Special Illumination and Nighttime Viewing of the Main Hall, Lecture Hall, and Three-Dimensional Mandala
31 Oct – 13 Dec 2026
Special Openings Venue: Tō-ji Temple
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
Special Openings 
Kyoto YOKAI Festival 2026
12 Sep – 29 Nov 2026
Cuisine / Markets / Other Venue: Uzumasa Kyoto Village
The Grand Sumo Tournament in Kyoto
16 Oct 2026
Cuisine / Markets / Other Venue: Kyoto City Gymnasium
Masterpieces by the Successive Generations of the Raku Family: A Symphony of Chrysanthemums
01 Sep – 24 Dec 2026
Art / Music / Theater Venue: Raku Museum
Exhibition: Children Who Grew Up with Manga– 40 Years of Manga in Europe
17 Sep 2026 – 19 Jan 2027
Art / Music / Theater Venue: Kyoto International Manga Museum, 2nd Floor, Galleries 1, 2 & 3
IMAGINE NOH – Legends and Laughter on Stage
14 Oct – 05 Nov 2026
Art / Music / Theater Venue: Kyoto Kanze Noh Theater
Search for Events
6 Results
Onshu-kai Maiko & Geiko Dance Performance
01 Oct - 06 Oct 2026
Traditional Events Venue: Gion Kobu Kaburenjo Theater *Please use the stairs to access the 2nd floor venue.
Mizue-kai Maiko & Geiko Dance Performance
08 Oct - 11 Oct 2026
Traditional Events Venue: Miyagawa-cho Kaburenjo Theater "Mitsuwa-za"
Suimei-kai Maiko & Geiko Dance Performance
15 Oct - 20 Oct 2026
Traditional Events Venue: Pontocho Kaburenjo Theater
Hatsuka Ebisu Festival
19 Oct - 20 Oct 2026
Traditional Events Venue: Kyoto Ebisu-jinja Shrine
“Surprising Compositions” Japanese Handtowels Exhibition
21 Aug - 15 Dec 2026
Art / Music / Theater Venue: Hosotsuji Ihee Museum
Exhibition: Children Who Grew Up with Manga– 40 Years of Manga in Europe
17 Sep 2026 - 19 Jan 2027
Art / Music / Theater Venue: Kyoto International Manga Museum, 2nd Floor, Galleries 1, 2 & 3
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.
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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
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.
Read moreSeasonal Events
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Seasonal Information
No matter what time of year you visit, special experiences await.
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