Kyushu autumn & winter events: festivals, autumn leaves and illuminations 2026–2027
Hot-air balloons over Saga, Kagoshima's Ohara Festival, the autumn-leaf light-up at Mifuneyama Rakuen, Huis Ten Bosch's winter lights, the Christmas market in front of Hakata Station and the Nagasaki Lantern Festival: Kyushu's autumn and winter events with this season's dates in one place.
Where to stay
Events by date (7)
Saga / Saga City
Saga International Balloon Fiesta
Fri, October 30, 2026 – Tue, November 3
Saga / Karatsu
Karatsu Kunchi
Mon, November 2, 2026 – Wed, November 4
Culture
Kagoshima / Tenmonkan
Kagoshima Ohara Festival 2026
Mon, November 2, 2026 – Tue, November 3
Nagasaki / Sasebo
Huis Ten Bosch: The Starlight Million
Fri, November 6, 2026 – Thu, February 25, 2027
Nature
Saga / Takeo
Mifuneyama Rakuen Autumn Leaves Festival 2026
Fri, November 6, 2026 – Sun, December 6
Fukuoka / Hakata
Christmas Market in Hikari no Machi Hakata 2026
Sat, November 7, 2026 – Fri, December 25
Nagasaki / Shinchi Chinatown
Nagasaki Lantern Festival
Fri, February 5, 2027 – Sun, February 21
Good to know
- Saga, Karatsu, Takeo and Huis Ten Bosch are easy day trips from Fukuoka (Hakata) by train.
- Early November is festival season, so book hotels in Saga and Kagoshima early.
- Kyushu's winters are mild compared with northern Japan, but evenings outdoors still call for a warm jacket.