Masterpieces by the Successive Generations of the Raku Family: A Symphony of Chrysanthemums
01 Sep – 24 Dec 2026
Art / Music / Theater Venue: Raku Museum
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
Art / Music / Theater 
The Grand Sumo Tournament in Kyoto
16 Oct 2026
Cuisine / Markets / Other Venue: Kyoto City Gymnasium
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
UNDERTALE WIND SYMPHONY in KYOTO
22 Sep – 23 Sep 2026
Art / Music / Theater Venue: Kyoto Concert Hall
World-traveling Japanese Taiko Drumming Group “Yamato” Japan Tour
11 Sep – 13 Sep 2026
Art / Music / Theater Venue: Kyoto Theatre
Search for Events
9 Results
The 1st Gion Marche Handicraft Market: Monozukuri Zaka
20 Sep 2026
Cuisine / Markets / Other Venue: Maruyama Park and Ōtani Mausoleum
Music Picnic 2026
26 Sep 2026
Art / Music / Theater Venue: Maruyama Park Music Hall
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"
Awata Festival
10 Oct - 15 Oct 2026
Traditional Events Venue: Awata-jinja Shrine
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
Special Autumn Nighttime Viewing and Illumination
23 Oct - 13 Dec 2026
Special Openings Venue: Kōdai-ji Temple
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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