Special Exhibition: Raku Successive Generations — Raku Tea Bowls Crossing Time
25 Apr – 26 Aug 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 
Mitarashi River Foot-Dipping and Lantern Festival
01 Aug – 16 Aug 2026
Traditional Events Venue: Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
Tanabata Bamboo Decoration Illumination
01 Jul – 15 Aug 2026
Special Openings Venue: Kifune-jinja Shrine
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
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
Heian Antique Market 2026
21 Jan – 19 Aug 2026
Cuisine / Markets / Other Venue: Okazaki Park
Search for Events
34 Results
Wakamiya Hachimangu Grand Festival and Pottery Festival
08 Aug 2026
Traditional Events Venue: Wakamiya Hachimangu Shrine
[ Notice ]
*The ceramic portable shrine procession will not take place in 2026.
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
Welcoming the Spirits: Rokudo Mairi Ritual
07 Aug - 10 Aug 2026
Traditional Events Venue: Rokudo Chinno-ji Temple
Rokuharamitsu-ji Temple’s Mantoe Lantern Festival
08 Aug - 10 Aug 2026
Traditional Events Venue: Rokuharamitsu-ji Temple
The Shogun Takes His Seat —San-no-ma (Third Room) of the Ohiroma—: Mural Exhibition
13 Jun - 11 Aug 2026
Art / Music / Theater Venue: Nijo-jo Castle Painting Gallery
Tanabata Bamboo Decoration Illumination
01 Jul - 15 Aug 2026
Special Openings Venue: Kifune-jinja Shrine
Eizan Railway Train Decorated With Tanabata Festival Ornaments
01 Jul - 15 Aug 2026
Cuisine / Markets / Other Venue: Running mainly between Demachiyanagi Station and Kurama Station
Ensho-ji Temple’s Lantern Floating Ceremony
16 Aug 2026
Traditional Events Venue: Hirosawa Pond
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.
Read more
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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