Jidai Matsuri Festival
22 Oct 2025
Traditional Events Things to Do
Festivals & Events
Kyoto holds many cultural, artistic, and nature-related events throughout the year.
See which ones you will have a chance to experience during your upcoming trip.
*Please note that the displayed dates indicate only the start and the end date of an event. There may be days within that period when the event is not held. Please visit the official website linked below each entry for further details and latest information.
Featured Events
Traditional Events 
The 100th Anniversary of Mingei: Kyoto’s Legacy of Everyday Life
13 Sep – 07 Dec 2025
Art / Music / Theater 
YAMATO – The Drummers of Japan Concert
17 Oct – 18 Oct 2025
Art / Music / Theater 
Onshu-kai Geiko & Maiko Performance
01 Oct – 06 Oct 2025
Traditional Events 
Kyoto, dyed by Japan’s oldest cotton merchant – Japanese towels (tenugui) exhibition
12 Apr – 23 Oct 2025
Art / Music / Theater 
Higashi Hongan-ji Temple, Goei-do-mon (Founder’s Hall Gate) – Kyoto Summer Special Openings
11 Jul – 30 Sep 2025
Special Openings Search for Events
73 Results
Japanese Art at World’s Fairs from the Late Edo Period Onwards, Nihonga in Profusion: Hokusai, Taikan, Suiseki (Exhibition)
19 Jul - 28 Sep 2025
Art / Music / Theater Venue: Fukuda Art Museum
“Wearable Kanji” Special Exhibition
20 May - 28 Sep 2025
Art / Music / Theater Venue: Japan Kanji Museum & Library, 2nd Floor Special Exhibition Space
Shrine Maiden’s Chrysanthemum Kagura Dance Performance
01 Sep - 28 Sep 2025
Traditional Events Venue: Jonangu Shrine's Kaguraden Hall (Hall of Sacred Dance)
Koshi Matsuri (Comb Festival)
29 Sep 2025
Traditional Events Venue: Yasui Konpira Shrine
Kamogawa Riverside Dining
01 May - 30 Sep 2025
Cuisine / Markets / Other Venue: West bank of Kamo River, Nijo to Gojo
Shimogamo-jinja Shrine Honden (Main Sanctuary) and Oidono (Old Sanctuary Kitchen) – Kyoto Summer Special Openings
11 Jul - 30 Sep 2025
Special Openings Venue: Shimogamo-jinja Shrine Honden (Main Sanctuary) and Oidono (Old Sanctuary Kitchen)
Kamigamo-jinja Shrine Honden (Main Sanctuary) and Gonden (Temporary Sanctuary) – Kyoto Summer Special Openings
11 Jul - 30 Sep 2025
Special Openings Venue: Kamigamo-jinja Shrine Honden (Main Sanctuary) and Gonden (Temporary Sanctuary)
[ Notice ]
Closed on July 16th (Wed), 17th (Thu), and 18th (Fri)
Ninna-ji Temple Kannon-do Hall – Kyoto Summer Special Openings
11 Jul - 30 Sep 2025
Special Openings Venue: Ninna-ji Temple Kannon-do Hall
[ Notice ]
Closed on July 18th (Fri), August 18th (Mon), and September 18th (Thu)
Main Events
Aoi Matsuri Festival
May 15
A long-held procession from Kyoto Imperial Palace to two historic shrines, with 500 people in courtly Heian attire.
Read more
Gion Matsuri Festival
July 1-31
One of the three greatest festivals of Japan, when downtown Kyoto is lively with lavishly decorated festival floats.
Read more
Kyoto Gozan Okuribi Bonfires
August 16
Five mountains around Kyoto are lit up with bonfires as a send-off for ancestral spirits who visit during Obon.
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Jidai Matsuri Festival
October 22
This parade of roughly 2,000 participants dressed in period garb representing over 1,000 years of Kyoto’s history.
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