnival Park, American Village, Mihama. 5pm – 7pm.
December 12th
JJ Basketball Performance
Street Basketball. Carnival Park, American Village, Mihama. 2pm – 4pm.
December 12th -13th
Okinawa Flea Market
Antique shops and miscellaneous goods. Live performances, delicious food. 10am – 7pm. Ashibina Outlet Mall, Tomigusuku, Toyosaki
13th Okinawa Healing Paradise
Okinawa prefecture’s largest exhibition of alternative therapies. Free entrance. December 12th: 2pm – 9pm. December 13th: 10am – 4:30pm. Okinawa Convention Center Conference Hall, A1, 4-3-1 Mashiki, Ginowan
Festival of Party 2014 – Uruma New Year of the Dragon King
Great performances respecting traditional arts and challenging new performances. Doors 4:30pm, Curtain 6:30pm. Tickets ¥1,500 – ¥3,000. 2298-1 Ishikawa, Uruma. ryujinnoutage@gmail.com
Nago-Yanbaru Tsudemachi
Walking tournament to promote health. 8 courses available over the two days featuring 5km – 40km paths. Costume contest available. Pre-registration and day of applications available. Check website for details.
December 13th
Doggie Santa Walk
Parade of dogs and their families. Carnival Park, American Village, Mihama. 3pm – 7pm.
Ginowan Wheelchair Marathon
3.5km marathon near Ginowan Seaside Park. 9am – 12pm.
Wanko-Soba Eating Competition
1st every soba eating contest. Winner will compete in the national tournament. Registration has already passed, but you can watch the event! Starts at 1pm. Koza Box 1-15-1 Chuo, Okinawa. 098-989-0905
December 18th
Gifts
Mens vocal groups and gospel groups perform with a woman pianist. Carnival Park, American Village, Mihama. 5pm – 7pm.
December 18th – 20th
Yomitanzan Yaki Pottery City
Yomitan pottery festival with exhibitions and discounted pottery. 2653-1 Zakimi, Yomitan
December 19th
X’Mas Music Hanabi
Christmas music & fireworks festival. Approximately 10,000 will be displayed along to Christmas songs. Rain or Shine. Tickets available at FamilyMart (discounted) or at entrance. Adults ¥3,300; Children ¥2,200; Parking ¥1,200 Doors open 1pm. Show starts at 7pm. West Hara-Yonabaru Marine Park. 17 Higashizaki, Nishihara, Nakagami-gun.
December 20th
Ryukyu Kings vs. Shiga Lake Stars
Okinawa City Gym, Okinawa City. Tickets vary from ¥900 to ¥4,000 per game. Season tickets available. Tickets can be purchased at Kadena ITT, MCCS Tours+, and box office. 5:30pm doors open, 7pm tip off.
December 20th – 21st
9th Uruma-shi Industry Festival
Uruma city products for display, education, and sale. Promotion of city industry. Free entrance. Uruma City Hall Ishikawa Government Building 1-1 Ishikawa, Ishizaki, Uruma. 10am – 6pm. 098-965-5634
Onna Industry Festival
Events, displays and sales of Onna products and handicrafts. Live performances and local food. December 20th 11am – 5pm. December 21st 10am – 5pm. 5973 Onna, Kunigami District
December 21th
Ryukyu Kings vs. Shiga Lake Stars
Okinawa City Gym, Okinawa City. Tickets vary from ¥900 to ¥4,000 per game. Season tickets available. Tickets can be purchased at Kadena ITT, MCCS Tours+, and box office. 12:30pm doors open, 2pm tip off.
December 23rd
Ra-Shi-Sa de Flea Market
Find clothing, accessories, tablewear, and other goods at this unique flea market. Cafe & Sweets on site. 11am – 5pm. Zakka & Mini Cafe ra-shi-sa 862-32 Ohama, Motobu. 0980-47-7650
Ryukyu Dragon Pro Wrestling
Navel Kadena Arena. 372-2 Kaneku, Kadena Town. Tickets between ¥1,000 and ¥6,000. 2pm Start. 098-956-5500
December 26th
Ryukyu Dragon Pro Wrestling
Navel Kadena Arena. 372-2 Kaneku, Kadena Town. Tickets between ¥1,000 and ¥4,000. 6pm Start. 098-956-5500
December 31st
Festival of the 36th Mabuni, Fire and Bell
Memorial service and festival of the 230,000+ victims of the Okinawa war. Okinawa peace prayer hymns during midnight. To celebrate a peaceful future. Okinawa Peace Prayer Park, 448-2 Mabuni, Itoman-shi. 10pm – 1am.
Illuminations
Zakimi Castle Ruins: 708-4 Zakimi, Yomitan. Daily 6pm – 9pm. Free. Weather dependant.
Stardust Fantasia: Kanucha Resort, 156-2 Abe, Nago. Daily 6pm. ¥3,000 at event, ¥2000 in advance.
Mihama American Village Illumination: American Village, Mihama. Free Daily 6pm – Midnight. Until January 30th.
Itoman Tourist Farm: 1018 Mabuni, Itoman. Laser show on December 21st & 24th. Illuminations from December 12th – January 3rd. 6pm – 10pm. 098-840-8135
Ashibi Winter Elegance: Ashibina Outlet Mall, 1-188 Toyosaki, Tomigusuku. Free. Illuminations until February 14th. Snowfall at 5pm, 6pm, 7pm, 8pm. Illumination show at 6pm, 7pm, 8pm. Daily. 098-891-6000
Tonan Night Decoration: Southeast Botanical Gardens. Illuminations until February 14th. 5pm – 10pm. Admission ¥1,000 – ¥1,800. Annual passes available.
Other Holidays & Events
December 23rd – Emperor’s Birthday (Tenno Tanjobi)
December 31st – New Year’s Eve (Omisoka)