JAPAN FEST
Saturday, May 16 & Sunday, May 17
12pm - 9pm | Urban District Market
Hosted by: Urban District Market, Seoul Food Meat Co, and the Japanese Association in Charlotte
Address: 2315 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205
Cost: Free! Open to all ages.
What to expect:
- Matsuri Games
- Raffle Prizes (List of 2026 winners!)
- Live Music
- Martial Arts Performances
- Japanese Food and Drinks
- Origami
-Traditional Yukata try-on
- Anime and Gashapon
- Japanese Market Vendors
- Cosplay Contest
- Karaoke Contest
Questions? Please visit our FAQ page.
Get Involved
**Karaoke Contest and Cosplay Contest online registration is now closed**
If you’d still like to participate, sign-ups will be available at the Japan Fest Welcome Tent for Karaoke (Saturday, Sunday) and Cosplay (Sunday).
"JAPAN FEST is dedicated to offer the ever growing city of Charlotte an immersive experience of diverse traditions, arts and cuisines of Japan through engaging activities, captivating performances and cultural displays."
- Urban District Market
and Seoul Food Meat Co
*Japan Fest 2025 - Photos by j.elle harris (@elle_note)
クイーン・シティ祭り
2026 Schedule of Events
Saturday, May 16
12pm - Matsuri games, cultural stations, and Japan Fest vendor market begins! Welcome by Consul General Kenichi Matsuda.
12:30pm - Aikido of Charlotte
1pm - Tea Ceremony by Riki (inside Seoul Food)
1:30pm - Japanese Bon Odori Dance
2pm - Charlotte Kendo Club (courtyard) and Sake Class (inside UDM)
2:30pm - J-pop Dance by Hana Akari (courtyard)
2:45pm - Tea Ceremony by Riki (inside Seoul Food)
3pm - Ikebana Demo by Takako
3:30pm - S.A.I.L. Dance and Taiko Drums
4pm - Japanese Songs by Ento/Raki
4:30pm - Japanese Bon Odori Dance
5pm - Kids Karaoke Singalong! Cultural stations end.
6pm - Adults Karaoke Contest (age 14+)
7pm - Japan Fest vendor market ends.
8pm - Matsuri games ends.
8:30pm - Movie - “Castle in the Sky”
Sunday, May 17
12pm - Matsuri games, cultural stations, and Japan Fest vendor market begins! Welcome by Akinori Ogata, Professional NASCAR Driver.
12:30pm - Chorus Performance by Japanese Language School and Japanese Bon Odori Dance
1pm - Ikebana Demo by Chie
1:30pm - Soran Bushi Dance and Japanese Bon Odori Dance (courtyard)
1:45pm - Tea Ceremony by Riki (inside Seoul Food)
2pm - Japanese Songs by Ento/Raki (courtyard) and Sake Class (inside UDM)
2:30pm - J-pop Dance by Hana Akari (courtyard)
2:45pm - Tea Ceremony by Riki (inside Seoul Food)
3pm - Japanese Songs by Naoko
3:30pm - Raffle Prize Drawing
4pm - Cosplay Contest
5pm - Kids Karaoke Singalong! Cultural stations end.
6pm - Adults Karaoke Contest (age 14+)
7pm - Japan Fest vendor market ends.
8pm - Matsuri games end.
8:30pm - Movie - “Princess Mononoke”
Follow @urbandistrictmarket and @seoulfoodmeatco for updates.
Add the 2026 Japan Fest to your calendar:
Eventbrite
Facebook
UDM Calendar
*For Media requests and other questions - udmmilldistrict@gmail.com