Japanese Moon Viewing

Join Cheekwood for Otsukimi, the 12th annual Japanese Moon Viewing festival—an evening celebrating Japanese culture under the moonlight. From 4 to 9 p.m., your family can experience tea ceremonies with live shakuhachi flute music, watch taiko drumming performances, and enjoy a kimono fashion show. Kids will love hands-on activities like mochi pounding, Japanese calligraphy, creating paper crafts, and exploring the beautiful Blevins Japanese Garden on guided tours. You'll also find bonsai displays, an ikebana flower demonstration, and a vendor marketplace with food trucks and handcrafted goods. This event, produced in partnership with the Consulate General of Japan and the Japan-America Society of Tennessee, offers something for every age. Timed-entry tickets are required for all guests, so plan ahead—parking can fill up during the festival, and walk-up tickets become rideshare-only once capacity is reached. The schedule is packed with performances and activities throughout the evening, so families can pick and choose what interests them most.