One Year in Fukuoka - Event Calendar
Fukuoka, a city brimming over with charm in every season, sees a diverse array of events held throughout the year. Spring is colored with cherry blossoms and flower festivals, while summer is filled with the excitement of the Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival and fireworks displays. In autumn, festivals for enjoying food and traditional culture are held across the region, while winter sees the city decked in the dazzle and glamor of light-up events and Christmas markets. There are also many events that highlight local characteristics and offer opportunities to interact with the local community, expanding the scope and joys of travel. Please take a look at our event calendar to enjoy Fukuoka throughout the year.
January: Celebrate the start of the new year in style in Fukuoka
January is packed with hatsumode (first shrine visit of the New Year) and new year's events. It is the perfect season for enjoying the gourmet offerings of winter, such as grilled oysters at oyster huts. Strawberry picking gives you an early taste of spring. Snow can accumulate even in central Fukuoka City, so it is necessary to be especially careful in snowy and icy conditions in the mountainous areas of the prefecture.
Average minimum temperature: 5.0°C
Average maximum temperature: 11.6°C
Major Events
| January 3 | Hakozakigu Shrine - Tamatori Festival (Tamaseseri Festival) |
| January 7 | Daizenji Tamataregu Shrine - Oniyo Festival |
| January 7 | Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine - Onisube Ritual / Usokae Ritual |
| January 8 to January 11 | Toka Ebisu Shrine - Toka Ebisu New Year's Grand Festival |
February: Enjoy the hints of spring and Fukuoka's unique winter charm amidst the cold
Risshun marks the beginning of spring in the traditional Japanese calendar. Even though it still feels cold, hints of spring can be felt from February. By late February, plum blossoms and rapeseed flowers begin blooming everywhere. This is also the season when new sake, brewed in the preceding autumn, is ready to make its debut. In conjunction with this, Japanese sake-related events such as kurabiraki (brewery openings) are held across the country.Snow can accumulate even in central Fukuoka City, so it is necessary to be especially careful in snowy and icy conditions in the mountainous areas of the prefecture.
Average minimum temperature: 6.9°C
Average maximum temperature: 13.3°C
Major Events
| Around February 3 | Setsubun Festival (Tochoji Temple, Hakozakigu Shrine, Kashiigu Shrine, Kushida Shrine, etc.) |
| Early February to April | Yanagawa Dolls' Festival Sagemon Meguri |
| Mid-February | Jojima Sakagurabiraki |
| Mid- to late February | Akama-juku Festival |
Flowers to enjoy this month
| From early February | Plum blossoms |
| From mid-February | Rapeseed flowers |
March: With the arrival of spring, experience the new season in Fukuoka
March is when the sunshine starts feeling warmer day by day. In Fukuoka, plum and cherry blossoms begin to bloom, and flower festivals and spring events are held across the region. Get close to nature in the comfortable, pleasant weather, and enjoy the start of a new season.
Average minimum temperature: 8.6°C
Average maximum temperature: 15.2°C
Major Events
| February to March | Iizuka Hina Doll Festival |
| Late March to early April | Nogata Tulip Fair |
Flowers to enjoy this month
| From early March | Rapeseed flowers |
| From early March | Kawazu cherry blossoms |
April: Enjoy spring in Fukuoka with the cherry blossoms in full bloom
In April, when cherry blossoms and wisteria flowers reach their peak, flower-viewing spots in Fukuoka Prefecture bustle with large crowds of visitors. Numerous spring festivals and local events are also held, spreading the glorious atmosphere of spring in full bloom.
Average minimum temperature: 14.5°C
Average maximum temperature: 21.5°C
Major Events
| Early April | Cherry blossom festivals |
| Mid-April | Wisteria festivals |
| Late April | Agano Yaki (Agano Pottery) Spring Pottery Festival |
Flowers to enjoy this month
| Late March to early April | Cherry blossoms, rapeseed flowers |
| Mid-April | Wisteria, nemophila, peonies |
| Late April | Rhododendrons |
May: A season of fresh greenery. Enjoy nature and culture in Fukuoka
Average minimum temperature: 16.3°C
Average maximum temperature: 24.4°C
Major Events
| April to early May | Furusato Onga River Carp Streamer Festival |
| May 3 and 4 | Hakata Dontaku Port Festival |
| Early May | Koishiwara Spring Folk Pottery Village Festival |
| Mid-May | Itoda Gion Yamakasa |
| Mid-May | Fuji Hachimangu Shrine River Crossing Festival |
Flowers and activities to enjoy this month
| May 1 - July 20 | Opening of the etsu fishing season |
| Early May | Clam digging |
| Early May | Roses |
June: Enjoy early summer in Fukuoka during the break in the rainy season
There is no need to worry even during the rainy season. The month of June is filled with hydrangea festivals and indoor events in Fukuoka! Why not take your time to explore museums and art galleries that are enjoyable even on rainy days, or places where you can try your hand at making something? With the start of the harvesting season for blueberries and other produce, you can also enjoy the seasonal flavors.
Average minimum temperature: 20.9°C
Average maximum temperature: 27.7°C
Major Events
| April to late August | Wind Bell Festival |
| Late May to early June | Miyajidake Jinja Iris Festival |
| June 17 to early October | Asakura's Triple Water Wheel in operation |
Flowers to enjoy this month
| Late May to June | Hydrangeas |
| Late May to mid-June | Fireflies |
| From early June | Irises |
July: With summer in full swing, make the most of Fukuoka's festivals and nature
July, which marks the height of summer, is packed with events to help you beat the heat. Tanabata festivals and fireworks displays are just some of the summer traditions held across the region. Blueberries are at their peak, so you can also enjoy picking them yourself.
Average minimum temperature: 27.1°C
Average maximum temperature: 33.8°C
Major Events
| July 1–15 | Hakata Gion Yamakasa |
| Mid-July | Kokura Gion Daiko |
| Mid-July | Omuta Daijyayama (Large Snake Float) Festival |
| Late July | Nogata Summer Festival |
Flowers to enjoy this month
| July | Sunflowers |
| July | Fireworks |
| Early July | Blueberry picking |
| Mid-July | Water play |
August: Enjoy exciting events in the Fukuoka's midsummer heat
August, the height of summer, is jam-packed with large-scale fireworks displays and summer festivals in Fukuoka. It is also peak period for leisure activities at the sea and rivers, making it the perfect season to create summer memories with family and friends.
Average minimum temperature: 27.7°C
Average maximum temperature: 34.8°C
Major Events
| July to late August | Swimming in the sea, river play, pools |
| August 5 | Chikugo River Fireworks Festival |
| August 13 | Kanmon Straits Fireworks Display |
Flowers to enjoy this month
| June to September | Blueberry picking |
| August to September | Grape and Shine Muscat picking |
September: A hint of autumn in Fukuoka despite the lingering summer heat
Amid the lingering heat in September, why not escape to the mountains and valleys to cool down? Autumn festivals and harvest events begin in Fukuoka, gradually signaling the changing seasons.
Average minimum temperature: 25.3°C
Average maximum temperature: 33.3°C
Major Events
| September 12 to 18 | Hakozaki Shrine Hojo-ya |
| Mid-September to first week of October | Kanda Yamakasa |
| September 15 | Hanabi Dorampachi Fireworks Display |
| Late September | &SAKE FUKUOKA |
Flowers to enjoy this month
| September to October | Autumn sunflowers |
October: Enjoy autumn foliage and autumn in Fukuoka
Autumn deepens in October. In Fukuoka, the autumn foliage starts to appear, and autumn festivals and cultural events are held everywhere. Embark on a journey to enjoy nature and culture in the pleasant weather.
Average minimum temperature: 18.7°C
Average maximum temperature: 25.7°C
Major Events
| Early October | Koishiwara Autumn Folk Pottery Village Festival |
| Mid-October | Okawa Woodworking Festival |
| Late October | Agano Ware Autumn Kiln Opening |
| Late October | Kokura Castle Bamboo Lanterns |
Flowers to enjoy this month
| From October | Cosmos |
November: Take in quiet, peaceful moments in Fukuoka's late autumn season
Late autumn in November sees Fukuoka's autumn foliage at its peak, so you can fully immerse yourself in the beauty of nature. We also recommend soothing your mind and body in a warm hot spring. Have a relaxing time while savoring the end of autumn.
Average minimum temperature: 12.8°C
Average maximum temperature: 19.2°C
Major Events
| Late October to mid-November | Ashiya Sand Sculpture Exhibition |
| November 1 to 3 | Hakushu Festival |
| Mid-November | Gingko trees in Taibaru |
Flowers to enjoy this month
| From early November | Light-up events |
| From mid-November | Autumn foliage & ginkgo trees |
December: As winter arrives, enjoy heartwarming moments in Fukuoka
Winter draws ever nearer in December. In Fukuoka, light-up events and Christmas markets are held throughout the city, painting the streets with dazzling colors. Spend these year-end moments with heartwarming events.
Average minimum temperature: 6.0°C
Average maximum temperature: 12.3°C
Major Events
| November to December 25 | Christmas Advent |
| December | Oyster Hut |
| Mid-December | Christmas events |
Flowers to enjoy this month
| Till early December | Autumn foliage |
| December | light-up events |
Reference for average monthly temperatures: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Japan Meteorological Agency, 2024 meteorological data