If you happen to be in the Chicago area this weekend, you are in luck! Chicago Japanese Matsuri 2019 is taking place at the Newcity Plaza, and admission is free to the public! This family friendly festival offers a rich selection of traditional Japanese culture, shopping, food, and entertainment. So put on your authentic Japanese kimono and head to the festival!

Offical Site: https://www.chicagomatsuri.com/

Address: 1457 N Halsted St, Chicago IL 60642

Admission: FREE

Friday 9.20

3 – 4 pm | Alexander Staples | Anime Music DJ

4:15 – 5 pm | Taiko (Tsukasa Taiko)

5 – 8 pm |Van Paugam | 70s and 80s vinyl (City Pop)

Saturday 9.21

11 AM | Iaido Swordsmanship (Mugai Ryu Iaido)
11:30 AM | Karate (JKA Chicago)
12 PM | Aikido (Aikido Association of America) & Chado Urasenke Tankokai Chicago Association Tea Ceremony Performance (Inside)
12:30 PM | Cosplay Contest (Anime Chicago)
1 PM | Koto (Tokiko Kimura)
2 PM | Taiko (Tsukasa Taiko) &  Hekiun Oda Calligraphy Performance (Inside)
3 PM | Sumi-e (Patricia Larkin Green) & Chado Urasenke Tankokai Chicago Association Tea Ceremony Performance (Inside)
4 PM | BATSU! Chicago (Comedy Show)
5 – 8 PM | Euphor Collective (Contemporary Japanese Music DJs)

Sunday 9.22

11 AM | Iaido Swordsmanship (Mugai Ryu Iaido)
12 PM | Shurikenjutsu (Chicago Keikokai Meifu Shinkage Ryu) & Chado Urasenke Tankokai Chicago Association Tea Ceremony Performance (Inside)
12:30 PM | Aikido (Aikido Association of America)1 PM | Koto (Tokiko Kimura)
2 PM | Kizuki Ramen Eating Contest3 PM | Chado Urasenke Tankokai Chicago Association Tea Ceremony Performance (Inside)3:30 PM | Large Scale Shodo / Calligraphy (Seiran Chiba Sensei)
4 PM | Taiko (Tsukasa Taiko)

Artist’s Booths and Vendors: ACEN | AnimeChicago | Ariyama Studio | Chicago Chapter of the Ikenobo Ikebana Society | Crizltron (Art) | Daisho Con | Fred Follansbee (Ceramics) | GEN-J Grassroots Exchange Network | Hidden Treasures | IACE Travel | Intercultural Montessori Language School | Itasha Car Display | Japan America Society of Chicago | Japanese American Service Committee | Japanese Arts Foundation | Japanese Culture Center | Japan Information Center, Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago | JETAA Chicago |Kandy | Kinokuniya | Ohio Kimono | K-Mama Sauce | KiKi’s T House | Kristyn Ivey (Certified Marie Kondo Consultant) | Mori wa Umi no Koibito | Osaka Sister City Committee | PAWS Chicago | Reiko Takahashi (supported by the Illinois Prairie Chapter of Ikenobo Ikebana) | Seiran Chiba Sensei (Shodo) | Shiseido | Teagschwendner | Tensuke Market | TOTO | Wrightwood 659 | Yuko Inoue Darcy (Ohara School of Ikebana)