“Hokusai and Hiroshige: Works from the Hara Yasusaburo Collection” Exhibition
18 Apr – 14 Jun 2026
Art / Music / Theater Venue: The Museum of Kyoto
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 
Hydrangea Festival and Garden Opening
01 Jun – 30 Jun 2026
Special Openings Venue: Fujinomori-jinja Shrine
Dining Event in the Five Geiko & Maiko Districts
28 Jun 2026
Cuisine / Markets / Other Venue: Traditional Japanese cuisine restaurants: Kikunoi, Takemuro, and Rokusei
The 75th Kyoto Takigi Noh (Main Performance)
01 Jun – 02 Jun 2026
Traditional Events Venue: Heian-jingu Shrine *In case of rain, the event will be held at the ROHM Theatre Kyoto's Main Hall.
Special Spring Opening
15 Apr – 31 May 2026
Special Openings Venue: Ruriko-in Temple
Bronze Gallery: Ancient Chinese Bronzes
04 Apr – 31 Jul 2026
Art / Music / Theater Venue: Sen-oku Hakukokan Museum
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Haru no Odori – Spring Dance Performances by Maiko and Geiko in 2026
20 Mar - 22 May 2026
Art / Music / Theater Venue: Various locations
The 11th Tadasu Kanjin Noh Theater Performance (PR)
23 May 2026
Traditional Events Venue: Shimogamo-jinja Shrine's Maidono Hall (Dance Hall, Important Cultural Property)
KYOTO NIPPON FESTIVAL 2026: -Beyond time, the garden blooms-
01 Feb - 24 May 2026
Special Openings Venue: Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
400 Years of Western Paintings: Masterpieces from Tokyo Fuji Art Museum
20 Mar - 24 May 2026
Art / Music / Theater Venue: Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art, Main Building (North Wing) 1F
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.
Kamogawa Odori Maiko & Geiko Performance
05 May - 24 May 2026
Art / Music / Theater Venue: Pontocho Kaburenjo Theater
Special Opening of the First Floor of the Five-Story Pagoda
25 Apr - 25 May 2026
Special Openings Venue: To-ji Temple
Ariwara no Narihira Memorial Day
28 May 2026
Traditional Events Venue: Jūrin-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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