Belle Isle Koi Festival

The Belle Isle Conservency hosts the 2023 Koi Festival at the Belle Isle Aquarium from 12-4 p.m. May 6-7, featuring family activities, entertainment, Japanese games, music performance and more. 

SATURDAY, MAY 6 | 12-4 p.m.

• “Make and Take” Mini Ikebana | Hosted by: Ikebana International Detroit Chapter 85 (activity available while supplies last)
• Kamizumo: Paper Sumo Wrestling | Hosted by: Great Lakes JET Alumni Association
• Story Time: Yasuko and the Dream Eater with author A. Kidd | 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.​
• Japanese Games and Activities | Hosted by: Belle Isle Conservancy

SUNDAY, MAY 7, 2023 | 12-4 p.m.

• Musical Performances by: Sakura Japanese Instrumental Group (12 – 12:30 p.m.), Ensemble Hanabi (1 – 1:30 p.m.), Great Lakes Taiko (3 – 3:30 p.m.)
• Kamishibai: Paper Theater Story Time | Hosted by: JSD Women’s Club | 2 – 2:30 p.m.
• Kamizumo: Paper Sumo Wrestling | Hosted by: Great Lakes JET Alumni Association
• ​​Japanese Games and Activities | Hosted by: Belle Isle Conservancy

Support for the festival is provided by:

Special thanks to the Japanese Business Society of Detroit, Japan Society of Detroit Women’s Club, Great Lakes JET Alumni Association, and Ikebana International Detroit Chapter 85 for their support of the 2023 Belle Isle Koi Festival.

About the Koi Festival:

In 2017, the Belle Isle Conservancy hosted the first Koi Festival at the Belle Isle Aquarium.
The Koi Festival is a family-friendly event that brings the community together to celebrate the Japanese 
heritage of the Aquarium’s Koi collection.

In alignment with Children’s Day, which is celebrated in Japan on the 5th of May, the Koi Festival celebrates the symbolism of the Japanese carp in its native culture and offers aquarium visitors a chance to experience elements of Japanese culture. Past activities have included traditional games, martial arts demonstrations, music, and crafts inspired by Japanese traditions along with a selection of Japanese-inspired cuisine.