KYOTO NIPPON FESTIVAL 2026: -Beyond time, the garden blooms-
01 Feb – 24 May 2026
Special Openings 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
Special Openings 
Haru no Odori – Spring Dance Performances by Maiko and Geiko in 2026
20 Mar – 22 May 2026
Art / Music / Theater Venue: Various locations
Nijo Castle 2026 SAKURA NIGHTS Immersive Theatre & Projection Mapping
19 Mar – 19 Apr 2026
Special Openings Venue: Former Imperial Villa Nijo-jo Castle
Special Nighttime Opening in Spring of 2026
13 Mar – 06 May 2026
Special Openings Venue: Kodai-ji Temple
KYOTOGRAPHIE Kyoto International Photography Festival 2026
18 Apr – 17 May 2026
Art / Music / Theater Venue: *Opening hours and closed days vary depending on the venue.
Yabusame – Mounted Archery Ritual
03 May 2026
Traditional Events Venue: Shimogamo-jinja Shrine
Search for Events
6 Results
Yamabuki (Japanese Kerria) Festival
10 Apr - 05 May 2026
Traditional Events Venue: Matsunoo-taisha Shrine
Oide (Departing) Matsuri and Okaeri (Returning) Matsuri Festival Processions
26 Apr - 17 May 2026
Traditional Events Venue: Matsunoo-taisha Shrine
Mifune Festival
17 May 2026
Traditional Events Venue: Around Arashiyama Ōi River (upstream of Togetsukyo Bridge)
Saga Festival: Departing and Returning Float Processions
17 May - 24 May 2026
Traditional Events Venue: Departing Procession (May 17): Otabisho (Temporary Shrine) in front of Seiryō-ji (Saga Shakadō) Temple / Returning Procession (May 24): Otabisho at 10 AM -> North Saga area -> Arrival at Daikaku-ji Temple at 11:30 AM -> Departure from JR Saga-Arashiyama Station at 3:00 PM -> Arrival at Arashiyama Nakanoshima Park at 3:30 PM -> Departure from Nonomiya-cho -> Arrival at Otabisho around 4:55 PM *Scheduled departure and arrival times of the floats. They might vary slightly on the day.
“Jakuchū: Prancing Feathers and Swelling Gourds” Exhibition
25 Apr - 05 Jul 2026
Art / Music / Theater Venue: Fukuda Art Museum
“Go, go go! Team Ōkyo – Maruyama Ōkyo and the Artists he Mentored” Exhibition
25 Apr - 27 Sep 2026
Art / Music / Theater Venue: Saga Arashiyama Museum of Arts and Culture
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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