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 
Shimai Kobo: Last Kobo-ichi Flea Market of the Year
21 Dec 2026
Traditional Events Venue: Tō-ji Temple
Special Illumination and Nighttime Viewing of the Main Hall, Lecture Hall, and Three-Dimensional Mandala
31 Oct – 13 Dec 2026
Special Openings Venue: Tō-ji Temple
Maruyama Okyo and Ito Jakuchu Exhibition
17 Oct 2026 – 20 Jun 2027
Art / Music / Theater Venue: Shokoku-ji Jotenkaku Museum
NAKED meets Nijo Castle 2026 Illumination Event
23 Oct – 05 Dec 2026
Special Openings Venue: Nijo-jo Castle
Special Exhibition II: Muses – The Models Who Inspired Insho’s Art
15 Oct – 20 Dec 2026
Art / Music / Theater Venue: Kyoto Prefectural Insho-Domoto Museum of Fine Arts
Search for Events
81 Results
Wind & Brass Concert: Autumn Winds Fest
11 Nov 2026
Art / Music / Theater Venue: Kyoto City University of Arts, Horiba Shinkichi Memorial Hall
Tomono-sha Festival (Archery Ritual)
15 Nov 2026
Traditional Events Venue: Shiramine-jingu Shrine
Regular Concert by Doshisha University’s Traditional Japanese Music Club
15 Nov 2026
Art / Music / Theater Venue: Doshisha University, Kambaikan Building Hardy Hall
An Evening of Noh and Kyogen 2026
17 Nov 2026
Art / Music / Theater Venue: Kyoto Kanze Noh Theatre
Autumn Dance Performances by Maiko and Geiko in 2026
01 Oct - 18 Nov 2026
Art / Music / Theater Venue: Various venues throughout Kyoto
Special Inner Sanctuary Viewing at Yokawa Chudo
31 Oct - 23 Nov 2026
Special Openings Venue: Mount Hiei's Enryaku-ji Temple, Yokawa Chudo Hall
Special Public Opening of Historical Buildings and Gardens
24 Oct - 23 Nov 2026
Special Openings Venue: The Agency for Cultural Affairs and 40 other facilities in the vicinity of the Kyoto Prefectural Office
List of Fire Festivals in Kyoto City in 2026
05 Nov - 23 Nov 2026
Traditional Events Venue: Various venues throughout Kyoto
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.
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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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