Tokyo’s Heaven Artist program certifies street performers, who normally play in parks and other public spaces across the city. Once a year they gather in one place, and this time it is Ueno Park (上野恩賜公園). About 140 acts will perform over three days, from Friday, October 23 to Sunday, October 25, 2026.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government (東京都) announced the lineup size and schedule on October 21. According to the organizers, admission is free and you can just drop by. Below are the hours for each day, what kinds of acts to expect and where to find the live timetable.
What Heaven Artist TOKYO is
Heaven Artists are performers registered with a Tokyo program that lets them perform in parks and other places around the city. About 500 acts are registered in total. Heaven Artist TOKYO is the one time a year when so many of them perform together in the same place.
This year, roughly 140 of those acts are on the bill. That is a lot of variety in one park, so it works well for a casual walk as much as a planned day out.
Dates, hours and event details
The hours are not the same every day. Friday starts later, and Sunday runs a little longer.
| Day | Date | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Friday | October 23 | 11:30–16:00 |
| Saturday | October 24 | 11:00–16:00 |
| Sunday | October 25 | 11:00–16:30 |
| Event | Heaven Artist TOKYO 2026 (ヘブンアーティストTOKYO 2026) |
|---|---|
| Venue | Ueno Park |
| Dates | October 23–25, 2026 (hours in the table above) |
| Performers | About 140 Heaven Artist acts (out of about 500 registered) |
| Viewing | The organizers say you can watch freely |
| Producer | Michiko Tanaka (Representative Director, Setouchi Circus Factory) |
| Organizer | Tokyo Metropolitan Government; Arts Council Tokyo (アーツカウンシル東京), Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture |
| Inquiries | Arts Council Tokyo, Heaven Artist program desk 03-6256-8246 |
What you will see
The lineup covers a wide range of styles. The organizers list these genres, among others:
- Live music
- Juggling
- Acrobatics
- Magic
- Comedy
- Traditional Japanese arts
Traditional Japanese performing arts sit next to circus skills and music, so you can see quite different acts within a short walk. If you are new to Japan, this is an easy way to catch traditional styles without buying a theater ticket.
Tips for planning your visit
- Check the timetable first. The day’s schedule and the performer list are posted in the News (新着情報) section of the Heaven Artist website. Start from Tokyo’s official Heaven Artist page.
- Mind the different hours. On Friday, nothing starts before 11:30. Sunday is the longest day, running until 16:30.
- Watch the weather. If rain is forecast, look at the official information again before you leave home, since the schedule can change.
- Keep your phone charged. Checking the timetable and filming acts all afternoon drains the battery fast. Our guide to free ChargeSPOT power bank rentals with d VALUE PASS shows one way to avoid paying for a top-up.
Part of ARTE TOKYO
Heaven Artist TOKYO 2026 is a partner program of ARTE TOKYO, the Tokyo International Festival of Arts and Culture (東京国際文化芸術祭). Other programs under the same banner are listed on the ARTE TOKYO official website.
FAQ
- Q. Do I need a ticket to watch?
- The organizers say you can watch the performances freely. The announcement does not mention tickets, so check the official Heaven Artist page if you want to be sure before you go.
- Q. What are the hours on each day?
- Friday, October 23 runs from 11:30 to 16:00. Saturday, October 24 runs from 11:00 to 16:00. Sunday, October 25 runs from 11:00 to 16:30.
- Q. Where can I find the timetable and the list of performers?
- They are posted in the News section of the Heaven Artist website. Check it on the day you plan to go.
- Q. What happens if it rains?
- The timetable may change because of the weather or other unavoidable circumstances. Check the official information before you head out.
- Q. Who are the Heaven Artists?
- They are performers registered with a Tokyo program who usually perform in parks and other spots around the city. About 500 acts are registered, and about 140 of them appear at this event over three days.
Source: Tokyo Metropolitan Government, press release (October 21, 2026). Details are as announced and may change. Please confirm the latest information on the official page.