murmurNara festival calendar
Month by month: when each event is usually held, and the dates we have confirmed.
Dates can change. Check the official website before you go.
January
- Nyodosai Sacred Fire Festival (Omiwa Shrine) Ended Usually early January Thu, Jan 1, 2026
- Wakakusa Yamayaki (Mount Wakakusa Grass Burning) Ended Usually late January Sat, Jan 24, 2026Sat, Jan 23, 2027
February
- Saiendo Shuni-e and Tsuina-e Demon Chasing (Horyuji) Usually early February · Please check the official website for dates.
- Setsubun Mantoro Lantern Festival (Kasuga Taisha) Usually early February Wed, Feb 3, 2027
- Kigensai Founding Festival (Kashihara Jingu) Ended Usually mid February Wed, Feb 11, 2026
March
- Omizutori (Shuni-e at Todaiji Nigatsudo Hall) Usually early March Mar 1–14, 2027
- Hanaeshiki Flower Ceremony (Yakushiji) Usually late March Mar 25–31, 2027
- Yamatokoriyama Castle Festival Ended Usually late March Mar 24 – Apr 7, 2026
April
- Hanaku Senbo-e Cherry Blossom Rite (Kinpusen-ji Temple) Usually early April · Please check the official website for dates.
- Nerikuyo Procession of the 25 Bodhisattvas (Taima-dera Temple) Usually mid April · Please check the official website for dates.
- Chinka-sai "Medicine Festival" (Omiwa Shrine) Usually mid April · Please check the official website for dates.
May
- Takigi Ono Firelight Noh (Kasuga Taisha and Kofuku-ji) Ended Usually mid May May 15–16, 2026
- Uchiwamaki Fan-Throwing Ceremony (Toshodai-ji Temple) Ended Usually mid May Tue, May 19, 2026
June
- Saikusa Festival "Lily Festival" (Isagawa Shrine) Ended Usually mid June Wed, Jun 17, 2026
July
- Fuchin Taisai Wind-Calming Festival (Tatsuta Taisha Shrine) Ended Usually early July Sun, Jul 5, 2026
- Rengee and Kaerutobi Frog-Jumping Rite (Kinpusenji Temple) Ended Usually early July Tue, Jul 7, 2026
- Annual Grand Festival of Tenkawa Daibenzaiten Shrine Usually mid July · Please check the official website for dates.
August
- Nara Tokae (Candlelight Festival) Ended Usually early August Aug 5–14, 2026
- Yoshinogawa Festival and Fireworks Usually mid August · Please check the official website for dates.
- Totsukawa Odori Dances (Musashi, Ohara and Nishikawa) Usually mid August · Please check the official website for dates.
- All-Japan Goldfish Scooping Championship Ended Usually late August Sun, Aug 23, 2026
September
- Uneme Festival (Uneme Shrine, Sarusawa Pond) Ended Usually late September Sep 24–25, 2026
October
- Susuki Lantern Offering at Kamotsuba Shrine (Autumn Festival Eve) Ended Usually early October Sat, Oct 10, 2026
- Daimokutate at Yahashira Shrine (Kamifukawa) Usually mid October Mon, Oct 12, 2026
- Kakitsu Festival at Tanzan Shrine Ended Usually mid October Sun, Oct 11, 2026
- Furu Matsuri (Annual Grand Festival of Isonokami Jingu) Usually mid October Thu, Oct 15, 2026
November
- Gosemachi Sogetsusai (Gose Old Town Autumn Festival) Usually early November Sun, Nov 8, 2026
- Traditional Deer Antler Cutting Ceremony (Shika no Tsunokiri) Usually early November Nov 7–8, 2026
December
- Kasuga Wakamiya Onmatsuri Festival Usually mid December · Please check the official website for dates.