Japanese Fall Festival returns to EXPO New Mexico with Asian art, food, music and culture

By Sara Atencio-Gonzales, The Paper. – Japanese culture, food, art and live performances will come together in Albuquerque this September as the Aki Matsuri Japanese Fall Festival returns to EXPO New Mexico.

Presented by the New Mexico Japanese American Citizens League, Aki Matsuri is an annual celebration that gives New Mexicans an opportunity to experience Japanese and Japanese-American culture. The festival has grown from gatherings organized by Japanese-American families in New Mexico into a large community event featuring entertainment, food, arts and cultural traditions. 

Visitors to this year’s festival can expect a variety of traditional Japanese performances and demonstrations. Taiko drumming, a style of Japanese percussion known for its large drums and energetic performances, is among the activities planned for the event. The festival will also feature ikebana flower arranging, traditional Japanese performances and Japanese foods and treats, including mochi. 

Artists, performers and other participants have long played a central role in Aki Matsuri. The festival brings together guests and performers from New Mexico and beyond, with previous celebrations showcasing dance, song, music, martial arts, arts and crafts and other forms of Japanese cultural expression. EXPO New Mexico also provides an indoor Art Exhibit Hall for displays and demonstrations alongside areas for vendors and performances. 

This year’s theme is “Momiji,” or Japanese maple, with a focus on “The Art of Autumn’s Beauty and Harmony Between Nature and Human Life.” The autumn theme ties into the festival’s name itself. “Aki” means fall in Japanese, while “matsuri” means festival. 

Beyond providing a day of entertainment, Aki Matsuri supports the broader work of NMJACL. Proceeds help the organization document the history of Japanese-American internment in New Mexico and the Southwest and support its goal of establishing a Japanese Cultural Center in Albuquerque. The proposed center would provide a place to preserve and share Japanese-American artifacts, history, culture and heritage with future generations. 

The 2026 Aki Matsuri Japanese Fall Festival will take place Sunday, Sept. 27, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at EXPO New Mexico (300 San Pedro Dr. NE). More information about the festival can be found at nmjacl.org.