Oct102026
Beppu Art Month 2026 (17th)
Beppu's open-platform cultural festival run by BEPPU PROJECT in which citizens and artists stage exhibitions, performances and workshops across the hot-spring city each autumn.
34 events
What's on in Kyushu.
Events across the Kyushu region, checked against official sources.
Oct302026
Oita Hikari no Fantasy 2026
Central Oita lights about 550,000 bulbs along Chuo-dori and Funai Aqua Park for Hikari no Fantasy, subtitled 'Ashita ni Kakeru Hoshi'.
Oct302026
Saga International Balloon Fiesta
International hot air balloon competition on the Kase Riverbank in Saga City, with 123 balloons entered for 2026.
Nov22026
Kagoshima Ohara Matsuri
Mass dance festival in Tenmonkan, Kagoshima City, with more than 20,000 dancers performing to the Ohara-bushi folk song.
Nov22026
Karatsu Kunchi
Autumn festival of Karatsu Shrine in which 14 hikiyama floats are pulled through Karatsu City.
Nov22026
Ohara Matsuri (75th)
Southern Kyushu's largest festival: some 20,000 dancers in yukata perform the Ohara-bushi and Hanya-bushi along the tram tracks of Tenmonkan.
Nov32026
Hikari no Machi Hakata 2026
JR Hakata Station plaza becomes the 'City of Light Hakata' for its 15th year, with the new 160,000-bulb 'Hakatarium' symbol.
Nov62026
Huis Ten Bosch 'The Starlight Million' illumination and European Holy Christmas
Japan's largest illumination by bulb count (13 million+), fully refreshed for the first time in 16 years in 2026 with a 'walk among the stars' concept, plus a European Christmas market and giant trees.
Nov62026
Huis Ten Bosch Kingdom of Lights (The Starlight Million)
Winter illumination at Huis Ten Bosch in Sasebo, renewed for 2026-27 as The Starlight Million.
Nov72026
Usuki Takeyoi Bamboo Lantern Festival
Some 20,000 bamboo lanterns light the samurai streets of Usuki for the legend of Princess Hannyahime.
Nov82026
Fukuoka Marathon 2026
Point-to-point city marathon for 13,000 runners from central Fukuoka to a coastal finish in Itoshima.
Nov82026
Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament 2026
The November grand sumo tournament: 15 days at the Fukuoka Kokusai Center.
Nov152026
Takachiho Yokagura Night Kagura Season
All-night sacred kagura dances performed in Takachiho's villages from mid-November to early February.
Nov222026
Takachiho Yokagura Festival (Shinwa no Takachiho Yokagura Matsuri)
Opening showcase of Takachiho's yokagura season: all 33 dances of the UNESCO-inscribed (2024) Takachiho night kagura, including Tajikarao hauling open the rock cave, performed over two days at the shrine.
Dec132026
Aoshima Taiheiyo Marathon 2026
Miyazaki's flat, palm-lined December marathon ('Aotai') along the Pacific to Aoshima island, with 10 km and 3 km races; one of Kyushu's best-loved winter road races.
Feb52027
Nagasaki Lantern Festival
Winter lantern festival in central Nagasaki City, begun as a Chinese New Year celebration, with over 15,000 lanterns.
Feb132027
Jojima Sake Brewery Opening 2027 (33rd)
Kyushu's biggest kurabiraki: the breweries of the Jojima sake district near Kurume open together for one weekend with new-sake tasting, drawing around 100,000 visitors.
Feb212027
Kumamoto Castle Marathon 2027
A 13,000-runner city marathon that finishes beneath Kumamoto Castle's keep, held in late February alongside a 30 km race and fun run.
Mar72027
Kagoshima Marathon 2027
Kagoshima's bayside marathon with Sakurajima smoking across the water, 10,000 runners plus a fun run; the 2027 edition is branded for the Saigo Takamori anniversaries.
Mar272027
Kashima Sakagura Tourism and Hizen Hamashuku Flower & Sake Festival
A spring weekend when Saga's Kashima breweries, including Fukuchiyo (maker of cult sake Nabeshima), open their kura along the Edo-era Hizen Hamashuku street, with 100,000 visitors tasting and buying.
Apr12027
Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival
Beppu's spring festival of thanks to the hot springs, with the Ogiyama fire burning and the Yu-bukkake water parade.
Apr182027
Kawachi Fujien Wisteria Garden Season
A private wisteria garden with two tunnels up to 110 metres, open only in season and by advance ticket at peak.
May32027
Hakata Dontaku Port Festival
Golden Week port festival in Fukuoka City, with parades along Meiji-dori and performances on stages across the city.
Jul12027
Hakata Gion Yamakasa
Summer festival centred on Kushida Shrine, in which seven districts race one-ton kakiyama floats through Hakata.
Jul312027
Hita Gion Festival
Hita's 300-year-old Gion festival of towering Yamahoko floats, part of the UNESCO-listed Yama, Hoko, Yatai float festivals.
Aug52027
Chikugo River Fireworks Festival
One of Kyushu's largest fireworks displays, launched simultaneously at Kyomachi and Sasayama on the Chikugo River in Kurume.
Aug62027
Oita Tanabata Festival
One of Oita's largest festivals, with the Funai Pacchin illuminated float parade through the city centre.
Aug132027
Kanmon Straits Fireworks Festival
Fireworks launched from both banks of the Kanmon Straits, between Moji in Kitakyushu and Shimonoseki.
Aug152027
Yamaga Toro Lantern Festival
A thousand women dance with gold paper lanterns on their heads through Yamaga on 15 and 16 August.
Aug282027
Kagoshima Kinko Bay Summer Night Fireworks Festival
About 15,000 fireworks over Kinko Bay at Kagoshima Port, with Sakurajima as the backdrop.
Aug282027
Usuki Stone Buddha Fire Festival
Torchlight festival at the National Treasure Usuki Stone Buddhas, held on the last Saturday of August.
Sep192027
Fujisaki Hachimangu Shrine Autumn Festival
Autumn grand festival of Fujisaki Hachimangu Shrine in Kumamoto City, centred on a Shinko procession with decorated horses.
Oct72027
Nagasaki Kunchi
Autumn festival of Suwa Shrine in Nagasaki City, with dance performances by rotating districts, including dragon dances.
Oct302027
Miyazaki Jingu Grand Festival (Jimmu-sama)
Miyazaki's largest festival, a grand procession re-enacting Emperor Jimmu's eastern expedition from Miyazaki Shrine.