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Festivals & Events

Festivals & Events
Gion Matsuri Festival

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

Special Exhibition: Hinamatsuri Festival and Dolls
Standing Hina Dolls, Jirōzaemon-Headed Type, Kyoto National Museum

Special Exhibition: Hinamatsuri Festival and Dolls

07 Feb – 15 Mar 2026

Art / Music / Theater

Venue: Kyoto National Museum, Heisei Chishinkan Wing, Gallery 1F-2

Official Website See details (Japanese)
Special Nighttime Opening in Spring of 2026
The best time to see the weeping cherry blossoms is from late March to early April.

Special Nighttime Opening in Spring of 2026

13 Mar – 06 May 2026

Special Openings

Venue: Kodai-ji Temple

Official Website See details (Japanese)

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“Designs Blossoming in Everyday Life: The World of Taisho Imagerie” Exhibition

“Designs Blossoming in Everyday Life: The World of Taisho Imagerie” Exhibition

20 Dec 2025 - 08 Mar 2026

Art / Music / Theater

Venue: Asahi Group Ōyamazaki Villa Museum of Art

Official Website See details (Japanese)
Maiko Performance Event: Experience Kyoto’s Traditional Culture

Maiko Performance Event: Experience Kyoto’s Traditional Culture

14 May 2025 - 11 Mar 2026

Tours & Experiences

Venue: Hotel Intergate Kyoto, Shijo Shinmachi 1F, Special Venue

Official Website See details (Japanese)

Main Events

Aoi Matsuri Festival

Aoi Matsuri Festival

May 15

A long-held procession from Kyoto Imperial Palace to two historic shrines, with 500 people in courtly Heian attire.

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Gion Matsuri Festival

Gion Matsuri Festival

July 1-31

One of the three greatest festivals of Japan, when downtown Kyoto is lively with lavishly decorated festival floats.

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Kyoto Gozan Okuribi Bonfires

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

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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Aoi Matsuri Festival
Gion Matsuri Festival
Kyoto Gozan Okuribi Bonfires
Jidai Matsuri Festival

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Seasonal Information

No matter what time of year you visit, special experiences await.

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