Tanabata Japanese Star Festival

Join us for a day of wonder inspired by the legend of two star-crossed lovers, with festive decorations, cultural activities, and written wishes!

Event Date
Sunday, August 3, 2025
Event Date
Sun
,
Aug
3
Sun
,
Aug
3
,
2025
Event Time
9:00 am
6:00 pm
9:00 am
6:00 pm
*The Museum opens at noon on Sundays.
Ages
All Ages
Admission
General Admission
Location
Accessibility
See Accessibility
About the Event
TANABATA FESTIVAL IS IN COLLABORATION WITH THE JAPANESE CONSULATE IN HOUSTON AND JAPAN AMERICA SOCIETY IN HOUSTON (JASH)

SPONSORED IN PART BY HOUSTON ARTS ALLIANCE

WHAT'S HAPPENING

Welcome Area: Children will be informed about the Tanabata event, can have their photo taken as a Tanabata character, and will receive a “passport” to collect stamps from each table of the event.

When: From 9 am to 2 pm in New Kid's Hall

Craft Tables:

Station 1: Kirigami: Children will use safety scissors to cut paper into a Tanabata decoration. They will hang the decorations from rope or bamboo.

Station 2: Tanzaku: Children will write a wish on a strip of paper and hang it from bamboo.

Station 3: Origami: Children will make an origami magpie as part of the Tanabata myth. They will then hang the magpie on a tapestry.

When: From 9 am to 2 pm in New Kid's Hall

Kendama: Learn how play kendama, a traditional Japanese cup-and-ball toy. See a kendama expert perform amazing tricks!

When: At 10 am and noon in the Parent Resource Library

"Star Festival" Storytimes: Join us for a special reading of The Star Festival, a story about family, wishes, and the legendary reunion of star-crossed lovers Orihime and Hikoboshi.

When: At 10:30 am, 12:30, and 3:30 pm in Kaleidoscope

Japanese Storytelling: Enjoy Kamishiba: an interactive Japanese storytelling experience to learn the story of the Tanabata Festival!

When: At 11 am and 1 pm in the Parent Resource Library

Tissue Paper Stars: Celebrate Tanabata, Japan's colorful festival of stars and wishes, by making a multicolored star and adding your own wish to the Wish TRee in honor of a celestial love story told for over 1,000 years.

When: All Day in Kaleidoscope
No items found.
Event Date
Sunday, August 3, 2025
Event Date
Sun
Aug
3
-  
Sun
Aug
3
2025
Event Time
9:00 am
-
6:00 pm
9:00 am
6:00 pm
Ages
All Ages
Admission
General Admission
Location
Disability Accessibility
CONSIDER WEARING A MASK
Please consider wearing a mask. Feeling sick? Come back when you feel better. Exposed to someone with COVID in the last 7 days? Please visit us another day. We remain committed to the safety of children, visitors, and our staff and follow CDC guidelines.
Thank You to Our Event Partner
No items found.
Thank You to Our Event Sponsor

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