Events in Kyoto

Your laid-back guide to Kyoto’s magical events

Hey there, traveler! Are you ready to wander and discover Kyoto’s secret delights this year? Imagine strolling through warm, lantern-lit evenings, enjoying ancient traditions and making wishes under bamboo branches. Kyoto is a wonderland, from dazzling light-ups and theatrical performances to spiritual rituals by rivers and mountains. Whether you’re chasing culture or a peaceful retreat away from the everyday world, here’s your ultimate guide to the events in Kyoto.

Major Annual Events in Kyoto

Kyoto’s biggest, most famous festivals are woven into the city’s identity, experiences worth planning your trip around.

Gion Matsuri

This isn’t just a festival,  it’s the festival. The whole city becomes a catwalk of floats, lanterns, and street food that will ruin your summer body in the best possible way. The two main parades (July 17 & 24) are the highlight, but the sultry “Yoiyama” nights beforehand? Pure magic, with every street corner begging for your attention (and your camera).

Aoi Matsuri (Hollyhock Festival)

Imagine this: over 500 people dressed like they’ve just stepped out of a Heian-era romance novel, parading through Kyoto with ox-carts and courtly grace. It’s elegance, history, and an Instagram dream all in one. This is your fantasy if you’ve ever wanted to feel like Japanese royalty for a day.

Jidai Matsuri

Kyoto’s favorite throwback party, except instead of cheesy ‘80s outfits, you’re getting over a thousand years of Japanese fashion, worn by two thousand people who know how to work a procession. Held every October 22, this “Festival of the Ages” struts from the Imperial Palace to Heian Shrine, telling Kyoto’s history in reverse, starting with the Meiji era and working all the way back to the Heian period. Think samurai armor, silk brocades, noblewomen in twelve-layered kimono, and even warriors on horseback. It’s the world’s most sophisticated costume parade, and yes, it’s worth rearranging your travel dates for.

Seasonal Events in Kyoto

Spring Events in Kyoto

• Miyako Odori – April 1–30: Geiko and maiko (as pictured below) perform graceful dances in Gion’s Kaburenjo Theatre.
  
  

• Mifune Festival – May 18: Heian-costumed boats glide along Arashiyama’s Oi River.
  
  

• Setsubun at Yasaka Shrine – Feb 2–3: Geiko and maiko scatter beans to ward off evil spirits.

Summer Events in Kyoto

• Takigi Noh – June 1–2: Open-air Noh theater by firelight at Heian Shrine.
  
  

• Gozan no Okuribi – Aug 16: Five mountain bonfires bid farewell to ancestral spirits.
  
  

• Tanabata Illumination – July 1–Aug 15: Romantic wish-writing nights under bamboo lights at Kifune Shrine. 

Autumn Events in Kyoto

• Kurama Fire Festival – Oct 22: Massive torch-lit procession in a mountain village (as pictured below).
  
  

• Kitano Tenmangu Chrysanthemum Festival – November: Stunning floral displays.
  
  

Winter Events in Kyoto

• Okera Mairi – Dec 31–Jan 1: New Year’s Eve fire ritual at Yasaka Shrine.
  
  

• Miyama Snow Lantern Festival – Late Jan: Thatched-roof village lit by glowing snow lanterns.
  
  

• Kyoto Marathon – Feb 16, 2025: Scenic winter run past temples and rivers.

Niche or Themed Events in Kyoto

• Kyoto International Manga & Anime Fair (KYO-MAF) – September: Japan’s largest manga/anime event outside Tokyo and a perfect opportunity for cosplay (as pictured below).
  
  

• Kitano Grand Tea Ceremony – October: An immersive outdoor tea experience.
  
  

How to Plan Your Trip to Attend Kyoto Events

• Book Early: Reserve Gion, Higashiyama, or Nakagyo stays months ahead for festival proximity.
  
  

• Use a JR Pass: For smooth travel between Kyoto and other cities.
  
  

• Stay Connected: Keep maps, translations, and photos at your fingertips with Pocket Wi-Fi.
  
  

• Tickets: Parades like Gion and Jidai have VIP seating; book via official sites or tourist centers.
  
  

• Best Areas:
  

  1. Gion - Geisha district glamour, close to Yasaka Shrine
     
     

  2. Higashiyama - Scenic and near Heian Shrine
     
     

  3. Central Nakagyo - Great for shopping and easy transit
     
     

  4. Arashiyama - Riverside charm for the Mifune Festival

Nearby Recommendations

Local Attractions in Kyoto

• Kiyomizu-dera Temple - Iconic hillside views
  
  

• Arashiyama Bamboo Grove (pictured below) - Magical morning walks
  
  

• Philosopher’s Path - Best in cherry blossom or autumn season
  
  

Restaurants & Cafés

• Nishiki Market - Street food heaven (pictured below)
  
  

• % Arabica Kyoto Higashiyama - Perfect coffee + latte art
  
  

• Gion Karyo - Refined kaiseki dining
  

FAQs About Events in Kyoto

Q: What are the three great festivals in Kyoto?

A: Kyoto’s Three Great Festivals are Aoi Matsuri (May), Gion Matsuri (July), and Jidai Matsuri (October), each showcasing the city’s history, culture, and pageantry in its own spectacular way.

Q: What is the biggest festival in Kyoto?

A: The biggest festival in Kyoto is Gion Matsuri, a month-long July celebration famous for its massive float parades, lantern-lit streets, and centuries-old traditions.

Q: Where to Stay in Kyoto?

A: For the best event access and that I’m-in-the-center-of-it-all feeling, choose your base by season and festival:

• Gion – Perfect for Gion Matsuri, Okera Mairi, and geisha district charm.

• Higashiyama – Scenic streets, temples, and close to Heian Shrine for Jidai Matsuri and Takigi Noh.

• Central Nakagyo – Great transport links and easy access to parades and shopping.

• Arashiyama – Peaceful riverside vibe for Mifune Festival and relaxing between events.

Tip: Book early, Kyoto’s best stays fill fast around major festivals.

Q: Is there anything to do in Kyoto?

A: From spring’s Miyako Odori geiko dance performances to summer’s Gion Matsuri and Gozan no Okuribi bonfire night, autumn’s Jidai Matsuri historical parade, and winter’s Okera Mairi New Year ritual, the city has celebrations year-round.