If held in 2026, the Kamakura Beach Festa will celebrate its 25th edition, marking a significant milestone for one of Kamakura’s most beloved seaside events.
At the same time, the Kamakura Citizens’ Carnival — which would reach its 7th edition if held this year — is expected to take place alongside the Beach Festa, creating a vibrant joint celebration.
Schedule
▶The Kamakura Beach Festa
May 23 (Sat) – May 24 (Sun), 2026
10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Sunday until 4:00 PM
Place：Yuigahama Beach / Kamakura kaihin Park
We recommend checking the event brochure in advance and planning your schedule around the programs you’d like to see!
It will be introduced in the 2025 pamphlet.
Main stage
You can enjoy the results of everyone’s hard work and daily practice, including hula dancing, beach live music, traditional Japanese taiko drumming, Yosakoi performances, and beautiful vocal harmonies.
Watching these energetic performances might even inspire you to give it a try yourself!
Beaches
There are plenty of interactive activities and attractions for children, including sand sculpture making, soccer target shooting, and riding a miniature police motorcycle.
Police officers are also on duty, so parents can rest assured while their children are having fun.
Across National Route 134, Kamakura Seaside Park (Yuigahama area) offers even more family-friendly activities. There are plenty of activities for children, including a ride on a miniature train modeled after the Enoshima Electric Railway and a chance to try out a Strider (a pedal-less bicycle) for children aged 18 months to preschoolers.
With so much to see, do, and experience, this weekend is packed with beachside fun for the whole family!
Food stalls and festival booths
You’ll find plenty of delicious options such as yakisoba, takoyaki, yakitori, as well as beer, highballs, and many other tasty treats. There’s something for everyone to enjoy while soaking up the lively beach atmosphere.
Garbage bins are placed throughout the venue and are cleared regularly, making it a very clean and thoughtfully organized event. It’s a friendly and well-managed festival where everyone can relax and have a great time.
👉 Kamakura City Tourist Association「鎌倉ビーチフェスタ情報」
▶The Kamakura Citizens’ Carnival
In 2025, the parade will be held from 11:15 to 12:15.
The parade starts at Kamakura City Hall, loops around the west exit of Kamakura station and makes its way through Onari Street Shopping District. After turning right at the Geba intersection, it heads straight toward the beach.The route is approximately 1.7 kilometers, and participants stroll along at a relaxed pace, enjoying the festive atmosphere all the way to the seaside.
I recommend walking to the beach together.
If you would like to join the parade in costume, advance registration is required — but participation is free of charge.
Informatio 👉 鎌倉市民カーニバル実行委員会 (2026year）
Caution
①Watch out for black kites!
Kamakura’s beaches are home to many “tonbi” (black kites), so be careful when eating outdoors.
It’s important to cover your food while eating or keep moving it in your hand. I once had a piece of bread snatched right out of my hand—if I hadn’t been careful, I could have even been hurt!・・・(T T)
②Bring sunscreen and sunglasses!
Even on cloudy days, you can get sunburned at the beach, so make sure your sunscreen protection is thorough！🌞
The sun can be strong, and windy conditions can blow sand around, so sunglasses are also a must-have!😎
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Kamakura Beach Festa
The CCi (headed by President Haruhiko Kubota, in partnership with Toshimaya) serves as the secretariat for the Beach Festa.
They also organize events like the Kamakura Certification Test, so be sure to check out their website for more information!
Information 👉Chamber of Commerce and Industry「 鎌倉商工会議所ホームページ」
The Kamakura Citizens’ Carnival
The idea for the Kamakura Carnival was originally conceived by Jirō Osaragi. Inspired by France’s traditional carnival, he and other writers living in Kamakura wanted to brighten the town and its people, which were still overshadowed by the dark atmosphere of war.
The carnival became a beloved summer tradition in Kamakura, running from 1934 (Showa 9) to 1962 (Showa 37).
👉鎌倉カーニバル 神奈川＜時の話題＞ 日本ニュース戦後編 第１３６号 昭和２３年８月１７日
Footage from the event in 1948 (Showa 23) is available in the NHK Archives, lasting 39 seconds, giving a rare glimpse into this historic festival.
👉 Kamakura City Tourist Association「The Kamakura Citizens’ Carnival」
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