Why You Should Visit
Born in 1971 from the merger of the historic 'Minato no Matsuri' and the 'Kobe Carnival', this is Kobe's largest civic festival. Held every year on the third Sunday of May around Sannomiya and the Waterfront area, the festival fills the city with parades, stage performances, and lively celebrations. The 53rd edition takes place on Sunday, May 17, 2026, with the parade starting from Kyomachi-suji street.
Photo Gallery





Programs
Timetable & Map
News
53rd Kobe Festival 2026: Free Parade, Stages & Street Food on May 17 (Sun)
このイベントをもっと詳しく
Essentials
- location
- Sannomiya Former Foreign Settlement & Waterfront Area
- period
- May 17, 2026 (Sun)
- Time
- 11:00–16:30
- cost
- Free
- Links
- access
- 5-min walk from Sannomiya or Motomachi Station
- NOTE
- 【District Festivals (May 9–30)】
May 9 (Sat) Higashinada: Higashinada Uhara Festival (Sumiyoshi Park, 10:30–17:00)
May 16 (Sat) Chuo: Fureau Chuo Carnival 2026 (Higashi Yuenchi, 11:00–16:00) / Hyogo: Happi Hiroba (Minatogawa Park, 11:00–17:00) / Tarumi: Tarumikko Festival 2026 (Maiko Park, 10:00–17:00)
May 23 (Sat) Nagata: Nagata Festival (Wakamatsu Park, 11:00–16:00) / Suma: Suma Music no Mori (Suma Rikyu Park, 11:00–17:00) / Nishi: Nishi Midori & Taiyou Festival (Plenty Plaza, 12:00–17:00)
May 30 (Sat) Nada: Rokko Family Festival (Ojikoen, 11:00–17:00) / Kita: Kitakita Festival (Arima Hall, 11:30–17:00)
【Other Related Events】
May 10 (Sun): Kobe Port Cutter Race 8:00–16:00 | West of Shinko Pier No.1
May 13 (Wed): Harbor Ceremony (morning) | Kobe Port Oasis
出典: 神戸まつり 公式
FAQ
Is there an admission fee for the Kobe Festival?
What is the parade route?
How do I get there?
What happens if it rains?
Calendar
Add it to your calendar so you can check back on it later.
Events
Events nearby & around the same time
Other events happening around the same time or in a similar area.

9/6
VAMOS Ninomiya Autumn Festival 2026
Ninomiya Shopping Street and surrounding area (Chuo-ku, Kobe)

10/3 - 10/4
KOBE AUTUMN FESTIVAL 2026
Sannomiya Central Street to the Waterfront (pedestrian zone)

7/23 - 9/6
Zoo Exhibition @ KOBE SUBWAY MUSEUM
All 10 stations on the Kobe Municipal Subway Kaigan Line (incl. Sannomiya-Hanadokeimae)

7/29 - 8/3
Discover! Family Stationery Marché 2026 by YURINDO
Kobe Hankyu, Main Bldg. 9F Event Hall

8/1
48th Ashiya Summer Carnival Fireworks Cruise: Awa no Kai – Franciacorta Trilogy Episode II
Kobe Resort Cruise boh boh KOBE
Related
People who read this also read
- Local Buzz
Daimaru Kobe 'Kyo-Kyoryuchi Beer Garden' 2026 — Pick Your Length: 60, 120, or 180 Minutes, From April 22
Daimaru Kobe runs its Kyo-Kyoryuchi Beer Garden from April 22 to October 13, 2026. The new format lets you choose a 60-, 120-, or 180-minute slot from 3,800 to 7,000 yen (general), with around 30 dishes and 40 drinks across the 10th-floor Pizza House Italico and the 11th-floor open terrace.
- Local Buzz
Sora no Beer Garden 2026 at Kobe Kokusai Kaikan — Rooftop, May 29 – Nov 1, From 3,900 Yen
TOOTH TOOTH's rooftop 'Sora no Beer Garden' runs May 29 to November 1, 2026 on the 11th-floor terrace of Kobe Kokusai Kaikan. Around 25 dishes all-you-can-eat plus around 60 drinks free-flow across four plans from 3,900 to 6,500 yen, with a summer 'Vacance Night' theme and an autumn 'Beer Harvest Market' theme.
- Local Buzz
TOOTH MART 'Sea Beer Garden 2026' Opens Apr 23 — BBQ Terrace & Aquarium View in Kobe Port Museum
TOOTH MART, the food hall on the 1st floor of Kobe Port Museum, runs its 'Sea Beer Garden 2026' from April 23 to October 31, 2026. Choose between an open-air BBQ terrace or indoor seats overlooking átoa's giant aquarium. Plans with free-flow drinks start from 5,700 yen.
- Local Buzz
Bakery Beer Garden at TOOTH TOOTH FISH IN THE FOREST — 10 Breads + 90-min Free-Flow Drinks Starting May 26
The bakery cafe TOOTH TOOTH FISH IN THE FOREST on Meriken Park launches its summer-only Bakery Beer Garden from May 26, 2026. A 5,000-yen plan pairs 90-min free-flow drinks with 10 kinds of all-you-can-eat bread and roasted Kobe pork.
- Events
NIGHT PICNIC 2026 Opens May 26 — Four Nights in Kobe's Higashi Yuenchi Park
NIGHT PICNIC 2026 takes place May 26–29 at Higashi Yuenchi Park in Sannomiya, Kobe. Themed 'Dress code: unguarded,' 58 rotating food vendors and 13 programs light up the night park. Free admission. A pre-opening preview.
Events
What to do in Kobe this weekend?

7/1 - 7/29
Ultraman × Kobe Port Tower | 60th Anniversary Collaboration
Kobe Port Tower

7/11 - 8/30
Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens GARDEN FEST 2026 -Summer-
Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens & Ropeway

7/24 - 8/16
Arima Ryofu Beer Garden 2026
Arima Shinsui Hiroba

7/24 - 7/29
Summer Holiday Smile Marche at Canal Town Plaza, JR Hyogo Station
Canal Town Plaza, in front of JR Hyogo Station
7/28
43rd Motomachi Night Market
Kobe Motomachi Shopping Street (entire area)

7/28 - 8/3
NIGHT PICNIC 2026
Higashi Yuenchi Park
近くのスポット
spotsExplore





