Mitarashi River Foot-Dipping and Lantern Festival
01 Aug – 16 Aug 2026
Traditional Events Venue: Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
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 
Heian Antique Market 2026
21 Jan – 19 Aug 2026
Cuisine / Markets / Other Venue: Okazaki Park
Gion Matsuri Festival Yamahoko Junko Float Procession (Early Festival & Latter Festival)
17 Jul – 24 Jul 2026
Traditional Events Venue:
Gojo Wakamiya Pottery Festival
07 Aug – 10 Aug 2026
Cuisine / Markets / Other Venue: Along the north-south sidewalk of Gojo-dori Street, at the Wakamiya Hachimangu Shrine, and in the nearby ceramics shops and restaurants
Byobu Screen Exhibition During the Gion Festival
03 Jul – 23 Jul 2026
Special Openings Venue: Sugimoto Residence, designated as an Important Cultural Property
Ukiyo-e Super Creator: Utagawa Kuniyoshi Exhibition
18 Jul – 23 Sep 2026
Art / Music / Theater Venue: Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art, Main Building (North Wing), 1F
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Bon Odori Dance Festival
30 Jul - 31 Jul 2026
Cuisine / Markets / Other Venue: Northern part of Nishi Hongwan-ji Temple (parking lot)
Gion Festival Concert at Kyoto Station Building
07 Jul - 31 Jul 2026
Cuisine / Markets / Other Venue: ① Gion Hayashi Performance: Kyoto Station Building, Station Square (in front of Hotel Granvia Kyoto) ② Gion Hayashi Experience Session ③ Panel Exhibition & Lantern Decoration: Kyoto Station Building, North-South Free Passage, North Side Space
Umekoji Park Handicraft Market 2026
07 Feb - 31 Dec 2026
Cuisine / Markets / Other Venue: Umekoji Park (Event Plaza near the Shichijo Gate)
Kobo-ichi Market
21 Dec 2025 - 31 Dec 2026
Cuisine / Markets / Other Venue: To-ji Temple
“Re: Kyoto Exhibition 2026” Market
18 Apr - 31 Dec 2026
Cuisine / Markets / Other Venue: Higashi Hongan-ji Temple's Ohigashi-san Hiroba Square
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.
Read moreSeasonal Events
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Seasonal Information
No matter what time of year you visit, special experiences await.
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